Club History  

Key Events in the Early Years of the Wellesley Kiwanis

1926- On May 19, the Wellesley Kiwanis Club was chartered. Sponsored by the Waltham club, Ralph Wilson was the charter president. Four charter members, Herb Austin,Al Fraser, William Gleason and Stanley Hall were still active in the club at the 50th anniversary in 1976.

1936- The club started Christmas parties at the community playhouse for children who had small opportunity for movie attendance. William Gleason was president.  Adolf Bendslev donated the playhouse and program, the club supplied ice cream and gifts and the bus folks donated the transportation. This program continued for several years.

1937- Under Clarence Holman as president, the club started a camp program. As camps were being discontinued about the time of WWII, the club began to channel the funds to Wellesley Friendly Aid Society for their camp program.  Also in 1937, a Thanksgiving basket program was started for needy families and this continued for several years. Once the welfare office was able to provide this service, the club shifted its efforts to supplying boots and shoes to needy children in town and thus the boot and shoe program was started. In 1982 there were 17 pairs of shoes and boots distributed and in 1984 there were 70. We now provide vouchers for 100 pairs of footwear.

1954- The first St. Patrick’s day party held at the Wellesley Inn. John Anderson was president of Club. Grant MacGillivray was the leading force with the help of the Dana Hall kitchens. In 1960, International president Al Tully attended the luncheon with the district officers and their “ladies”. Attendance count was 203. In a letter to then president Frank O’Neill stated that this event was the highlight of his trip to New England.

1956- The annual cookout started and was held at a site in Needham. That year Art Shaw was president. Grant MacGillivray suggested the Dana Hall School grounds might be used and within a year or two the cookout was held at the riding ring and continued there until 1975. The meal consisted of a steak or lobster dinner and was followed by an auction which was the major fundraiser of the year. Also introduced in 1956 was the presentation of the “Presidents Bowl”. This presentation was made to the Kiwanian to have shown exceptional service in club projects. This presentation has continued since.

1956-The Memorial Fund was started.

1967- The first auction was held on Dana Hall grounds with Charlie McCullough as president. This effort was later added to the cookout.