Kiwanis Club of Elgin celebrates 101st anniversary
On Tuesday, Sept. 28, the Kiwanis Club of Elgin celebrated its 101st anniversary at the Elgin Country Club.
Chartered in 1920, the club has been fulfilling its mission to serve the children of the world locally for over 101 years now.
The celebratory evening began with a champagne toast by the nearly 100 guests in attendance, and continued with a reading of a City of Elgin proclamation.
It was highlighted by Distinguished Member Service Awards for Loren Golden and Herbert Hedstrom.
Guests also heard from club president Franklin Ramirez and representatives from the Aktion Club and Gail Borden Library, which the club supports philanthropically.
The club remembered and celebrated its long history which included a 1925 fundraising musical-comedy at the Masonic Temple, a "Create Your Own Job" drive after World War II to help teenagers obtain employment, a $39,000 donation toward the $79 million Kiwanis International worldwide Iodine Deficiency project, the purchase of a ReadersShip van for the Gail Borden Public Library District, and, most recently, the donation of over $100,000 to support the UNICEF effort to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus.
The club's objectives remain to give, encourage, develop, provide and cooperate. To get involved, support, or for more information, visit elgin.kiwanisone.org.