Kiwanis Club of La Cañada La Crescenta-AM adopted The Veterans Village of Glendale for the second year by sponsoring a Christmas party with all of trimmings on Dec. 20. There were games to play and Christmas caroling led by club members Brian Hummel and Christie Crahan. Santa, played by club president Chris Ecker, surprised everyone with toys, books and gift cards from Target for all of the children and families. A fully catered dinner, provided by Simply Perfect Catering of Pasadena, was served ending with a cake to celebrate and honor veterans who live at the village. Veterans Village, Glendale is a 44-unit apartment complex offering affordable housing for veterans and their families. It is financed thought federal tax credits and the Glendale Housing Authority.

The following day, Dec. 21, the club made a surprise presentation of a motorized scooter to Veteran’s Village disabled resident Yolanda Franklin. She was elated to receive the scooter with its big red bow in the lobby of the Village. Yolanda served with the U.S. Navy from 1994-2003 as a medic at the Naval Station Great Lakes. The committee heard that her insurance would not cover the purchase of a battery-operated scooter to provide necessary mobility for her. Asked if it could provide the scooter for her immediate use, club member Dave Hemstreet found one. Club members also present were Christie Crahan, Rosemary Hook, Elaine Harada and Dani Hydar and property manager Tony Carnaghi and new directions for Veterans’ on-site Supportive Housing manager Adrianne Beasley

This event was organized by the club’s Fly a Flag for a Veteran Committee. Funds are raised by this committee offering U.S. flags to be installed and removed in foothill resident yards for each of five holiday weekends through the year including Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Veterans Day. A donation of $100 is asked for the initial fee and subsequent years for $50. Recently this committee presented Saddles for Soldiers sponsored by the Shadow Hills Riding Club $1,000 donation to help provide support for veterans with physical and/or emotional disabilities.

The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada La Crescenta-AM meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30 at the Lutheran Church of the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd., La Canada. All are invited to come and join the fun.