History:

The 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.