A CENTURY IN PICTURES

1936: Kiwanis members gathered with Mountain View High School athletes at Adobe Hall, reflecting the club's enduring commitment to community and youth.

In the first year after World War II, many members were returning veterans who continued their commitment to serving both their country and their community.

Kiwanis members, spouses, and guests gather for a 1947 dinner, reflecting the fellowship and community spirit that have long been part of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View.

Originating in Mountain View and then relocating to Los Altos, the Kiwanis Pet Parade is a beloved, free community tradition held annually downtown. The parade features hundreds of children and their pets marching along a route spanning First, Main, and State streets.

Photo courtesy of Los Altos Village Association.

1951 fundraising flyer for “A Plan for Scouting in Mountain View,” sponsored by the Mountain View Kiwanis Club. The campaign invited community support for a Boys’ and Girls’ Scout Center with meeting space, athletic fields, and recreation areas for local youth.

In 1951, the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View helped turn a long-planned community dream into reality by supporting the creation of a Boys’ and Girls’ Scout Center on Leksich Avenue. The first Scout buildings were moved onto the site that year, providing a new home for local youth programs.

Harry Sforzini, manager of Mancini Motors, is pictured during his installation as president of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View. The club celebrated its new officers at a dinner dance attended by members and guests.

This 1951 program shows the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View’s Installation Ceremonies and Past Presidents’ Party, held at Rickey’s Studio Club as the club welcomed its new officers and honored past presidents.

This 1951 committee roster for Mountain View Kiwanis shows the wide range of work carried by club members, from scholarships and youth programs to public affairs, church support, civilian defense, and even a “Stunt Committee.” The committees listed include Attendance, Inter-Club Relations, Kiwanis Education, New Club & Key Club, Programs & Music, Achievement Report, Public Relations, Reception, Stunt, Membership, Scholarship, Boys & Girls Work, Public & Business Affairs, Support of Churches, Underprivileged Child, Special Events, Civilian Defense, House, and Building.

At the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View’s 25th anniversary celebration in 1951, charter member Bay Hays was honored for serving as club secretary for 25 years. Hays and Clarence M. Lawson also received certificates recognizing 25 years of unbroken service to Kiwanis.

Past presidents of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View dress in costume to promote Kiwanis National Kids’ Day at Rickey’s Studio Club in 1952. Pictured left to right are Harry Sforzini, Walter Seibert, A. Pete Christiansen, and Carl E. Anderson.

1954: Dr. Wendell E. Brown takes over as president of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View. Outgoing president Walter A. Seibert passes the gavel to Brown during installation ceremonies at Rickey’s Studio Club, with past Lieutenant Governor James E. Peart looking on.

Kiwanis Club of Mountain View members gather for a luncheon in 1955, continuing the club’s tradition of fellowship, civic leadership, and service to the community.

This 1955 page preserves the names and signatures from a “Typical Board of Directors Meeting” of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View. Listed are Bay L. Hays, Hans Lie, Charles Crooke, Joe Palmateer, Marion Gates, Harry Sforzini, Chester Awalt, Walter Seibert, Renehart Monson, and Bob Yeary.

The Mountain View Kiwanis Board of Directors gathers at Rickey’s Studio Club on August 19, 1958, during the presidency of Tom Tripiano. Handwritten labels on the photo preserve the names of many members seated around the table.

Bay L. Hays is honored for his extraordinary service to the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View: 40 years as club secretary, 1 year as club president, 1 year as Division Lieutenant Governor, 42 years of club and community service, and 42 years of perfect attendance.

The 1971-72 Kiwanis Club of Mountain View Board of Directors is recognized during an installation dinner. The scrapbook notes the outgoing board being “de-installed,” with members including Sam Pickard, Lee Gerber, Bob Garrow, Mario Lally, and Mario Gemello.

Candid moments from a Kiwanis Club of Mountain View event, featuring past presidents Don Bellew, Chet Awalt, I. J. Woodman, and Harold Simmonds; Pete Christiansen, Hank Hannibal, and Mario Gemello; Secretary Bay L. Hays and assistant; and Bob Schatz with Past Lieutenant Governor Fred Schallich.

Kiwanis Club of Mountain View members are recognized during a club event, including Alfred Olson, Chester Awalt, Frank Pritchett, Past President Harold Simmonds, and Maurice Daubin. The page captures both formal acknowledgments and informal conversation among longtime members.

At a 1964 gathering of Mountain View Kiwanis past presidents, the club offers a playful sendoff to “Sput” and welcome to “Tom,” reflecting the humor and fellowship that marked many Kiwanis traditions.

Mountain View Kiwanis members gather for fellowship over dinner. Pictured are Don Bellew, Ken Malovos, Art Freeman, Mr. Semans, John Clarkson, Mario Gemello, and Dr. Wendell Brown.

Albert Gribaldo, pictured with his wife, Beatrice, was named Mountain View’s Citizen of the Year in 1972 by the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce. A dedicated civic volunteer, Gribaldo was active in the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Commission, and local school parent groups.

Mountain View Kiwanis members join young participants at a community event, continuing the club’s tradition of supporting local youth and families.

Hugo Giske and other Mountain View Kiwanis members take to the skies for an inter-club visit with the Lompoc Kiwanis Club. The scrapbook notes that 18 members flew 5,500 man-miles in one day aboard four private planes piloted by club members.

The Foothill Fanfares from Foothill College perform at a Kiwanis Club of Mountain View event, alongside a newspaper clipping announcing Ralph A. Cowden II of Los Altos Hills as the club’s incoming president. Cowden planned to focus the club’s youth programs on Operation Drug Alert.

Top photo: Brown Taylor and Nick Galiotto.
Bottom photo: Gary Mailander and member.

Top photo: Charles Hayden and Frank Zajac.
Bottom photo: Frank Zajac and member.

Through the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View’s Child Spree program, local students selected by their teachers received extra support for the school year with a shopping trip to Kohl’s. Kiwanis members, community volunteers, and later Key Club students helped children choose clothing and other essentials they personally needed.

Inside Kohl’s, Child Spree was filled with energy and excitement as students shopped for school-year essentials with the help of Kiwanis and Key Club volunteers. The event gave children the chance to choose items for themselves while being supported by caring adults and student leaders.

Photographed during the club's 85th Anniversary in 2011, the Children's Shopping Spree is a Kiwanis Club of Mountain View program that helps local students prepare for the school year. In partnership with the Mountain View Whisman School District and the Mountain View Police Department, children shop with Kiwanis, Key Club, and adult volunteers for clothing, shoes, and other school essentials.

Frank Zajac and Dan Hoppe.

Frank Zajac. A secretary's work is never done!

The Kiwanis Special Games are an annual, all-inclusive sporting event for uniquely abled children in Santa Clara County. Founded in 1978 by Adaptive Physical Education teachers Betty Fairchild and Sue Carr Katra, the program was expanded region-wide when they partnered with Walter Chronert of the Kiwanis Club of Los Altos.

For many years, Mountain View Kiwanis members staffed a popular Polish sausage and corn booth at the Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. Proceeds from the booth helped support the club’s local service projects, youth programs, scholarships, and community grants.

Marshall Absalom (center).

The corn was provided by restaurateur John Akkaya from Don Giovanni, and the sausages were provided by Dittmer Bubert of Dittmer’s Gourmet Meats & Wurst-Haus (located near South Los Altos).

Desk Depot owner and long-time Kiwanian Richard Erickson.

Arts and crafts event at a community Christmas party.

Former Mountain View Police Captain Michael Freeberg continued his lifelong commitment to public service after retirement by serving as Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View Foundation Grants Committee. Under his leadership, the Foundation awarded grants totaling millions of dollars to local nonprofit organizations, extending the club's century-long legacy of community service. Shown here with a local Boy Scout at a Kiwanis community event.

Hugo Giske and Bob Murie.

Paul Goldstein (left foreground) and Dan Hoppe (right foreground) at the Arbor Day tree planting event.

Frank Zajak, Rick Meyer, and Paul Goldstein use a powerful auger for the Arbor Day Service Project

Mark Lindberg, Paul Goldstein, and Rick Meyer.

Sandy and Margaret Gum.

Margaret Gum, Chris Kuzmal, and Sandy Gum.

Seated: H. Giske.
Standing: M. Absalon.

Frank Zajac, longtime secretary for the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View, organizes a meeting for members.

Mountain View Key Clubbers cleaning up Cuesta Park as a service project for the community.

Frank Zajac and Key Clubbers at a foundation grant awards banquet.

Former President and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Versic with her father Pete Versic enjoying a birthday celebration during a club meeting.

John Akkaya, owner of Ristorante Don Giovanni, has been a longtime friend and host of the Kiwanis Club of Mountain View. Located on Castro Street, Don Giovanni has served as a regular gathering place for club meetings and celebrations, a tradition that continues today with Kiwanis grant presentations and scholarship awards.