Community & Clubs: Support Boys & Girls Club with picnic donations

The Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa joins sponsors Hoag Hospital, South Coast Plaza, Union Bank, the Costa Mesa Community Foundation, Office Depot, Sears, the OCC Foundation and attorney Gregory Bartone in supporting the Boys & Girls Club of the Harbor Area to annually fund and support Kelly’s Closet.

According to project advisor Jeff Dimsdale, the Boys & Girls Club chapter selects 24 children, who will be paired with the Costa Mesa High or Estancia High Key Club, or an Orange Coast College Circle K mentor. On Aug. 27, the pairs board a bus to Sears, where each team is given spending money and a shopping list. Kiwanis members will be stationed in store departments to assist with fitting and other issues, Dimsdale said.

After buying school clothes and shoes, grade-appropriate school supplies, backpacks, and electronic dictionaries and calculators, they return to the Boys & Girls Club for an old-fashioned, all-American picnic with games, crafts, food, fun and Kiwanians doing the cooking. The Kiwanis Club is seeking additional sponsors, particularly for items for the picnic that follows the shopping trip, said Dimsdale. He can be reached at (949) 929-1201.

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OCC Circle K competes with giants

The OCC Circle K Club received first-place awards in a Circle K competition in Virginia Beach, Va., in July against powerhouses such as UC Berkeley and UC San Diego.

The OCC club, sponsored by the Costa Mesa Kiwanis, won awards for its newsletter, the family relations program, and for growth enhancement and membership. During the past year, the club grew from 45 to 103 members, according to outgoing OCC Circle K President Jennifer Que.

And in a separate category, the local club took third place, just behind Berkeley and UCSD in service hours donated by members, with more than 2,000 hours donated to the community. Congratulations!

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Newport Beach mayor meets DeMolay

On July 14, Newport Beach Mayor Mike Henn made a presentation at the Newport Beach chapter of DeMolay International, according to member Rebecca Lane. His presentation focused on the structure of Newport Beach’s city government and his personal experiences working for the city and serving as mayor, Lane said.

The event was part of Newport Beach DeMolay’s My Government Day, an annual event that requires each member to learn about our nation’s government. The presentation was lively and informative, and the chapter members thoroughly enjoyed the question-and-answer session afterward with the mayor, Lane said.

DeMolay is a member-driven, character and leadership building organization for males ages 12 to 20. More information on DeMolay International and Newport Beach chapter can be found at https://www.nbdemolay.org.

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Lions International convention

Mike and Sandi Scheafer attended last month’s 94th Lions Clubs International Convention in Seattle.

Lions from all over the world gathered to celebrate the previous year’s accomplishments and to look forward to the current year’s programs, the Scheafers reported. Outgoing International President Sid Scruggs of North Carolina officially installed the new president, Dr. Wing-Kun Tam of Hong Kong. Disaster programs, youth programs, technological advancements and environmental issues will be a major focus for 2011-12.

One of the annual highlights of any convention is the parade of Lions through the convention’s host city. Downtown Seattle welcomed the parade July 5.

The keynote speaker at the Thursday session was William H. Gates Sr. of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. On Friday, the final session, keynote speaker was former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

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SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS WEEK

You are invited to attend a service club meeting this coming week to learn more about opportunities for service. Most clubs will buy your first meal for you as you get acquainted with them.

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TODAY

Noon: The Exchange Club of Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, for a business meeting.

5:15 p.m.: The 10-member Rotary Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Ramada Inn & Suites, 1680 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa. Visit https://www.costamesarotary.org.

6 p.m.: The 60-member Rotary Club of Newport Balboa meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a program by Lawrence Roberts on the residential housing market in Newport Beach and Irvine.

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THURSDAY

7 a.m.: The 20-member Costa Mesa Orange Coast Lions Club meets at Mimi’s Café, Newport and Harbor boulevards, Costa Mesa.

Noon: The 45-member Kiwanis Club of Newport Beach-Corona del Mar meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club. For more information, visit https://www.newportbeachkiwanis.org.

The 95-member Exchange Club of Newport Harbor meets at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club for a business meeting. For more information, visit https://www.nhexchange.org.

The 40-member Kiwanis Club of Costa Mesa meets at the Costa Mesa Golf and Country Club, 1701 Golf Course Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit https://www.costamesakiwanis.org.

The 65-member Rotary Club of Newport Irvine meets at the University Club, 801 E. Peltason Drive, Irvine, for a program by Lacy Kelly, chief executive, Assn. of California Cities, OC Chapter “State vs. Local Government — Who’s Got Control?” Visit https://www.ni-rotary.org.

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TUESDAY

7:15 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club meets at Five Crowns, 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, for a program by Aaron Seibert on the Wounded Warrior Battalion. For more information, go to https://www.newportbeachsunriserotary.org.

COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published twice a month on Wednesdays. Send your service club’s meeting information by fax to (714) 921-8655 or by e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com.