First published in the Nov. 26 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
The Kiwanis Club of La Cañada recently reached a milestone with its 75th Annual Installation of Officers and Board of Directors celebration.
With the La Cañada High School String Quartet serenading the 60 members and guests at the Oakmont Country Club, the formal passing of the gavel was made to newly inaugurated President Trish McRae from immediate past President Terry Piasky.
Master of Ceremonies Michael Leininger officiated the festivities with humor and distinction as Michael Freed led a patriotic song, accompanied by Linda Fors on the piano. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted by Nancy Leininger, with Joe Radabaugh reciting the inspirational poem “Helping Others” by Kate Summers.
Before the new board’s installation, two awards were announced that had been kept as a surprise. The 2021-22 Gil Smith Award was presented to Pat Liddell for his exemplary service and countless volunteer hours to the club and the community; with the 2021-22 Rookie of the Year award going to Stephanie Arnold for her outstanding leadership and service to the club as a new member.
Trish McRae’s acceptance speech, propelled by her theme of “Making Service Count for Kids,” focused on youth. At the top of her list are Kiwanis programs, such as the local Key Club for high school students, Builders Club for 7/8, and Terrific Kids, which recognizes deserving 6th grade elementary students.
“Getting to this point has been an incredible journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do good for the kids and all the community,” McRae said. “We have a great board, and our members are amazing. I’m an idea person, a trait I got from my dad. I look forward to working together to make things happen so we can inspire kids to be the best they can be.”
When asked what her philosophy about youth is, McRae best summed it up with a quote by C.S. Lewis: “Children are not a distraction from more important work; they are the most important work.”
McRae joined Kiwanis in July of 2018, and from that day forward, Kiwanis became an inspiration in her life’s work.
Originally from Gilroy, California’s garlic capital, McRae and her husband, David (to whom she has been married since 1985), have three adult children. They met at McDonald’s while teens and helped one another through college. While in Gilroy, David McRae served on the GUSD Board of Education. They moved their family to La Cañada Flintridge more than 13 years ago when he got an offer to work at LADWP in power systems generation.
With degrees in child development and marketing, Trish McRae has worked as an assistant to the vice principal of counseling at Gilroy High School, was a translator and registrar of students, and taught teachers and employees how to use new computer systems during the era of transition from paper to computers. One of her favorite jobs was being a preschool teacher. Trish McRae previously worked for the Salinas Californian and the Gilroy Dispatch in advertising/public relations and is currently studying to reignite her career as a realtor.
Trish McRae is inspired in life through her philanthropic endeavors. She has a passion for helping make better the lives of children. She helped create an Arts Alive program for GUSD when the art program budget got slashed. She has served on multiple PTA Boards and budget committees and has been the fundraising coordinator for numerous philanthropic events for more than 25 years. In addition, she was the chair of various positions for the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival.
This past May, McRae served as the scholarship director for the Community Scholarship Foundation of LCF. In addition, she is the past-president of the La Cañada Junior Women’s Club, having served for two years. For the Kiwanis, McRae is dedicated to the task of building membership and bringing service to children locally, and of the world. Her love of community is nurtured by serving as an ambassador for the LCF Chamber of Commerce, as a board member of the LCF Trails Council, and as a member of the LCF Tournament of Roses Association and the LCF Sister Cities Association.
Another part of the evening’s program included special greetings, commemorative plaques or certificates to outgoing President Terry Piasky received from state Sen. Anthony Portantino and U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff; including presentations made by Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s Assistant Field Deputy for the San Gabriel Valley Savannah Moore; La Cañada Flintridge Mayor Keith Eich; and La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Pat Anderson. Among the dignitaries attending the event were LCF Mayor Pro Tem Rick Gunter, LCF Councilwoman Terry Walker, LCUSD Board of Education Governing Board Vice President Joe Radabaugh, and Governing Board member Caroline Anderson, LCF City Manager Mark Alexander and Capt. Robert Hahnlein of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
As the outgoing officers and board of directors were thanked, their formal retirement was conducted by 2021-22 Kiwanis Division 3 Lt. Gov. Jose Sierra. The official installation of the incoming 2022-23 officers and directors was presided over by 2022-23 Kiwanis Division 3 Lt. Gov. Cathy Keen.
If local residents are interested in learning more about Kiwanis or want to attend a meeting that includes featured speakers or “K-Mix,” a monthly networking evening social for members and business members, email kiwaniscluboflacanada@gmail.com, or call (818) 495-5141.
“With the club’s invigorated tagline of ‘Be Kind, Be Cool, Be Our Guest,’ Kiwanians are ready to make a difference to help kids be their best,” a Kiwanis spokesperson said.
