James Walsh, Lieutenant Governor’s Choice Award

President of the Kiwanis Club of Rocklin

A special award was presented to James Walsh, president of the Kiwanis Club of Rocklin, this week.  Lt. Gov. James Chambers III, leader of Division 44 of the international service club, made the award at the Thursday Kiwanis lunch meeting in Rocklin.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Choice Award is given annually to the top club of the 15 Kiwanis clubs in Division 44.  The division covers an area from Sacramento to Grass Valley, and as far east as Amador County.

As president of Rocklin Kiwanis, Walsh oversaw the growth of his organization from 31 to 53 members.  Walsh joined Kiwanis locally in early 2008, and made a quick climb to the presidency.

In his year of service, which ends officially on Oct. 1, the club introduced the city’s St. Patrick’s Parade. The club also handed out scholarships to area high school students, took 130 needy children shopping at the annual K Kid’s Day at Kmart, served dinners for the homeless at the Gathering Inn, supported a high school Key Club, and chartered a Circle K Club at Sierra College.  The club is currently starting a couple of BUGS (Bring Up Grades) programs at Antelope Creek and Rocklin Elementary Schools.

The Rocklin club is among the fastest growing Kiwanis clubs in California, Nevada and Hawaii and is in contention for another special award for membership growth.

Earlier this year, the club was honored by the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce as the city’s outstanding nonprofit organization.

The Rocklin club was founded locally in 1994 and has been actively involved in Rocklin activities ever since.