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
| 2023-24 Steve Morris | 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 | 1976-77 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. Ledwith | 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 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:
| 2018-9 Karina Sousa | 2011-2 Dr. Stephen A. All | 2006-7 Bill Winterbourne | |
| 2023-4 Gordon Boerner | 2016-7 Kenneth Coley | 2010-1 Charlie Coleman | 2005-6 Bill Gibbs |
| 2022-3 Carl Nettleton | 2015-6 Judith C. Leitner | 2009-10 John Kizer | 2004-5 Richard A. Shaw |
| 2021-2 Ryan Callan | 2013-4 Arthur Stillwell | 2008-9 John Irons | 2003-4 Harry D. Frels |
| 2020-1 Victor Bianchini | 2012-3 Jay Jeffcoat | 2007-8 Don Sturek | 2002-3 Mark McDonald |