Calgarians celebrate 100th anniversary of non-profit Kin Canada
Calgary Samaritans celebrated Kin Canada’s 100th anniversary Thursday with a flag-raising ceremony at city hall.
The national organization, whose roots grew from Hamilton, Ont., commemorated the centennial anniversary with long-standing local charity partners and about 150 volunteers.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who spoke at the Calgary celebration, proclaimed Feb. 20 as Kin Canada Day to honour the landmark anniversary.
To date, Kin Canada has raised more than $1 billion supporting local and national charities across the nation.
Bonnie Joseph, past national president of Kin Canada, said the milestone is a momentous achievement.
“It means we have survived 100 years,” said Joseph. “Through everything that has gone on in this country to be stronger and to build community and community from coast to coast — all the way from St. John’s, N.L., to the furthest tips of Tofino on Vancouver Island.”
The organization started with a group of men in Hamilton. Clubs quickly cropped up across Canada, with First World War veterans looking for ways to give back while experiencing the camaraderie they had felt while serving.
Four years after the first club’s inception, the Calgary Kin club formed in 1924, and soon after an all-women club was created called the Kinettes — all with the purpose of serving the community’s greatest needs.
“Here’s to another 100 years,” Joseph said to a roaring crowd.
Now, Calgary has five clubs — the Kinsmen Club of Calgary, Kinette Club of Calgary, Kinsmen Club of the Stampede City, Stampede City Kinette Club and the University of Calgary Kin Campus Club — with more than 400 clubs across Canada.
Celebrating alongside Kin Canada on Thursday were dignitaries from long-standing partner organizations, including the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, Calgary Stampede and Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Saifa Koonar, hospital foundation president and CEO, said support from Kin Canada has helped the children’s hospital become a national and international leader in child health care and research.
“I often say that while the province has given us a great hospital, it’s truly the support of the citizens of this community that has changed the landscape of pediatric health care in southern Alberta,” said Koonar.
“What has remained constant over the decades is the kinsmen and kinettes’ dedication to the community and service to others.”
She said support from Kin Canada predates the hospital foundation and helped create the first centre in pediatric research at the Alberta Children’s Hospital, made newborn testing for cystic fibrosis across Canada possible and helped revolutionize diagnostic imaging and research.
Nenshi, too, celebrated decades of hard work and dedication by Kin Canada volunteers.
He said seeing their community-driven efforts to positively affect Canadians is a necessary reminder that good can prevail despite divisive conversations, with anger and hatred seeping into our communities.
“When I worry about the future of our city and of our nation I’m reminded of people like every one of you,” Nenshi said to the audience.
“I’m reminded that the success of our community comes from the fact that everyday people understand that it’s not about good-looking politicians ... it’s about all of us. About everyday people using our everyday hands and our everyday hearts and, especially today in these troubled times, our everyday voices to look after one another.”