The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma Celebrates its 100th Anniversary!

The Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma culminated its year-long 100th Anniversary celebration on July 26, 2022, at a festive gala in Toronto’s iconic Casa Loma.

Being stewards of Casa Loma since 1937 for 74 years, KCCL was invited to showcase its history in the halls and rooms of the majestic castle by Nick Di Donato, CEO and President of Liberty Entertainment Group, the current manager and Honorary KCCL member. Poster-sized archived photographs of KCCL’s service, depicted by Camp Westowanis, Casa Loma’s resurrection, support for WWII soldiers and their families, and fundraisers to fight polio, Iodine Deficiency Disorder and Maternal Neonatal Tetanus, lined the “Walk through the Decades”. KCCL’s 100-year history is recorded in A Century of Service, the Story of the Kiwanis Club of Casa Loma, written by W. John Maize who spoke about commemorating KCCL’s milestone of service.

KCCL’s Community Partners joined in the celebration and welcomed the Indigenous Spirit Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Native Child and Family Services of Toronto which is KCCL’s Centennial Service Partner to serve Indigenous Children. The Silent Auction was KCCL’s first fundraiser for ISF and raised $1,680.00. The formal program, Kiwanis Festival performers emceed by President Francesco Coccimiglio, had greetings from in the Conservatory Jim Scott, ECC Kiwanis District Governor, and Catriona Delaney, Casa Loma General Manager, personal revelations from Willow Branco, ISF Award recipient, and powerful words to improve the quality of life for Indigenous children and their families from Kenn Richard, ISF Director and Founder of the NCFST. The traditional ceremonial drumming by Tasunke Sugar and Debezdiguzh Singers opened and closed the program bringing everyone together in harmony.

The Toronto Kiwanis Festival winners gave outstanding performances, 3 from the same family made fantastic music together, and the winner of the first Visual Arts competition donated a drawing for the Silent Auction. Fraser Melvin, who attests that KCCL’s John Bird Music Award motivated him to follow a music career path, provided entertainment with the Fraser Melvin Band to round out the evening. Eight Key Club volunteers helped with the set-up and guided 150 guests who enjoyed the sumptuous floating dinner and drinks. With three professional photographers, this spectacular evening at the magical Casa Loma was captured as you can see by all the amazing pictures below!

Note: If you would like to save the photos, simply open the photo, right click on it and click on “Save Image As.”