The local chapter of Kiwanis International had members in the streets and outside of businesses today collecting donations for its annual peanut sales.

Kiwanis is an international organization that is dedicated to improving the lives of children.

Sarah Linn, former president and peanut chair of Zanesville Kiwanis, said that each year the local organization raises approximately $9,000 from their “street sales.” An additional $7,000, approximately, will come from the corporate end of the organization as mailing sales are sent out to local businesses and sponsors.

For $100, a business can buy a box of peanuts to benefit the community initiatives that Kiwanis sponsors.

About 60 people were out Friday from both high school Key Clubs and the Kiwanus chapter on Brandywine Boulevard, Bell Street, outside of Pick and Save and outside of the Walmarts in both north and south Zanesville.

Members will also be at those same locations throughout the day Saturday to continue the fundraiser.

Linn, who has been with the organization for five years, said that Key Club members from West Muskingum, Zanesville, Bishop Rosecrans, Maysville and Philo high schools were participating.

“I was a key-cluber in high school, so it made sense just to transition into Kiwanis,” Linn said.

Sean Fennell, a member of the local Zanesville Kiwanis club, is newer to the organization but was excited to be out raising money for its largest fundraiser of the year.

“This is actually my first peanut sale, so it’s a very exciting day,” Fennell said. “I like to be a part of it, it’s fun to be out in the community and volunteer with our Key Club members, as well.”

The money raised during fundraisers like the peanut sales goes toward local partners in the community, like programs at the Carr Center, as well as annual events such as the Christmas party that sponsors 60 underprivileged children in the community and much more.