Kiwanis come to Laguna

Jolly Roger owner Richie Sang was the first person to sign up as a member of the proposed Kiwanis Club in Laguna Beach.

The Kiwanis mission is to help children, and the Jolly Roger has a long history of support for children’s causes.

“We have provided the batter for the Exchange Club’s Pancake Breakfasts as long as I have been here ? and I have been here 25 years,” said Jeanne Mallarin.

Mallarin also has been invited to join the proposed club, which is in Division 41 of the California, Nevada, Hawaii District.

“There are 10 clubs in our division,” said Alan Anderson, a spokesman for Division 41, which runs from San Clemente to Costa Mesa. “We are going for 11.”

Laguna Beach meetings most likely will be held at the Jolly Roger, Anderson said..

Laguna Beach is not short of organizations dedicated to children. To name a few: the Assistance League promotes early intervention for developmental challenged children. Boy and Girl Scout troops thrive. The Bridge Learning Center mentors homeless children. The CSP Youth Shelter provides crisis intervention to at-risk youth, ages 11-17. Scores of clubs, as well as the art festivals, Friends of the Library, No Square Theatre, Ebell Club, Laguna Board of Realtors and private individuals fund scholarships for graduating seniors.

National Charity League and the Assisteens foster teen service to the community. Sports programs sponsored by the city, American Youth Soccer Organization and LEARN.

Parents of LEARN students chipped in $4,000 to buy a ball machine for the program. It was tested Tuesday by tennis instructor Aaron Talarico and incoming ninth-grader McKenna Nokes at the courts at Laguna Beach High School.

“I don’t think we have ever had a ball machine before,” said Larry Nokes, McKenna’s dad. “The high school teams will also be able to use it.”

So where does Kiwanis fit in?

“We deal closely with elementary, middle and high schools, and colleges,” Anderson said.

“Laguna Beach High School wants to have a Key Club. Key stands for Kiwanis Educating Youth, and it is our number one program. We are very proud of it.”

A Key Club does not require a local Kiwanis Club, but local sponsorship is an important component of the program, Anderson said.

The Kiwanis International goal is “Serving the Children of the World,” done by ongoing evaluation of children’s issues and community needs, and response to identified community needs with service projects conducted by an active membership roster of professional business people who have the desire and the ability to serve their community.

Service projects often are linked to the Kiwanis program “Young Children: Priority One.”

Besides the Key Clubs in high schools, Kiwanis also sponsor K-Kids clubs at the elementary school level, Builders Clubs in middle and junior high schools, and Circle K clubs in colleges. Aktion Clubs are made up of adults with mental and physical disabilities who perform services to help others.

Tuesday, club members visited local businesses, a follow-up to letters previously mailed, asking them to join as charter members of the Laguna Club. Besides Sang, charter members include Allison Cutler, Laguna Beach Unified School District; Gary Hirschfeld, Bon Saevur, Elena Mendoza, TLC Branch of the Boys and Girls Club; Sean Borjkhani, Laguna Beach Financial; Rob Hillis, Salon 28; Brenda Valentine, Laguna Culinary Arts; and Jim Cunningham, Prudential Real Estate.

“Members usually are owners of businesses who sign up as individuals,” Anderson said. “The Chamber of Commerce seemed enthusiastic about us coming to town, but declined to give us their membership list until we joined but we have nothing to join with yet.”

A club must have a minimum of 25 members, no maximum. Club meetings are traditionally held once a week, with invited speakers ? which should be no problem in an election year.

For more information, call (949) 361-0750.