Kiwanis celebrates 50 years

Welland, Canada, Tribune
http://www.wellandtribune.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1266078

Fifty years of proud community service was commemorated at Casa Dante last night. Current and past members caught up on old times as the Kiwanis Club of Welland honored its 50th anniversary with a celebratory dinner.

President Deanna Villella said the evening was "about fellowship" and "all the hard work people have done in the community."

With more than 50 people filling the hall, Villella said she saw more past members than current, but that was to be expected with the small-scale size of the current club. Although the Kiwanis Club's mandate is children are priority No. 1, Villella said she feels the club does so much more than help children.

"I say its people are priority No. 1." She said she thinks of how the club has diversified over the years, helping the community in various ways. "The Kiwanis Club does so many good things in the community. Without Kiwanis we would have a gap."

Vice-president Heather Horton said it was "wonderful to be able to celebrate" with past and present members, including some founding members.  She said the evening was "a reminder of what we have done, and where we are going."

Horton encouraged members of the public to donate their time to volunteering, because Welland is "a community that really needs it right now." Villella said the club is interested in members of all ages, but is particularly interested in "getting the younger generation involved."

She said if people are looking to get involved and volunteer, Kiwanis Club is a good way to start without having to commit a lot of time. The club, which is currently only 13 members strong, is always taking on new members. For more information, contact Villella at 905-732-7655.

One of the charter members of the club, Douglas Rapelje, said a lot of credit is owed to Bob Redman, who "got Kiwanis started in Welland."  He said Redman, who passed away two years ago, was the one who recruited members of the original club. It began with 15 to 20 members in its first year, said Rapelje, and grew so quickly they capped membership at 60 only two years later.

Rapelje said the original group was "like a band of brothers."

"We couldn't wait to go to meetings."  One of the first major projects the club took on was bringing the ballet to the city, he said.

The club has since gone on to raise funds in support of organizations like Big Brothers and Big Sister of South Niagara, YMCA of South Niagara, Sunset Haven, Rapelje Lodge and the Salvation Army.