On Oct. 4, Alameda Kiwanis Club welcomed its new president, Dawna Dowdell-Dos Santos, at an evening meeting celebrating Ohana, Hawaiian for family.

Dowdell-Dos Santos, aka Triple D, requested a Hawaiian theme in dress and decorations, in her belief that the Alameda community “should be as family, with strong interpersonal ties to Kiwanis values in service to children, youth and families.”

Outgoing president Henry Ching commented on his past year, noting eight new members inducted, and $100,000 in scholarship monies distributed to graduating Alameda seniors. He recognized two Kiwanians of the Year, the club’s highest honor, for extraordinary service in 2022-2023: Joanne Robinson and Patricia Bowen.

The Kiwanis Legion of Honor, for continuous service (25 years and up), had numerous recipients, including David Denyven who marks 70 years of service this year, the most in the United States. The William Dunlap Fellowship Awards were presented to Dawna Dowdell-Dos Santos and David Denyven, for continuous and outstanding service to the club and the Alameda community.

Ching presented his successor with the traditional anchor (to keep the club grounded) and president’s pin. President Dowdell-Dos Santos declared the return of the annual Chili Cookoff fundraiser, benefiting local non-profit organizations, to great cheers from the audience.

Kiwanis means “We have fun” and she added that Ohana, her year theme, means “family and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” That family bond will be reflected in Kiwanis’ outreach all year.