The Valley Line: Morning Kiwanis Club serves up good works with a side of fun
We are off and running! We are now into the second full week of the new year and before we know it we will be celebrating Easter!
The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada La Crescenta-AM, which, as it name suggests, holds morning meetings, is a part of Kiwanis International. The service organization helps adults and kids around the world by working with those in nearby communities. Our city is also served by its original Kiwanis Club, which meets at noon on Wednesdays.
The AM club’s president, Chris Ecker, said, “The club, the second Kiwanis club in La Cañada, is making differences in people’s lives, and we are passionate about our mission.”
Service projects the morning club accomplished in 2017 included making daily food pick-ups from local merchants and delivering them to people in need in the Los Angeles area.
During the year, the club donated books to elementary schools in La Cañada and La Crescenta that campus librarians had requested. In December, club members were found weekends ringing the bell at Ralphs grocery store in La Cañada for the Salvation Army. Another service project included participating in the canned good collection for local food pantries organized by the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station.
Members also had a fun Christmas party, where the price of admission was the donation of a coat, blanket or sleeping bag for people in need. Club members also served French toast at the La Cañada annual Fiesta Days kick-off breakfast in Memorial Park.
A highlight came when Santa, working on behalf of the Kiwanis AM club, dispensed gifts and served dinner at at the Veteran’s Village in Glendale. The organization also presented an electrical scooter needed by a former Armed Forces medic, in order for her to become more mobile and for other veterans to have equine therapy for help with emotional and physical needs.
“We as Kiwanians we are generous with our time and are passionate about making a difference in the community,” Ecker said. “We also like to have have fun along the way.”
The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada La Crescenta -AM will continue with these and new projects in 2018.
Ecker said, “Our club can always use help so come see what we are all about.” The club meets at the Lutheran Church in the Foothills Community Room, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Cañada, from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. every Wednesday.
JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada Flintridge social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@aol.com with news of your special event.