Among those in attendance at the gala held at the Conewango Club was a descendant of a founding member.

D. Hugh Siggins, who is a past Pennsylvania District Governor (1992-1993) presented a copy of the original charter from July 12, 1922, to 2021-2022 Club President Catherine Hagadorn.

Among the signatures of the 53 charter members was one Hugh A. Siggins.

“My grandfather was a charter member of this club,” D. Hugh Siggins said.

Photo submitted to Times Observer Kiwanis Club of Warren 2021-2022 President Catherine Hagadorn looks over the copy of the club’s original 1922 charter presented to her by Club Member D. Hugh Siggins during the club’s 100 th anniversary gala Saturday at the Conewango Club, finding the name Hugh Siggins (grandfather of D. Hugh Siggins) among the founders.

When the national Kiwanis organization was founded in 1915, its name was derived from a Native American term translated to “We Trade.”

By the time Warren’s club was founded, the organization had taken on the motto — “We Build.”

That stuck around until 2005 when Kiwanis settled upon “Serving the children of the world.”

The club plans to make strides toward that motto.

Club Member Dennis Hedges presented a brief history of the club.

“The Kiwanis Club of Warren was chartered over 100 years ago,” he said.

“It continues to strive to improve the quality of life in the community of Warren, with an emphasis on service to children.”

Hedges spoke of his memories of some of the leaders and characters and some of the club’s events through the years.

The club has been best known locally for the Joe Passaro Election Day Spaghetti Dinner (68 years) and the Kiwanis Blood Screening (44 years).

The club recognized long-standing members with admittance into the Legion of Honors — Dr. David Brook (25 years), Hagadorn (25 years), and Jonathan Carlson, and John Kersey (35 years).

The club asked Kaitlin Sleeman to present her award-winning essay on volunteerism.

Both State Rep. Kathy Rapp and State Sen. Scott Hutchinson read from the citations within their respective houses of the legislature which “take great pleasure in” honoring the club on the “momentous occasion of its 100th anniversary.”

“My thanks to all of you,” Rapp said. “You do a wonderful job.”

“My congratulations and thank you,” Hutchinson said.

Pennsylvania District Governor Sarah Zulueta also attended the gala. “I want to thank you for your century’s worth of service here in Warren,” she said.

From its founding in the 1920s, the Kiwanis Club of Warren is down to just over 40 members, but those members are committing to the long-term.

“Remember the dance. Enjoy the dance,” Club Member and Master of Ceremonies Richard Merenick said. “We’re going to continue with Kiwanis for another 100 years.”