Toy donations. Christmas baskets. Scholarship giving. This doesn't sound like the normal activities of a social club, but a social club is still how many members of the Italian American Ladies Auxiliary of Kenosha, who celebrated their 95th anniversary Thursday, describe themselves. The auxiliary, part of the Italian American Club at 2217 52nd St. honored past presidents and members during Thursday's event.

The auxiliary began in 1924 as a way for Italian immigrants to receive legal and financial help, among other things. Darlene Venci, who was president of the auxiliary from 2004 to 2014, said the group's original goal was pretty straightforward. “The club was support for Italian families that had come to the country and who didn't have jobs or even speak English,” said Venci. “The club was formed to support those people.”