A major milestone was celebrated at the flag raising ceremony in Niagara-on-the-Lake last Thursday.

Members of the NOTL Kinsmen Club gathered at the town hall to recognize 100 years of Kin Canada giving back to local communities.

Flags were raised across the country, starting at sunrise on the east coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and spanning to the west coast of Vancouver Island.

The week of Feb.16-22 was also proclaimed the Kin Canada Week in many communities. 

Founded in Hamilton in 1920, the all-Canadian service club organization has since expanded into more than 400 Kinsmen, Kinette and Kin clubs across Canada.

Since its inception, Kin Canada has raised more than $1 billion for communities across the nation. Raised money helped local families and supported community programs and services. 

Kin Canada clubs are grouped into eight districts across the country and each district is divided into zones.

NOTL is part of Zone D that covers the area from Grimsby to Fort Erie and across to Cayuga. There are 13 clubs in Zone D, which is overseen by deputy governor Lori Dawn Antaya.

“Today is a monumental day for Kin Canada and we’re honoured to celebrate it with our community,” Antaya said in a speech Thursday. “With the Niagara-on-the-Lake support, we look forward to serving the community for many more years to come and here’s to the next 100 years.”

Celebrating the landmark occasion at the town hall were also Lord Mayor Betty Disero and Coun. Erwin Wens.

NOTL Kinsmen host a variety of events raising money for local charities such as Gillian’s Place, Red Roof Retreat, Women’s Place of South Niagara and many others.

In April, the club will celebrate its own anniversary – 50 years of serving the NOTL community.

The Niagara Falls were also lit up red and white Thursday night in celebration of Kin Canada’s milestone.