History
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego was chartered in 1920, the first in San Diego County. The club is one of the largest Kiwanis Clubs in San Diego and Imperial Counties. The club is also known as the ‘Downtown Kiwanis,’ but has members from throughout the region.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego represents a diverse spectrum of business, government, military, and community leaders providing services to youth and the community.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego has a proud history. These major programs mark that history and are often referred to by club members:
Laurels for Leaders
Laurels for Leaders is governed by a board of directors consisting of members of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego, school officials, public and private leaders of the community. The program was established to recognize and honor the high leadership accomplishment of the student body presidents of San Diego County high schools. The program culminates in an annual luncheon at which the student leaders are presented certificates of recognition, a distinguished speaker brings them a message on leadership and in 2023 over one hundred students were given a cash gift of $300.
San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego works in concert with the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc. (the ‘Foundation’). The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) foundation incorporated in California that annually provides more than $250,000 to projects and organizations in the community.
Scholarships
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego and the Kiwanis Club Foundation donate more than $100,000 each year for scholarships to students in San Diego County. The Foundation Scholarship Committee provides financial support to students attending San Diego area colleges and universities. Special scholarship grants include the Walter Zitlau and Don McKee memorial scholarships. For more than 25 years the Kiwanis Club of San Diego and the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance have provided annual music concerts to raise money for SDSU music scholarships.
Children’s Hospital
Through the years, the club has had a very close relationship with Children’s Hospital. The club was a major financial contributor and a force that led to the founding of the hospital. Over the years, the Kiwanis Club of San Diego has contributed more than $551,000 to its programs. Participation continues through activity in the hospital’s Mile of Quarters campaign and in contributions to help the hospital meet its needs.
Concert in the Park
Past Club Presidents
| 2002-03 Art Stillwell | 1981-82 Paul R. Pulliam | 1961 Pay Hyndman* | 1940 E. G. Merril, Jr.* | |
| 2022-23 Susan Day |
2001-02 Stephen All* | 1980-81 Jack M. Templeton | 1960 Julius J. Fink* | 1939 Frank M. Lowe* |
| 2021-22 Mike Boland | 2000-01 John L. Kizer | 1979-80 Thomas C. Peek | 1959 Clyde Cunningham* | 1938 Thomas M. Bomar* |
| 2020-21 Mike Boland | 1999-00 Ronald L. Munroe | 1978-79 Ellis M. Benson | 1958 Cecil D. Hardesty* | 1937 Emery D. Sherwin* |
| 2019-20 Judy Leitner | 1998-99 Conny Jamison | 1977-78 Robert W. Klaiber* | 1957 Norman D. Ferguson* | 1936 Arthur M. Shoven* |
| 2018-19 Brian Krause | 1997-98 Carl Nettleton | 1977-79 Harry D. Frels*+ | 1956 Roy French Kidd* | 1935 E. G. Colby* |
| 2017-18 Patrick Maurer | 1996-97 Don Sturek+* | 1975-76 M. Ted Dixon*+ | 1955 Leslie E. Gehres* | 1934 C. E. Sisson* |
| 2016-17 Karina Sousa | 1995-96 Sally Hazard | 1974-75 LeRoy A. Bellwood* | 1954 Herbert C. Peiffer, Jr.* | 1933 Donald E. Hanson* |
| 2015-16 Joe Sigurdson | 1994-95 Mark McDonald+# | 1973-74 C. A. Karaberis* | 1953 Leo B. Calland* | 1932 P.H. Davenport* |
| 2014-15 David Gugerty | 1993-94 Jay W. Jeffcoat | 1972-73 Ben W. Hagar* | 1952 Howard Carroll* | 1931 T.O. Scripps* |
| 2013-14 Brian Krause | 1992-93 Michael P. Alessio | 1971-1972 Walter A. Zitlau* | 1951 S. Robert Frazee* | 1930 A. G. Peterson* |
| 2012-13 Ryan Callan | 1991-92 James W. Lediwth | 1970-71 Douglas Giddings | 1950 Dwight E. Keider* | 1929 Sam R. Frazee* |
| 2011-12 Corrine LeCates | 1990-91 J. Scofield Hage | 1969-70 Robert H. Bollum | 1949 Richard A. Nelson | 1928 Robert L. Mueller* |
| 2010-11 Ken Coley | 1989-90 James W. Hurry* | 1969 James O. Hewitt* | 1948 A. Monroe Sanders | 1927 Glenn O. Perkins* |
| 2009-10 Ethel Merriman | 1988-89 Charles F. Merz | 1968 Don R. Driese* | 1947 Orien W. Todd, Jr.*+ | 1926 Edgar McMath* |
| 2008-09 Don Sturek+* | 1987-88 Griff J. Hayes* | 1967 Milton R. Cheverton* | 1946 Andy Borthwick* | 1925 Arthur J. Morse* |
| 2007-08 Judy Leitner+ | 1986-87 Morris A. Peelle* | 1966 Fred S. Hage, Jr.* | 1945 Edward P. Scott*+ | 1924 John J. Frazer* |
| 2006-07 LaDrue Jordan | 1985-86 Richard A. Shaw | 1965 Richard L. Johnston | 1944 Berma W. Bonham* | 1923 George L. Mayne* |
| 2005-06 Tom Bauer+ | 1984-85 Clark B. George*+ | 1964 James M. Gillean* | 1943 Russell S. Stowell*+ | 1922 C. E. Reinhart* |
| 2004-05 Douglas Frost+ | 1983-84 Rene H. Gentry* | 1963 George K. Palmer* | 1942 John Aseltine* | 1921 W. H. Fraser* |
| 2003-04 Persida Drakulich* | 1982-83 Robert A. Shumake* | 1962 Lawrence Carr, Jr.* | 1941 Harry G. Malm* | 1920 |
#Past District Governor +Past Lt. Governor *Deceased
Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis Award
Don McKee was a long-time Kiwanis Club of San Diego member who left an endowment upon his death to the Club. In his honor, we established the Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis award - given to a member each year, not necessarily for having accomplished a great deal, but for embodying the SPIRIT of Kiwanis (as did Don) - someone who loves Kiwanis and lives it - who is evidently and obviously passionate about Kiwanis - who sort of overflows with the Kiwanis spirit! The Kiwanis Club of San Diego has honored these members with the Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis Award:
| 2010-1 Charlie Coleman | |
| 2021-2 Ryan Callan | 2009-10 John Kizer |
| 2020-1 Victor Bianchini | 2008-9 John Irons |
| 2018-9 Karina Sousa | 2007-8 Don Sturek |
| 2016-7 Kenneth Coley | 2006-7 Bill Winterbourne |
| 2015-6 Judith C. Leitner |
2005-6 Bill Gibbs |
| 2013-4 Arthur Stillwell | 2004-5 Richard A. Shaw |
| 2012-3 Jay Jeffcoat | 2003-4 Harry D. Frels |
| 2011-2 Dr. Stephen A. All | 2002-3 Mark McDonald |