Club History
The Kiwanis Club of LaGuardia Airport received its charter on December 6th, 1940. Minutes taken at Club meetings reveal that an early meeting attendee was non other than Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia.
In the early years, Club meetings were held on airport property in the Kittyhawk Bar - part of the original Terrace Restaurant. Membership consisted mainly of airline and para-aviation, airport-based individuals. By 1961 the Club had expanded to include businessmen in the surrounding community. Did I just mention MEN?
Like all service clubs, LGA Kiwanis derives the money it uses for charitable causes from its membership. In the early days, the Club sponsored dances and picnics that were not noted for their profitability. It was then decided to try a horse show. The summer of 1961 saw the first of 10 successful horse shows held just west of the airport on Port Authority property. The annual shows were considered the best one-day US Horse Show Association-sanctioned events in the tri-state area.
The advent of wide-bodied jets, however, and the airport's need for further parking space eventually ended the event. It was then decided to sponsor an annual charity ball and journal. It continues to be the Club's one major fundraiser. Funds are channeled into a variety of community outreach projects, some of which are mentioned above - see 'About Us'.
As mentioned above, the membership consisted of 'men only' until July 7, 1987 when the delegates at the annual Kiwanis International convention voted to elect women to membership. We are proud to acknowledge one of the first women to be inducted to membership of LGA Kiwanis is our own Queens Borough President, The Honorable Helen Marshall.
Today our Club consists of a diverse mix of dedicated volunteers that come from the airline industry, local business people and community leaders. We are always looking for new members. We only ask that you have a strong desire to participate by attending meetings, supporting our community outreach projects and fundraising events. There are countless benefits to becoming a Kiwanis member—fellowship, growing leadership skills, and the opportunity to serve children in your community and around the world.