The Noon Kiwanis Club’s Thursday meeting will take on an air of added significance as the group celebrates its 40th anniversary.

In addition, the club will also mark the 100th anniversary of Kiwanis International.

To help celebrate the significant event, Mayor Linda Kavanagh will issue a proclamation Thursday declaring Feb. 19 as “Kiwanis International Day” in Fountain Hills.

She will issue the proclamation at the Town Council’s Thursday evening meeting.

The mayor also is an invited guest to Thursday’s noon luncheon meeting by the club at the Kiwanis Activity Center.

The Kiwanis Club of Fountain Hills (Noon) was the first service organization established in town, with its charter being issued in early 1975.

The Sunset Kiwanis Club wasn’t far behind, getting chartered in the fall of 1976.

The Noon club’s Thursday luncheon is designated as a special “presidents day” and will honor all the past club presidents who are still here.

Two club charter members who were with the organization in 1975 will be recognized as well.

Joe DeBlasi, governor for the Kiwanis Southwest District, will be on hand along with Rose Ann Dodson, SWD secretary.

Ron Smith of Fountain Hills, a trustee on the Kiwanis International Foundation board, will be present as well.

“The Noon Kiwanis Club has been integral to the history and development of Fountain Hills,” said Al Roselieb, the club’s current president.

“Our club has probably been responsible for donating hundreds of thousands of dollars back into the community in the form of grants, scholarships and other financial contributions to many local causes and organizations.

“And that doesn’t even count the contributions to Kiwanis causes since 1975.”

Besides financial contributions over the decades, the Noon Kiwanis Club continues to change and strengthen its growing reputation as a hands-on service club, Roselieb added.

“This gives members many opportunities to get involved with children, helping needy families and providing all kinds of outreach efforts,” Roselieb added.

“Our club has achieved tremendous things through the years, and now we will be able to celebrate our many accomplishments.”