“Serving the Community’s Greatest Need.” That motto encapsulates the spirit of the Kinsmen, a Canadian organization with a rich history.
The Kinsmen Club was born in Hamilton, Ontario. Hal A. Rogers founded it on February 20, 1920. Rogers rallied Kin troops across Canada. They raised funds to purchase powdered milk for British children.
The goal was to purchase one million quarts of milk in the first year. Within nine months, they supplied more than three million quarts. By the end of the Milk for Britain campaign, the Kin family had raised nearly $3 million. They sent 50 million quarts of milk to Britain.
In 1945, the association helped found the World Council of Young Men’s Service Clubs. This gave the motto “Serving the Community’s Greatest Need” a more global perspective.
In 1964, the Kinsmen Club of North York began working with cystic fibrosis. Support grew for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. It is now the Association’s major project.
The Association celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 1970. The entire country supported a national project. It raised $400,000 to assist in the construction of the Kinsmen National Institute of Mental Retardation. This institute was built at York University in Toronto. It opened on February 20, 1970.
The late 70s gave the Kinsmen a heightened profile. This was through their involvement in the Particip-action Movement. Kinsmen led the way in building fitness-oriented parks. They opened more than 100 by the early 1980s.
In 1985, over $1 million was raised for cystic fibrosis research. In 1987, CF was adopted as a National Service Project.
In 1986, Kin assisted wheelchair athlete Rick Hansen. They helped him on the final stretch of his world journey.
In 2003, devastating fires ripped through British Columbia. Many people were left homeless. Kin Canada pledged more than $50,000 and 30,000 pounds of beef to help. Also in September 2003, BBQ Canada was launched. It was an initiative of Kinsmen and Kinettes. It supported the ailing beef industry in Canada. Kin clubs hosted free barbecues on Labor Day. This showed the world that Canadian beef is safe. This one-day event made the Guinness Book of World Records. It served more than 280,000 individuals a beef product.
In 2010, Kin Canada celebrated the Association’s 90th Anniversary. Kin raised over $50,000 to support Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
In 2011, Kin Canada launched the Portraits of Honour National Tour. It was an oil painting mural of the 157 soldiers killed in Afghanistan. It raised awareness and funds to help those affected by the war. It supported the Military Family Fund.
The Kinsmen continue to serve. They meet community needs and support national initiatives. Their legacy is one of service, camaraderie, and commitment to Canada.