Kiwanis Club Bring Up Grades ProgramFelix Rippy

Introduction• From 1994 until 2015, Indiana attorney Felix Rippy was a

partner with Rippy Law Firm, where he handled family law cases. For much of this period, he was also part of the Kiwanis Club and for over a Decade served as President of the Round Rock, Texas Morning Sunrisers Kiwanis Club. Through the support and participation of people like Felix Rippy, Kiwanis Clubs around the world engage in several forms of community service.

One major initiative common to most Kiwanis Clubs is the Bring Up Grades (BUG) program, which reaches out to students facing academic difficulties. Students who raise previously unacceptable grades and then continue to maintain or improve on that increase receive various prizes and forms of recognition.

Kiwanis Club• Clubs provide support through both mentoring and

direct financial aid to the school. Some Kiwanis Clubs operate their BUG programs through local community centers or other youth organizations rather than directly through schools.

In addition, local businesses often get involved with these programs through various forms of partnership. Some provide in-kind donations, such as giveaways, coupons, or food, while others host celebrations and events directly. In exchange, sponsoring businesses receive promotional consideration in BUG program materials.