News for Nov. 2008

CHILDREN'S CLIPPERS EVENT 2008

Kiwanis Club of South Hills sponsored approximately 450 young adults and children to attend a Clippers basketball game on, November 24, 2008 . The Donald T. Sterling Charitable Foundation, in conjunction with Herb and Kay Hafif Foundation in Claremont underwrote the financial cost of the night. Special note for the personal attention of Donald Sterling, president and owner of the Los Angles Clippers, and Executive Director Diane Miller, who made sure that all of his guests were well-treated and personally greeted at Staple's Center.

This was the third annual undertaking of this event by this Kiwanis Club. In addition to the local high school Key Clubs in the City of Covina , the invitation was extended to the Circle K Club at Mount Antonio College and the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona, which is also part of the Kiwanis family. Kiwanis Club of South Hills Covina reached out to the greater community and invited the Masonic Home for Children and its affiliate programs to join us. Additionally, participating was the San Gabriel Children's Center in Covina , AYSO soccer team of Ontario , as well as other youth-oriented programs in San Gabriel-Pomona Valley. The underlining message of Kiwanis International is serving the children of the world one child at a time, and this evening was in keeping with that philosophy. Individuals helping out included past president and organizer of the evening Joel Beezy , past Lieutenant Governor Dr. Mike Tanaka, current President Donald Andrews, Club Secretary George Bishop, Harry Anderson, Key Club coordinator, and new Kiwanis member Steve Sherman. From the school district, teachers Kevin Hodgson , and John Hauser brought students. Representing the Boys and Girls Club of Pomona, Director Cedric Elias and his wife Diane attended.

The evening for most of these children and young adults represented an evening of a personal first; the first professional basketball or sporting event that they ever attended; the first time they were ever on a bus to Los Angeles or perhaps the first time some of the kids shared a good time with a parent. The score of the basketball game did not matter; it was the pure excitement of the evening. For the Kiwanis Club of South Hills, it was the largest turnout ever involving a children's event. Everyone truly had a ball.

See Event Photos here.

See Article in the San Gabiel Valley Tribune about Event here.

See Thank You Letter from Masonic Homes of California here.