ROCHELLE – The Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K is asking the community for its support during its upcoming annual Peanut Days.
This year’s Peanut Days will take place on Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 at the post office downtown, Walgreens and Stock and Field. Golden K representatives will be set up taking any amount of donations from community members in exchange for a bag of Planters peanuts.
“We would be glad to give a bag of peanuts to anybody that is around,” said Bill Paulin, Golden K treasurer and Peanut Days co-chair. “Even if they cannot afford to donate, we would still be glad to give them a bag of peanuts.”

Golden K has been hosting Peanut Days since its origin in 1951, when two Golden K members were enjoying peanuts at a Cubs game together. While eating, the two members thought to themselves that they could buy bags of peanuts and sell them as a fundraiser.
Since then, Peanut Days has become an annual fundraising event for many Golden K organizations throughout the country. The motto of the Golden K is helping the children of the world, specifically within its own community.
The Rochelle Golden K helps by awarding scholarships and funding many local children’s organizations including Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Focus House and HOPE of Ogle County just to name a few. All of the funds earned throughout Peanut Days will be donated to these organizations. With the effects of COVID-19, this year is more important than ever.  
“A couple of our big fundraising events had to be cancelled this year due to the virus,” Paulin said. “So we are depending on this to tide us over and help us continue the support of those organizations.”
The Golden K is also planning more Hot Dog Days in the near future and more information and dates will be released when finalized. Anybody that would like to donate to the golden K other than through its Peanut Days can do so by mail at Rochelle Kiwanis Golden K, P.O. Box 644, Rochelle, IL 61068.