Kiwanis Club of Batavia celebrates 90 years of serving the community

Over the past 90 years, the Kiwanis Club has become part of the fabric of the community, Secretary Peter Guppenberger told his fellow Kiwanians during the club's anniversary celebration at Bohn's Restaurant last night.

So many of the club's activities have come cherished community events, from the Easter Egg Hunt in Centennial Park, to Pancake Days, to the Thanksgiving Day Skate and the Golf Ball Race at Picnic in the Park.

Many of these events serve the children of the community, which is the primary mission of Kiwanis.

"When you see the smiles on the kids' faces, you realize that's what it's all about," Guppenberger said.

Past President Lawrence Friedman spoke about how the club's current long-term project has re-energized the organization.

The Kiwanis Club is working to raise $150,000 to provide the Child Advocacy Center with a permanent home that the agency owns. So far $80,000 has been raised, with $60,000 of it coming from a pair annual auction galas.

The project was meant to position the club to do something meaningful for the community, but it has also served to bring in new members, with about 15 people joining last year and another half dozen so far this year.

This year's gala will be Sept. 21 at Genesee Community College.

Current Club President Ed Minardo

Frank Romeo, Lt. Governor of the Genesee Division of Kiwanis

Barb Lewis, from Ladies of Kiwanis

Past President Patrick Forsyth