The newly minted Greater Northampton Area Kiwanis Club celebrated the receipt of its founding charter at a country-style buffet dinner in the social hall at Tri-Boro Sportsmen Club, 2110 Canal St., Northampton, Sept. 26. Nearly all the inaugural members were present at the dinner.

The master of ceremonies was the leader of the Pennsylvania district, Kiwanis Gov. Tom Harp. Other area Kiwanis local leaders were in attendance to witness the charter presentation and the rolling out of the Greater Northampton Area Kiwanis Club banner.

The Allentown Kiwanis Club will act as mentor to the Northampton club during the next year.

Kiwanis is dedicated to serving communities and improving the lives of children through service projects and fundraising efforts.

Kiwanis International was founded in 1915 in Detroit, Mich., and is the parent of all the local Kiwanis groups, including Northampton. Kiwanis International operates in more than 80 nations with more than 600,000 members in Kiwanis clubs.

Greater Northampton Area Kiwanis Club President Crystal Messer was all smiles throughout the evening. She thanked all 18 members of the new Kiwanis chapter for stepping forward to start the club. All the new members present received a certificate of appreciation from Messer for volunteering to make the club a current and future success.

A basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle were held during the evening. A number of attendees, some affiliated with area Kiwanis clubs, provided checks totaling several hundred dollars as seed money for the new club.

Janet Owen, the lieutenant governor of Kiwanis Division 17/18, welcomed attendees and did the introductions to those attending. Owen also presented the charter document to Messer.

Northampton Kiwanis member Robert McCann and Messer unveiled the blue club banner. After the banner was presented to the attendees, Harp announced there would be the cutting of the charter celebration cake. Linda McNamara, a Northampton Kiwanis Club member, assisted with the cake-cutting and service to attendees.

Closing remarks by Harp and Messer concluded the charter celebration dinner. The warmth and fellowship during the evening was palpable.

To get more information, contribute to or to join the Greater Northampton Area Kiwanis Club, visit its Facebook page.