Club History

        The Kiwanis Club of Oliver came into existence in 1962.The first Club executive was installed September 28, 1962, by Field Representative Ray Rohrer and Walter Toeves of the sponsoring Summerland club. The executive consisted of President Bruce Echlin, Vice President Ron Amos, Secretary Bill Kreller and Treasurer Bob Potter. Directors were Chas Walker, Grant Wheeler, George Ronald, Henry Horkoff, Jim Sowerby, Ed Ruck and Eric Shannon. The charter was received in November 1962.
        The Kiwanis Club of Oliver has been involved in and sponsored many of our young people over the past 40 years. The Girl Guides, Brownies, Boy Scouts, Cubs, Air Cadets and an Oliver Youth Ambassador have all been sponsored. The Aktion Club was formed on September 1, 1993 for the handicapped members of the community. Many of them are from Beaver Lodge. The Aktion Club has been a huge success. They run their meetings with a President and executive and have a lending library on 99th Street. The Oliver Kiwanis Pee Wee Invitational Hockey Tournament was sponsored for many years as well as a boys football club.
        The Search and Rescue group as well as the South Okanagan General Hospital have received assistance for new equipment over the years.
        Fund raising events have included the sale of Christmas trees, a “Duck” race, a “Golf Ball” race, chicken barbeque during Oliver Day celebrations, sale of tickets for a large children’s playhouse and many other raffles.
        In 1981 the TV channel “The Knowledge Network” was sponsored. Donations have been made to the figure skating club, ladies minor hockey and the World Health Organization.
        The Kiwanis Housing Society for seniors was formed in 1969 with 8 units. The next complex of 17 units was built in 1974 with the help of the Legion. It was built on land donated by the Board of Directors of Sunnybank. In 1979 the Kiwanis Manor opened with 27 units. The sale of Christmas trees was started to help finance these projects. In 1997 18 more units in Arbor Lane were leased from BC Housing and are administered by Kiwanis Housing.
        The Kiwanis Club financed the building of Kiwanis Park and supplied the seats and walkway. Tables have also been placed in the Kinsman Park and benches on the Hike and Bike Trail.
         On September 27, 2002 the 40th Anniversary celebration was held. Five charter members; President Bruce Echlin, Treasurer Bob Potter, Arpad Palley, Fred Fritz and Ken Potter attended the celebration. Bruce and Bob were continuous members for the entire 40 years. Since Bruce's passing, Bob remains the lone surviving charter member still with the club. Harold Dawson celebrated his 25th year with the club. We look forward to the next 40 years.
           The Kiwanis People’s Market was started in April 1999 and is now instrumental in raising funds for more than 50 different organizations in the community.

Club Presidents since 1962.

1962–Bruce Echlin, Chartering President
1963–Ron Amos,
1964-Bill Kreller,
1965-Len Pinske,
1966 Ted Galbraith,
1967-Bob Potter,
1968-Hugh Thompson,
1969-Bill Leverett,
1970-Al Winn,
1971-Storey Wilson,
1972-Ed Ruck,
1973-Dick Sladen,
1974-Roy Coleman,
1975-Roy Kennedy,
1976-Chuck Harvey,
1977-Ed Anderson,
77-78 Ron Bonnett,
78-79 Louis Fedor,
79-80 Ivan Gamble,
80-81 Lionel Somers,
81-82 Wes Zoerb,
82-83 Art Osland,
83-84 Harold Dawson,
84-85 Jim Morgan,
85-86 Tony Hintz,
86-87 Alf Biech,
87-89 Ron Bonnett,
90-91 Larry Larson,
92-93 Rick Lundin,
97-00 Lawrence Howell,
00-01 Don Osborne,
01-02 Bill Dean,
02-03 Dan Roberts,
03-04 Wayne Kreut,
04-05 Brian Pawluk.
05-06 Wayne Kreut,
06-07 Dan Roberts,
07-08 Ken Yoxall,
08-09 Lee Chic,
09-10 Wayne Kreut,