The Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach Gardens was founded in early 1983 . Then Florida Kiwanis Governor Olin Taylor contacted our Division 20 Lt. Governor Jake Swartout (now a Past Governor himself) with regard to establishing a much needed Kiwanis Club in the growing Palm Beach Gardens area. In April of that year, Governor Taylor and Lt. Governor Swartout pounded the payment in search of businessmen (women were not eligible to join in those days), under the following creed: "Acting in the belief that a Kiwanis Club established in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida would be to the best interests of this community, we, as representative citizens, give our unqualified endorsement to this movement to petition Kiwanis International to establish a Kiwanis Club here, to which end we pledge our active support."

A Charter Banquet with formal attire was held the following spring at the J.D.M. Country Club (now known as BallenIsles Country Club), followed by official Incorporation with the State of Florida on April 12, 1984. Over the ensuing years, many active members have come and gone, and none of the 27 charter members remain. In 1987 when women were permitted to join Kiwanis, Margaret Magee, Branch Manager of the First American Bank & Trust was our first on August 18, 1987. Sylvia Carton, who joined in 1988 and served as the Club's first female Club President for the 1993/94 administrative year. Since that time, the Club has been led by four other female Club Presidents. And the history continues... For more information about us, check out our News page and our Activities Calendar. And to see what we're doing with kids in the area, why not take a look at our Sponsored Youth page?