Donation honors 111 years of Sertoma Club service in St. Joseph

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- One of St. Joseph's longest-serving organizations was honored for more than a century of community service by the group's international board of directors.

Members of the St. Joseph Sertoma Club were recognized with a $5,000 donation as part of a special ceremony at San Jose Steakhouse on Tuesday. Sertoma International Executive Director Jason Camis also issued a proclamation honoring the group's achievement.

The St. Joseph Sertoma Club, one of the oldest in the country, was founded in 1914, just two years after the organization was first launched in Kansas City.

Since then, generations of Sertoma Club members have left their mark on St. Joseph by creating and participating in events that benefit the community and honor the nation. What started with a charity auction later grew into sponsoring the Sertoma Duck races and the Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot.

The organization also places American Flags on 10 different occasions at businesses throughout the community, such as on the anniversary of 9/11, in addition to volunteer efforts with Meals on Wheels.

Fundraising efforts have benefitted several local organizations and events in the community, including the Noyes Home, AFL-CIO's Adopt-A-Family program, United Way, YMCA, Special Olympics, Scouting America, The Arts Fund and Pumpkinfest.