EXPRESS FILE PHOTO Officers and members of the Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven gather at their annual picnic last September at the Sons of Italy campground. The picnic each September will be when the club bestows its new Lee Phillips Community service Award.

LOCK HAVEN — The Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven is celebrating its 95th anniversary!

In 1926, the local chapter began just 11 years after Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 by a group of businessmen in Detroit, Mich. The organization was originally called the Supreme Lodge Benevolent Order of Brothers, but changed its name to Kiwanis a year later. Kiwanis International is a global community of clubs, members and partners dedicated to improving the lives of children one community at a time. The name “Kiwanis” was coined from an American Indian expression, “Nunc Kee-wanis,” which means, “We trade.”

In 1920, the motto of Kiwanis became “We Build.” It remained the motto until 2005, when members voted to change it to “Serving the children of the world.”

In the early years, members focused on business networking but in 1919, the organization changed its focus to service — specifically service to children.

Today, Kiwanis has more than 550,000 members from K-Kids to Key Club to Kiwanis and many ages in between in 80 countries and geographic areas. Each community has different needs, and Kiwanis empowers members to pursue creative ways to serve the needs of children, such as fighting hunger, improving literacy and offering guidance. Kiwanis became an international organization with the founding of the Kiwanis Club of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1916. Kiwanis clubs formed in communities across the United States and Canada until the 1960s, when worldwide expansion was approved. Kiwanis clubs continue to help children thrive, prosper and grow in nearly 80 nations and geographic locations.

Moreover, Kiwanis clubs host nearly 150,000 service projects each year, including locally.

The local Lock Haven club has two spaghetti dinner fundrisers a year and a blueberry sale in the spring to raise money for local children’s charities and organizations that help children and their families. Members also volunteer with other nonprofits and fundraising events.

The Lock Haven chapter donates thousands of dollars annually to various nonprofits, including the Infant Development Center.

Donations are always welcome, as are new members.

“We rejoice over our 95th anniversary and the many memories through the years,” said Steve Stevenson, local club president. “Like any service organization we face a cultural challenge that doesn’t see a lot of young adults committing their time to civic causes.”

The Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven also this year boasts one of its members and past presidents as lieutenant governor.

Conrad Schlesinger, also well known for his musical talents at area churches, is lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Division 12N of the Pennsylvania district.

He was local club president from 1997-98 and now serves as club secretary.

Besides Schlesinger and Stevenson, among members and officers of the club are President Elect Dave Strouse; Vice President Jeff Bayliff; Immediate Past President Lisa Bangson, and Treasurer J. Michael Williamson.

Board members are Rachael Bischof, Rich Kuczawa, Bob Thompson, Angela Harding, Jeff Snyder and Dr. Bill Force.

The Kiwanis Club of Lock Haven most recently has been meeting at the social hall of the Sons of Italy on Henderson Street in Lock Haven each Thursday at noon, with many online meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All people are welcome to participate in the Kiwanis movement of improving communities for children. In 1987, women were invited to join. In 2008, delegates approved a resolution that calls for Kiwanis clubs to celebrate and foster inclusiveness.

Local residents wanting more information about attending or joining Kiwanis in Lock Haven may call Rich Kuczawa at 570-713-5495.