The Kiwanis Club of Alameda will celebrate its 100th anniversary all year long, from the beginning of the Kiwanis Year, Oct. 1, until its conclusion, Sept.30, 2023.

Kiwanis Alameda was chartered in 1923 and held its first meeting on May 2 of that year at the local American Legion Hall. Every year, a new president and board of directors are installed at the first October meeting. On Oct.12, Henry Ching became our 100th president. A beautiful Early Autumn celebration was enjoyed by 50 attendees including Kiwanis members, special guests, Alameda Key Club members and Kiwanis Club’s Division 2 Lt. Governor, Jim Becker.

Ching’s wife Ann decorated the Elks Lodge with lighted Chinese lanterns and cherry blossoms, moon cakes and other sweets on the tables. A Chinese gourmet dinner catered by a Park Street restaurant was enjoyed by all.

Ching proclaimed three goals for his presidential year: more fundraising for the Kiwanis Foundation, financing student scholarships and grants to local non-profits; stronger ties with our current Key Clubs at Alameda and Encinal high schools and encouragement of other Alameda high schools to found Key Clubs; and greater publicity for Kiwanis of Alameda through social media platforms.

Outgoing president Donna Marie Ferro thanked Kiwanians for their support through committees, special projects, fundraising and volunteering at community events.

An evening highlight was the presentation of three William Dunlap Fellowship awards, for exceptional service to children and the Alameda community. Alameda now has 13 such Dunlap awards.

The Kiwanis Club of Alameda is an organization dedicated to serving the community through various service projects with a focus on children. They work with the city, schools, local businesses and nonprofit organizations to offer youth teaching tools, grants and scholarships. To learn more about Kiwanis Club of Alameda, visit www.alamedakiwanis.org.