We are celebrating this month the 50th year of the Kiwanis Club of Little Havana, of which, at 26 years of age, I had the distinction of being the charter president. Our club is well known worldwide for the Calle Ocho Festival, the biggest heritage event in the U.S. We have six Guinness World Records: largest Conga Line, largest Cigar, largest Piñata… We think big!
Less is known about the many projects that help our youth, numerous of them going on for decades and not only in Little Havana, but also in many neighborhoods.
Calle Ocho, which at the request of tourism leaders expanded to the week-long Carnaval Miami, partners with sponsors to finance projects like our inner-city youth basketball league. Coached by our members, it is in its 50th year, not only mentoring the participants but also creating opportunities.
