Community & Clubs: Celebrating 100 years of Kiwanis
Kiwanis International began in 1914 when a tailor and a professional organizer teamed up to develop an organization that provided fellowship as well as business networking and community service.
Kiwanis was originally named the Supreme Lodge of Benevolent Order of Brothers, or “BOB” by its detractors. In 1915, the Benevolent Order of Brothers adopted a Native American term “Nunkee-wan-is” which translates into “we trade.”
Kiwanis was born, and for the next 99 years, members traded their expertise in work, business and finance to help others less fortunate. Their main emphasis for assistance was to help children.
Kiwanis attracted 200 members in only six months and expanded into several Midwest cities.
By 1920, it adopted a motto, “Serving the Children of the World,” as its major focus. This goal has morphed into programs assisting youth such as K-Kids for elementary students, Builders Clubs for middle school kids, Key Clubs at the high school level and Circle K Clubs at the college level. Kiwanis now has worldwide membership and works with UNICEF and the United Nations to help with projects in pediatric trauma, safety, child care, early development, infant health, nutrition and parenting skills.
Locally, Kiwanis has both a Newport Beach-Corona del Mar chapter and a Costa Mesa chapter. These two fantastic groups are looking for new membership that share in their concern for today’s young people. For information about local Kiwanis Clubs, you can contact Joel Carlson of the Newport-Corona chapter at (714) 271-7322 or mjoel.carlson@gmail.com or Jeff Dimsdale of the Costa Mesa chapter at (949) 929-1201 or jdimsdale@occ.cccd.edu.
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Kids, wishes and cures: October fundraisers
2nd annual Newport Elementary Classic Car Show: Come see “Hot colors, hot cars, surf woodies, street rods, muscle cars, VWs, big motors, and lots of chrome” and raise money for historical Newport Elementary School, 1327 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach. The fundraiser takes place at the school from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit newportelcarshow.com.
Art of the Cure: UC Irvine Health Diabetes 8th annual Fundraiser: Dining stations, select wine and beer pairing, a silent auction and live entertainment will be offered at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach. For more information, contact kari.duffield@uci.edu, (949) 824-1678 or Adrian Thomas at (714) 922-1431.
2nd annual Mommy and Me Cancer 5K: Young mothers battling cancer face unique challenges, and MAMCF supports these young mothers and their families. To do the same, you can run, walk or stroll starting at 8 a.m. Oct. 11 at Road Runner Sports, Costa Mesa Courtyards, 1835 Newport Blvd.; check-in is at 7 a.m. This is a family fun run. For more information, contact Jennifer Boyd at (714) 861-0705 or visit https://www.mamcf.org.
Walk in the Park for CHOC Hospital: The CHOC walk, held Oct. 12 at Disneyland, is a time when families express their thanks to doctors and nurses who care for their children. The 5K walk transverses Disneyland with special opportunities for walk participants. For more information, contact Zach Abrams at (714) 509-7676 or zabrams@choc.org.
Make A Wish Foundation’s Evening of Wishes: Join Make A Wish Foundation on Oct. 17 at the Balboa Bay Resort for a magical night of surprises, fabulous live and silent auctions, dinner and dancing. For more information, visit ocie.wish.org/gala or call (714) 573-9474.
1st Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Golf’n for a Cure: Enjoy 18 holes in scramble format, dinner and a silent auction at 11 a.m. Oct. 18 at Meadowlark Golf Club in Huntington Beach. For more information, contact Justin Stevens at (714) 943-3525.
If you have a club or nonprofit organization that would like to be represented in this column, please contact DUNCAN FORGEY at forgey5000@yahoo.com or (949) 548-4800 or DIANE DARUTY at dianedaruty @sbcglobal.net or (949) 322-7949.