As part of his “swan song,” at a recent meeting outgoing Kiwanis Club of La Cañada president Bill Watts announced that the club had donated $23,000 to various charities and organizations during his year as president. Watts also recognized the club’s many chairpersons and thanked them for their service at his final meeting as president.

Mary Gant assumed the office on Oct. 1 after being installed at a gala dinner event on Sept. 28 at the Oakmont Country Club.

Under Watt’s leadership, the club’s gave $2,250 to the Christmas Fund; $2,300 for the Hope-4-Kids; $3,000 to the Literacy Program; $900 for Youth services; $1,000 to LCF Tournament of Roses; $4,000 to Descanso Gardens; $470 to Kiwanis International Foundation; $1,500 to the Eliminate Project; $1,000 to the LCF Community Center; $1,000 to the YMCA Prayer Breakfast, and $1,000 to the Young Leaders Scholarships. Additional donations included  $2,000 to the school district for the S.T.A.R Program; $1,000 to Aid Africa; $5000 to the Glendale Handicap Association for the Retarded and $1,500 in miscellaneous other donations throughout the LCF community for a total of $21,460.

The club meets weekly at Van De Kamp Hall at Descanso Gardens for lunch and new members and guests are always welcome.

Information about Kiwanis can be obtained from Mary Gant at (818) 248-7664.