Commissioners proclaim Kiwanis Club of State College’s 100th anniversary

The Centre County Board of Commissioners adopted Proclamation No. 10 of 2025 on March 21, recognizing the Kiwanis Club of State College in Centre County on its 100th anniversary.

Club members — identified in the meeting as Paul, Kathy and Ann — described the Kiwanis Club’s local service work, including a children’s reading program that donates books to day‑care classrooms, annual preschool grants of up to $500 for materials, support for local nonprofit programs (Center Volunteers in Medicine, TIDES grief support, the Janna Marie Foundation) and a long‑running blueberry sale that funds local grants.

Kathy said the club is focusing this year on supporting the local child‑care sector through a coalition of businesses and community partners; she told commissioners that childcare worker pay and affordability are central problems driving closures and staff shortages.

The club invited commissioners to a formal centennial celebration at the Wyndham Hotel in State College on May 17; county commissioners accepted the proclamation and posed with the club for photos following the meeting.

Why it matters: the proclamation recognizes a century of volunteer service and highlights local nonprofit partnerships and a new coalition effort aimed at child‑care support.

Quote from the meeting "Our mission is serving the children ... we turned a hundred years old in April," Kathy said, describing the club's focus on early childhood programs.

What’s next The proclamation will be filed with the county record; club leaders said invitations are being sent for the May 17 celebration.