The Kiwanis Club of Claremont will hold a special celebration luncheon on Thursday, January 29 in honor of the 100-year anniversary of their founding organization Kiwanis International.

Former members and officers of the club are invited to attend and participate in a historical review of the organization’s service to the community, led by fourth-generation member Paul Wheeler.

The luncheon will be held at St. Ambrose Church Fellowship Hall, 830 W. Bonita Ave., Claremont, at noon. Cost to attend is $15 per person. The deadline for reservations is Monday, January 26 and can be made by contacting Pat Henny, program chair, at (909) 624-8438.

The primary focus of the club is to serve the children of the community by working with the Claremont Unified School District to continue projects such as the “READ-ME” program, providing high school scholarships and continuing the Best BET partnership with the Claremont Chamber of Commerce. Kiwanis also donates to Shoes that Fit, the Special Olympics, the Claremont Educational Foundation and many more organizations that aim to better the lives of local children.

Partnering with the city of Claremont, the club sponsors the annual summer Concerts in the Park by organizing and staffing the concession booth that pays for the bands. Additionally, the club assists with the annual July Fourth celebration by hosting the pancake breakfast and food concession at the evening fireworks show and concert.

Club members assist community senior citizens by helping with monthly food distribution and by providing funds for the annual Senior Prom and the Meals on Wheels program.

The Kiwanis Club welcomes local residents interested in assisting the community to visit the weekly lunch meetings held every Thursday at noon at St. Ambrose Church Fellowship Hall, 830 W. Bonita Ave.  For additional information, contact Ed Leavell, membership chair, at (909) 851-5133 or by email at bigedleavell@gmail.com.