We asked our members to share what they believe is our secret to lasting for 100 years. The following is a response from a long standing KCCL member, David Drew.

As KCCL gets ready to celebrate 100 years of service one might ask how have we lasted this long? The answer is simple…our club has done and continues to do good work, important work in the community.

I got to know KCCL while I was Principal at York Memorial C.I. I was fortunate to have a good music program and it was recognized by Kiwanis on several occasions. When I retired in 2001 Ken Hanson approached me about joining and I said yes, I was interested . When I was interviewed by three members the first question I got was “Why do you want to become a member?” I said because Kiwanis seems to be all about kids. My whole career was about kids so I thought it was a perfect fit! I still feel the same way. I have often thought that, had I not been at Memo with their strong music program, I might never have connected with Kiwanis. Over the past almost twenty years I have taken great pleasure and pride when I have had the privilege of presenting York Memo students with awards.

Soon after joining the club I learned about the Scholarship Program, so capably run by Don Kibblewhite. This is one of the club’s most important and significant contributions to students and to the community and we should be very proud of these awards. The students, their schools, teachers and parents are all acknowledged for outstanding achievement. These awards provide much needed financial assistance and the recipients are very appreciative.

Then there is the Kiwanis Music Festival. John Bird got me involved my first year and my very first experience blew me away! The next year John persuaded me to look after our club’s assignments at the Festival. John was very persuasive. I continued with that job for ten years. This Festival involves tens of thousands of performers each year, many of them elementary and secondary school students. The workload for the organizers and volunteers is incredible but it is sure worth it! I have been very impressed by the adjudicators who judge the performers, yes, but they always provide helpful instruction and encouragement as well.  The impact the Kiwanis Music Festival has had over the years is incalculable. We know we are doing good work when we get so many beautiful, heartfelt letters of thanks from individuals who win Festival awards that we sponsor.

After joining KCCL I was introduced to Key Clubs. At that point I had one huge regret, that I did not know about this organization when I was a Principal. What an amazing program … helping kids learn leadership skills and providing them with opportunities to help out, not just in their own school, but in their community. KCCL has sponsored several clubs over the years thanks to leadership by Ken Hanson and Kathi Silke and countless young people have had a chance to learn and grow and accomplish amazing things thanks to Key Club and to their teacher advisors. Needless to say I am very proud that we have a Key Club at Memo.

So, how does KCCL survive for 100 years? Because we care! We care about kids. We care about communities. We care enough to offer help. Look at what we did for Memo after the fire. Look at what we are doing with food cards during the pandemic. We encourage kids to be better. How can an organization like the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma not survive and thrive for 100 years when it does so much good, helps so many people and gives so much encouragement and hope to so many.