By Harrison Power
Among the many service organizations of Modesto is the Kiwanis Club of North Modesto, a longtime supporter of local non-profits and programs focused on enhancing children’s growth and development. Not only does North Modesto Kiwanis volunteer throughout the year, but it also organizes and hosts the kickoff to Graffiti Summer: the American Graffiti Festival and Parade! North Modesto Kiwanis members have been active in the community since the club was chartered in 1966, and while its members and signature fundraisers have changed with time, the Club has continued its devotion to building a better community through service, friendship, and good will.
The original Modesto Kiwanis Club was established in 1923, and as the city’s population and interest in service organizations grew throughout the following decades, the Modesto Kiwanis Club sponsored new clubs to expand Kiwanis membership – first, the Kiwanis Club of Greater Modesto chartered in 1954, then the Kiwanis Club of North Modesto chartered in 1966. A committee of Modesto Kiwanis members had been created with the challenge of chartering a third club, among whom were Gary Vukich, Curly Church, Tommy Thomas, and Walt Thompson. Their efforts and connections were fruitful, with a contingent of new members associated with Modesto Junior College, and the North Modesto Kiwanis Club was successfully established.
The Charter Officials consisted of Francois d’Artenay, President; James Hartman, First Vice President; Donald Rosenberg, Second Vice President; Louis Schlenker, Secretary-Treasurer; and Directors Arden Anderson, E.W. English, Robert Martin, Gary West, Paul Wood, Ron Lattin, and Steve Collins. One of the first meetings of the Club was held on October 20, 1966 at Toppers Steakhouse at the Motel Phyl-Nor, where then-State Senate candidate Richard Lyng was the guest speaker. From there, meetings would go on to be held at the Sundial Restaurant for many years. The Kiwanis Club of North Modesto held its Charter Fete at the Hotel Covell Fable Room on November 26, 1966.
In 1967, North Modesto Kiwanis launched what would become an iconic community fundraiser for over 50 years: the Chicken A-Go-Go, a one-stop fully prepared chicken dinner, originally costing just $1.75 for adults and $0.75 for kids. In 1981, the Club held its first Concours d’Elegance at the MJC West Campus, sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America, and over time the Concours was adapted to include more representation of hot rod cruisers. This eventually gave rise to the American Graffiti Festival and Parade, the now signature North Modesto Kiwanis Club event and fundraiser! A celebration of Modesto’s deep-rooted cruising and classic car culture, funds raised throughout the festival weekend go right back into the community through donations to nonprofits, sponsorships of programs doing invaluable work to benefit children and all Modestans, and scholarships to college-bound high school students.
In addition to its summer time events, North Modesto Kiwanis has key programs during the holiday season. In partnership with the City of Modesto, the Club hosts the Breakfast with Santa, raising money to support the city’s “leisure bucks” program which helps to make recreational activities accessible to all. The Club wraps up the holidays with its Christmas Basket program, which coordinates donated food, toys, and books to provide food and gift baskets to families in need.
The North Modesto Kiwanis Club, like all Kiwanis International clubs, aims to do right by the community and holds the commitment to altruism through camaraderie as pivotal to its purpose. Thank you to the past members and leaders who carried the Club forward, and the current members who continue the good and impactful work on behalf of all Modesto.
Special thank you to Gary Vukich, first charter member of North Modesto Kiwanis, who shared information for this article. In honor and remembrance of Steve Collins, charter member, and longtime member Bob Dunbar, who the North Modesto Kiwanis family lost this year, 2025.
