As long as the Beargrease has us in the celebrating mood, there's another opportunity this weekend to get excited about a good cause. The Kiwanis Club of Friendly Duluth -- "Friendly" is indeed part of its name -- marks its 90th birthday today. A gala dinner of its own is planned at the Kitchi Gammi Club.
The Kiwanis started in 1917, two years after the founding in Detroit of what would become an international group. The Duluth chapter of the service organization is best known its TV auction that benefits community youth. It also holds the Bayfront Kite Fly every September; an annual food drive, which has raised 47,353 pounds of food and $23,299 for the Salvation Army, Damiano Center, CHUM, Union Gospel Mission and Northern Lakes Food Bank; its involvement with Special Olympics; its members' willingness to read to schoolchildren; and its involvement with the police officer and firefighter of the year awards.
The anniversary "is a big deal," local Kiwanis President Don Lilyquist said yesterday. "Our dedication is to change the world one community and one child at a time."
Over 90 years, that's a lot of children helped. Congratulations.
