The Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club
We’ve proudly served the Hermosa Beach community for nearly 100 years. Founded in 1926, our Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club came into existence shortly after the International Kiwanis Organization was established in 1915, and just two decades after Hermosa Beach was incorporated in 1907.
In July 2023, we celebrated our 5,000th regularly scheduled meeting.
Kiwanis Hall on Valley Drive, built in 1957 by local contractor and Kiwanian Austin Blankenship, was deeded to the City of Hermosa Beach with the understanding that our club would be responsible for its upkeep and maintenance. In return, we have the privilege of using the building for meetings and events in perpetuity. The funds we receive from hall rentals are dedicated to its ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
Kiwanis Hall has always been a hub of community activity, hosting hundreds of weddings, birthday parties, and other celebrations over the years.
Our club and hall have been integral to the growth of Hermosa Beach, making it a desirable place to live, work, and raise a family—thanks in large part to the hard work and funding raised by the Hermosa Kiwanis.
While our community has evolved over the past century, the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club continues to embody the same spirit of giving back, mentoring, camaraderie, and friendship.
A Decade of Generosity and Service
Over the past decade, the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club has raised and donated over one million dollars to support various causes:
- $350,000 to local charities
- $200,000 to Hermosa Beach schools
- $300,000 in scholarships
- $100,000 to national charities
- $120,000 to local sponsored youth programs
- Over 100,000 hours of community service
Past Presidents of the Hermosa Beach Kiwanis Club
1926-1966
- 1926: C. H. (Cap) Salinas
- 1927: E. B. Clark Jr.
- 1928: J. David Glover
- 1929: George V. Learned
- 1930: Charles D. Jones
- 1931: Don S. Hayes / C. L. Reinbolt
- 1932: Arden R. Matthews
- 1933: C. Ma Anderson
- 1934: Arthur A. Nelson
- 1935: T. C. Sheehan
- 1936: George Simmons
- 1937: Collamer A. Bridge
- 1938: Glamiion Reah
- 1939: Logan R. Cotton
- 1940: William G. H. Russell
- 1941: T. E. Goggins
- 1942: R. W. Chase / T. C. Sheehan Jr.
- 1943: T. C. Sheehan, Jr.
- 1944: Charles Taft
- 1945: John R. Haworth
- 1946: Glade L. White
- 1947: Lloyd Nicholson
- 1948: Lawrence Hull
- 1949: Carl G. Arfwedson
- 1950: Gus Cusenza / Kenneth Ward
- 1951: Edward G. Meyer
- 1952: Dr. Paul C. Barr
- 1953: Charles J. Smith
- 1954: Dr. Max Webber
- 1955: Richard J. Young
- 1956: Cleo C. Smelser
- 1957: James W. Gladhill
- 1958: Eric Rafter
- 1959: Austin Blankenship
- 1960: C. E. (Pat) Tarver
- 1961: James E. Edgerton
- 1962: Richard L. Thompson
- 1963: Floyd Olson
- 1964: William D. Hamilton
- 1965: Edward Engle
- 1966: Seymour Bilowit
1967-2024
- 1967: A. Bernard Lettunich
- 1968: Harry L. Smith
- 1969-70: Dr. Charles Imai
- 1970-71: Steward McDonald
- 1971-72: Rev. Harry Chillington
- 1972-73: Robert Crawford
- 1973-74: Richard Knight
- 1974-75: Charles McCann
- 1975-76: Dave Louvorn
- 1976-77: Lloyd Patefield
- 1977-78: Dave Naramore
- 1978-79: Eugene Palmer
- 1979-80: Larry O’Conner / E. Palmer
- 1980-81: Jim Fucile
- 1981-82: Ken Thompson
- 1982-83: Mike Frandzel
- 1983-84: Ed Janik
- 1984-85: Cary Bichlmeier
- 1985-86: Tony Molino
- 1986-87: Joe Diaz
- 1987-88: Paul Amarillas
- 1988-89: John Woodall
- 1989-90: Frank Hallstein
- 1993-94: Earl Feys
- 1994-95: Harold Roberts
- 1995-96: Michael Schubach
- 1996-97: Cathy McCurdy
- 1997-98: Jerry Compton
- 1998-99: Greg Ronkainen
- 1999-00: Bob McEachen
- 2000-01: Carol Lawson
- 2001-02: Sam Abrams
- 2002-03: Tony Lombardo
- 2003-04: Rick Koenig
- 2004-05: Greg Wyatt
- 2005-06: Terry Bose
- 2006-07: Pat Love
- 2007-08: Mike Miller
- 2008-09: Cedric McRae
- 2009-10: Joni Ackerman
- 2010-11: Adriene Slaughter
- 2011-12: Michael Goergen
- 2012-13: Jeff Maxwell
- 2013-14: Mark Goldstein
- 2014-15: Howie Seeb
- 2015-16: Lisa Shea
- 2016-17: Cedric McRae
- 2017-18: Cedric McRae
- 2018-19: Cathy McCurdy
- 2019-20: Lucas Commiso
- 2020-21: George Barks
- 2021-22: Rick Koenig
- 2022-23: Rick Koenig
- 2023-24: Glenn Menard
- 2024-25 Rick Koenig
Chartered February 22, 1926
Become a part of a community organization that truly cares about making a difference. Join us in our mission to support and uplift our community through various service projects, youth programs, and charitable activities. Together, we can create a positive impact and build a stronger, more connected community.