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History of the La Cañada Kiwanis Club

he La Canada Kiwanis Club was founded October 3, 1948. Early meetings were held in Rudy’s Cafe, the Thursday club, Chef's Inn, La Canada Country Club, and Brookside Restaurant. Since 1985 they have been meeting in Van de Kamp Hall Descanso Gardens. Currently the membership is 100, consisting of business and professional men and women, active or retired

Some of the earliest activities included annual community fairs on the vacant land at Foothill and Indianola. Proceeds from these were donated to the budding YMCA as a major contribution towards their first swimming pool.

In 1960 they embarked on their first Travelogue Series, still their main fund raiser. This is an annual series, of six travel films narrated in person by their producers, currently presented in the High School Auditorium.

In 1969 the club under President Don Ziehl spear-headed the idea of a La Canada Rose Float and has been a major contributor ever since. Annually they hold a Rabies Clinic, a Fiesta Days Barbecue, a special program welcoming the new teachers in our schools, and a program honoring the Rose queen and Court.

This club sponsors two Key Clubs, at Flintridge Prep and La Canada High School. These clubs give the youth the opportunity to practice good citizenship and community service. The Kiwanis Club also sponsors a Builders Club and a K-Kids Club, which are equivalent to Key Clubs in the Middle and Elementary Schools respectively.

In 1993 this club sponsored the La Canada AM club to accommodate residents who favor a morning meeting time. They meet Wednesday mornings in the Verdugo Hills Hospital Cafeteria.

A Brief History of Kiwanis

iwanis was founded January 21, 1915 In Detroit Michigan by a group of men who merely wanted to trade with each other Hence their motto "We trade". They soon realized how narrow was their vision and changed to "We Build", Their motto is now "Serving the Children of the World". In 1921 the first club was formed in California which, together with Nevada and Hawaii has become the most populous district of all Kiwanis.

In 1982 Kiwanis became truly "International" with its first foreign club, Vienna. Since then it has become established in 70 nations, six continents, and a total membership of over 600,000, including the sponsored youth. In 1987 a momentous step was taken, allowing women to be members, one of whom, Teri Newman, was the Governor of the California District.

The first Key Club was formed in California in 1947. This was an organization at the high school level to give students the opportunity to gain leadership ability, community service ,and good citizenship. It was followed in 1955 with "Circle K" clubs in colleges, with "Builders Clubs" in Middle Schools, and "K-Kids" in the elementary schools.

The following "Objects of Kiwanis" were adopted in 1924 and remain unchanged ever since:

  • To give primacy to the human and spiritual rather than the material values of life.

  • To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule In all human relationships.

  • To promote the adoption and application of higher social, business, and professional standards.

  • To develop by precept and example a more Intelligent, aggressive and serviceable citizenship.

  • To provide through Kiwanis Clubs a more practical means to form enduring friendships, to render altruistic service, and to build better communities.

  • To cooperate in creating and maintaining that sound public opinion and high idealism which make possible the Increase of righteousness, justice, patriotism, and good-will.

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