PROUD TO BE CANADIAN

The Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs across Canada are the ONLY all Canadian service clubs in the country.  We were founded on Feb. 20th, 1920 in Hamilton Ontario by Hal Rodgers a WW1 Canadian War veteran. Over the years the association has grown to hundreds of clubs across Canada (currently around 200).  All of the other major service organizations were formed in other countries.

Almost all of our fundraising dollars stays in Canada.  Our motto is “Servicing the communities greatest needs”.  

The Chatham Kinsmen club was chartered om August 1928 as the 16th club in the association.

Some of our major contributions to the city are.  The gifting of the Kinsmen Auditorium (for $1) in 1948.  It was used for many years hosting major events, conventions and shows until it’s demolition. We gave a $100,000 donation to the building of ARC Industries at the end of Park Ave W.  We built Kinsmen Pee Wee baseball park in 1949.  A founding donation of $50,001 given to the Active Lifestyle’s Centre Grand Opening.  A major addition to, at that time the Northside Arena in 1986 was done to be followed by then major renovations in approx. 2005-2006.  When the Thames Campus arena was constructed, we donated $50,000 to purchase its Zamboni. Later on, several Mini Vans were donated to the Chatham Police as a safety service vehicle for Elmer the safety Elephant.

Some our service projects. In 1951 Elmer the Safety Elephant was brought to life from the Ontario Safety Council Books by our Past President George Nuttall with a large hand-crafted likeness.  On a yearly basis Elmer toured all of the Elementary schools in Chatham.  He was accompanied by Police, Fire and Ambulatory services and was the only live bodied Elmer in the country for many years.  Chatham Kinsmen took over the Spring Fair when the Jaycees folded in 2006. It runs today in late May or early June & lately with no gate fee.  For many years we put on a pancake breakfast during Canada day festivities and served thousands.  In 2003 during the beef embargo, we cooked around 4000 beef burgers along with corn, free, in Tecumseh Park thus helping to set a Guiness Book world record!! Page: Home