Tom Thornton, Past President of La Mirada Kiwanis; David Constantine, Past Vice- President of Nighttime Kiwanis;, and Dr. Michael Winter, current President of La Mirada Kiwanis Club.
Following its annual audit, the La Mirada Kiwanis Club announced that it had distributed over $58,000 to community service and youth organizations during the 2012-1013 fiscal year. Current President Dr. Michael Winter congratulated Past President Tom Thornton of the morning club and Vice-President David Constantine of the companion evening club for their excellent cooperation in making this outstanding charitable amount possible. Constantine remarked. “La Mirada Kiwanis Club had an outstanding year of service in 2013. Our members love La Mirada and have worked tirelessly to help our community, our children and the children of the world.”
To increase membership and accommodate work schedules, the club meets every Wednesday morning and the first Thursday night of the month. They then work cooperatively under the six permanent Objects of Kiwanis International, with emphasis on the core values: Stewardship, Transparency, Responsiveness, legacy, Integrity and Trust. The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada accomplished these goals in 2012-2013 through the dedicated effort of its club members by supporting the following organizations and events.
Meals on Wheels, Youth Sports through pancake breakfast events, K-Kids, Key Clubs, and Circle K Youth organizations in grades K through College, ‘Going Quackers for Kids’ Duck Race, Technology and books for students in La Mirada School, Maddi’s Closet, Nonprofit Public Charity, for the Benefit of Children with Cancer, Kiwanis International project to “Eliminate Maternal/ Prenatal Tetanus”, La Mirada Symphony Orchestra, Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree, CHOC Hospital, Phantom Projects, La Mirada 4 Our Kids Carnival, 16 scholarships to La Mirada resident seniors, Third of July tri tip sales at Regional Park, Fireworks Sales, La Mirada High School BEST organization for business education, La Mirada Volunteer Center, Relay for Life.
Additionally, the club supported the La Mirada Beautification Project, conducted Kiwanis One Day activities that included painting bridges in Creek Park, and served breakfast at the Don Knabe Katch Fishing Derby, Stroll in the Park, and participated in the Memorial Day Services at Olive Lawn Cemetery.
Immediate Past President Tom Thornton commented: “While our accomplishments were many, one of my fondest memories was our presentation of framed U.S. Flags flown over the Normandy American Cemetery, Colerville-Sur-Mer, France, to four of our members who served in World War II as a salute to their service. We could not have achieved what we did without the combined efforts of our members.”
