Each year, Kiwanis International holds a district governor’s official visit for Division 3 representing Kiwanis Clubs from throughout the California-Nevada-Hawaii District. A highlight of the visit is a ceremony to recognize exemplary volunteer service to the Kiwanis and the community. Recently, the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada was recognized with 2020-221 Distinguished Service Awards going to Dennis Fors, Trish McRae and Alice Perez. Held in Glendale, CAL-NEV-HA 2020-21 District Governor Gary Gray officiated over the event and was joined by Lt. Gov. Tina Tabora-Lim, with 2001-02 Past Lt. Gov. Pat Liddell serving as master of ceremonies.

Stepping back to last years’ district governor’s official visit, the following Kiwanis Club of La Cañada members received 2019-20 awards but, due to the pandemic, were not acknowledged to the community-at-large: Diane Della Valle and Fred Schooley were both lauded with Distinguished Service Awards, and Nancy Leininger was honored with the Youth Service Award.

Kiwanis Club of La Cañada President Dennis Fors was presented with his award by fellow Kiwanian Mary Gant who recounted his leadership skills. Fors had stepped up in 2019 as interim president; then the COVID-19 lockdown hit, prohibiting in-person meetings. Fors went into action, orchestrating Zoom meetings and inaugurating the new community service, membership and fundraising task force groups. Under Fors’ tutelage, the club outreached to convalescent nursing homes, supplying residents with much-appreciated games and supplies. The Club also co-sponsored the newly created First Annual LCF Trails Game, where participants of all ages hit the trails for health and well-being. New social outlets, following LA county health guidelines, were also launched to engage members in hiking, cooking, golf and reading, setting the stage for a more robust Club geared to enhancing the members’ experience.

Trish McRae, Kiwanis Club of LC vice president of programs, was hailed for ramping up the Club’s website and using social media and videos to showcase the Club and promote the weekly guest speakers. A board member since 2018, McRae has served on various committees utilizing her marketing, advertising, design and event planning skills. McRae is also actively involved in other clubs and is kicking off her second term as the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club president. She also serves on the board of directors for the Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada, Inc., and the La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council and is a La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association ambassador among other groups.

Alice Perez joined the Kiwanis board of directors in 2019, and serves as publicity chair. Perez found her niche of giving back by writing articles for the local newspapers and magazines, and by using photography to showcase such programs such as the Kiwanis Terrific Kids, the Literacy Program, the Wine and Food Tasting events and most recently the LCF Trails Game co-sponsored by the Kiwanis and LCF Trails Council. Currently, Perez is serving as the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club treasurer and is also their public relations coordinator. Among her other activities, she is a La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association Ambassador and is a Community Scholarship Foundation of La Cañada, Inc. scholarship liaison.

Fred Schooley joined the La Cañada Kiwanis Club in 2005 and has provided outstanding service thru the years, having served as club president in 2014-15. Since that time, Schooley has set the pace for donors and was honored by the Club by having the endowment fund, renamed to the Moulton-Schooley Fund. The Fund provides vital resources to help support a wide spectrum of the Kiwanis community efforts, including a variety of youth programs. Through Schooley’s enthusiasm and dedication, he has inspired other Club members to also generously donate to the Fund, whose goal is to propel local youth to their next level of achievement.

Diane Della Valle, a Kiwanis member since 2002, served as president in 2007-08, and continues to lend her vast leadership skills. Della Valley served as the past chair of the Kiwanis Club of LC’s International Understanding Committee where she championed the successful multi-year effort to exceed the Project Eliminate whose goal is to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus worldwide thru preventative vaccinations. An enthusiastic member of the Kiwanis, she continually steps up to further the Club’s mission to improve the world – one child and one community at a time. Among her civic activities, she is a La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce and Community Association Ambassador.

Nancy Leininger continues to use her invaluable decades-long experience as a former elementary school teacher by inspiring a multitude of children to raise their educational sights. Leininger has masterfully headed up the Club’s signature TERRIFIC Kids program held three times each school year, working with all the sixth grade teachers in the La Cañada Unified School District to identify students who are deserving of special recognition for their positive impact in the classroom. The children are then presented awards in school assemblies and are hosted with their proud parents at a Kiwanis luncheon. Leininger looks forward to continuing her role as an advocate for children by encouraging youth through positivity.

For those interested in making friends and giving back while having fun, the Kiwanis Club of La Cañada extends an invitation to attend a meeting held every Wednesday at noon that features the “Guest Speaker of the Week” program. To receive a private invitation to attend, email lacanadakiwanis@gmail.com. Also check out the website at lacanadakiwanis.org.

     Submitted by Kiwanis Club of La Cañada