History
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego, chartered in 1920 as the first in San Diego County, is one of the largest Kiwanis Clubs across San Diego and Imperial Counties. Often known as 'Downtown Kiwanis,' our membership extends throughout the region, encompassing a diverse group of business, government, military, and community leaders dedicated to serving youth and the broader community.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego boasts a proud legacy, highlighted by these significant programs that have become cornerstones of our history and are frequently celebrated by our members:
Laurels for Leaders
Laurels for Leaders is guided by a dedicated board of directors that includes members of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego, school officials, and esteemed community leaders from both the public and private sectors. The San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation proudly serves as the annual presenting sponsor of this esteemed program. Established to recognize and celebrate the outstanding leadership achievements of student body presidents from high schools throughout San Diego County, the program culminates each year in a prestigious luncheon. During this event, student leaders receive certificates of recognition, gain insights from workshops and breakout sessions, and, in 2023, over one hundred students were honored with a $300 cash gift.
San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego partners closely with the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, Inc. (the ‘Foundation’), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in California.
Each year, the Foundation contributes over $250,000 to support various projects and organizations within our community, helping to make a lasting impact. For more information, visit Community Impact Grant.
Scholarships
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego, in partnership with the San Diego Kiwanis Club Foundation, contributes over $100,000 annually to scholarships for students across San Diego County. The Foundation’s Scholarship Committee is dedicated to supporting students attending local colleges and universities. Notably, the Walter Zitlau Scholarship provides crucial financial assistance to medical students at UCSD.
Children’s Hospital
Over the years, the Kiwanis Club of San Diego has maintained a close and impactful relationship with Children’s Hospital, playing a pivotal role as a major financial contributor and a driving force behind its founding. To date, the Club has contributed over $551,000 to support the hospital’s programs. Our involvement continues through active participation in the Mile of Quarters campaign and ongoing contributions to help the hospital meet its needs.
Past Club Presidents
| 25-26 - Gordon Boerner | 06-07 - LaDrue Jordan* | 87-88 - Griff J. Hayes* | 1969 - James O. Hewitt* | 1950 - Dwight E. Keider* | 1931 - T. O. Scripps* |
| 24-25 - Justin Frisco | 05-06 - Tom Bauer+ | 86-87 - Morris A. Peelle* | 1968 - Don R. Driese* | 1949 - Richard A. Nelson* | 1930 - A. G. Peterson* |
| 23-24 - Steve Morris | 04-05 - Douglas Frost+# | 85-86 - Richard A. Shaw | 1967 - Milton R. Cheverton* | 1948 - A. Monroe Sanders* | 1929 - Sam R. Frazee* |
| 22-23 - Susan Day | 03-04 - Persida Drakulich* | 84-85 - Clark B. George*+ | 1966 - Fred S. Hage, Jr.* | 1947 - Orien W. Todd, Jr.*+ | 1928 - Robert L. Mueller* |
| 21-22 - Mike Boland | 02-03 - Art Stillwell | 83-84 - Rene H. Gentry* | 1965 - Richard L. Johnston | 1946 - Andy Borthwick* | 1927 - Glenn O. Perkins* |
| 20-21 – Mike Boland | 01-02 - Stephen All* | 82-83 - Robert A. Shumake* | 1964 - James M. Gillean* | 1945 - Edward P. Scott*+ | 1926 - Edgar McMath* |
| 19-20 – Judy Leitner+ | 00-01 - John L. Kizer | 81-82 - Paul R. Pulliam* | 1963 - George K. Palmer* | 1944 - Berma W. Bonham* | 1925 - Arthur J. Morse* |
| 18-19 – Brian Krause | 99-00 - Ronald L. Munroe* | 80-81 - Jack M. Templeton | 1962 - Lawrence Carr, Jr.* | 1943 - Russell S. Stowell*+ | 1924 - John J. Frazer* |
| 17-18 - Patrick Maurer | 98-99 - Conny Jamison | 79-80 - Thomas C. Peek* | 1961 - Pat Hyndman* | 1942 - John Aseltine* | 1923 - George L. Mayne* |
| 16-17 - Karina Sousa | 97-98 - Carl Nettleton | 78-79 - Ellis M. Benson | 1960 - Julius J. Fink* | 1941 - Harry G. Malm* | 1922 – C. E. Rinehart* |
| 15-16 – Joe Sigurdson | 96-97 - Don Sturek+* | 77-78 - Robert W. Klaiber* | 1959 - Clyde Cunningham* | 1940 - E. G. Merril, Jr.* | 1921 – W. H. Fraser* |
| 14-15 – David Gugerty | 95-96 - Sally Hazard | 76-77 - Harry D. Frels*+ | 1958 - Cecil D. Hardesty* | 1939 - Frank M. Lowe* | 1920 – |
| 13-14 – Brian Krause | 94-95 - Mark McDonald+# | 75-76 - M. Ted Dixon*+ | 1957 - Norman D. Ferguson* | 1938 - Thomas M. Bomar* | |
| 12-13 – Ryan Callan | 93-94 - Jay W. Jeffcoat | 74-75 - LeRoy A. Bellwood* | 1956 - Roy French Kidd* | 1937 - Emery D. Sherwin* | |
| 11-12 - Corrine LeCates | 92-93 - Michael P. Alessio* | 73-74 - C. A. Karaberis* | 1955 - Leslie E. Gehres* | 1936 - Arthur M. Shoven* | |
| 10-11 - Ken Coley* | 91-92 - James W. Ledwith | 72-73 - Ben W. Hagar* | 1954 - Herbert C. Peiffer, Jr.* | 1935 - E. G. Colby* | |
| 09-10 - Ethel Merriman | 90-91 - J. Scofield Hage* | 71-72 - Walter A. Zitlau* | 1953 - Leo B. Calland* | 1934 - C. E. Sisson* | |
| 08-09 - Don Sturek+* | 89-90 - James W. Hurry* | 70-71 - Douglas Giddings* | 1952 - Howard Carroll* | 1933 - Donald E. Hanson* | |
| 07-08 - Judy Leitner+ | 88-89 - Charles F. Merz | 69-70 - Robert H. Bollum | 1951 - S. Robert Frazee* | 1932 - P. H. Davenport* |
#Past District Governor +Past Lt. Governor *Deceased
Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis Award
Don McKee was a cherished and long-standing member of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego, whose legacy continues to inspire us all. In recognition of his deep commitment and love for Kiwanis, he left an endowment to the Club upon his passing. To honor his memory and the passion he embodied, we established the Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis Award. This prestigious award is presented annually to a member who, like Don, truly embodies the essence of Kiwanis—a person whose passion for Kiwanis is unmistakable, whose dedication is evident, and who overflows with the spirit that makes our organization so special.
The Kiwanis Club of San Diego has honored these members with the Don McKee Spirit of Kiwanis Award:
| 24-25 Wendy Reuben | 18-19 Karina Sousa | 10-11 Charlie Coleman |
04-05 Richard A. Shaw |
| 23-24 Gordon Boerner | 16-17 Kenneth Coley | 09-10 John Kizer | 03-04 Harry D. Frels |
| 22-23 Carl Nettleton | 15-16 Judith C. Leitner | 08-09 John Irons |
02-03 Mark McDonald |
| 21-22 Ryan Callan | 13-14 Arthur Stillwell | 07-08 Don Sturek | |
| 20-21 Victor Bianchini | 12-13 Jay Jeffcoat | 06-07 Bill Winterbourne | |
| 19-20 Charlie Coleman | 11-12 Dr. Stephen All | 05-06 Bill Gibbs |
Kiwanis Do All Be All Award
The Kiwanis Do All Be All Award was created in honor of longtime member Karina Sousa, whose tireless dedication and selfless service have shaped the heart of the Kiwanis Club of San Diego.
This award recognizes a member who, like Karina, has truly done it all—holding multiple leadership roles, chairing committees, stepping up wherever needed, and being the steady glue that keeps Kiwanis strong. It celebrates those who embody unwavering commitment, dependable leadership, and a spirit of service without hesitation, no matter the task at hand.
The Do All Be All Award is a tribute to true dedication, honoring those who ensure Kiwanis not only continues, but thrives.
| 2024-25 Karina Sousa |
| 2023-24 Karina Sousa |
Kiwanis Rising Star Award
The Kiwanis Rising Star Award honors a member whose light shines brightly through their passion, energy, and willingness to go above and beyond. This award recognizes those who rise to every challenge, strengthen Kiwanis with their dedication, and inspire others through their commitment to service.
Like a star on the rise, these members illuminate our path forward—helping to build a stronger club today while shaping a brighter future for tomorrow.
| 2024-25 Brittany Curran |