La Canada - Kiwanis International

The La Cañada Kiwanis Club was founded October 3, 1948. Early meetings were held in Rudy’s Cafe, the Thursday club, Chef's Inn, La Cañada Country Club, and Brookside Restaurant.

Since 1985 , Kiwanis has been meeting at Descanso Gardens every Wednesday for lunch in Van de Kamp Hall. Currently there are just under 100 members - business and professional men and women, both active and retired.

We’re the club that:

Partners with the La Cañada Educational Foundation to present the Wine & Gourmet Food Tasting in Memorial Park. This started in 2000.

Sponsors the Key Club at La Cañada High School – a service leadership organization

Sponsors the Builders Club at LCHS, a leardership & service club for 7-8 students

Selects and honors The La Cañadan of the Year, a member of our local community, who has exemplified service and brought recognition to our city.

Holds an annual Clergy Recognition Day in our community

Is a sponsor of the YMCA’s Prayer Breakfast

Funds the Sheriff’s STAR program teaching children from grades 4-6 Drug Awareness and ways to resist drugs

Holds a Fiesta Days Barbecue on Memorial Day in the Park

Hosts a program honoring local Boy Scouts achieving Eagle Awards and Girl Scouts who have earned Gold Awards.

In the past, our Kiwanis club:

Spear-headed the idea of a La Cañada Rose Float. We've been a major contributor from 1969 to today.

Paved the Dance Floor around the Gazebo in Memorial Park

Supported a budding YMCA and made significant contributions to the first swimming pool.

In 1993, our club sponsored the La Cañada AM club to accommodate residents who favored a morning meeting time. They meet Wednesday mornings at the Lutheran Church in the Foothills.

Sponsored the Annual All-American-Greater Los Angeles Championship Soap Box Derby race for children 8-17. 2000 – 2009

For 53 years, our club presented the annual Travelogue Series, exhibiting travel films, narrated in person by the producers. 1960 - 2013