Kiwanis Club of N-W supporting children

by Danny Maerten

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. The month of June was an exciting time for the Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis Club helping the youth of our area.

Fourteen members volunteered on the New York Kiwanis governor's project, juvenile diabetes, at Fantasy Island.  Members withstood a very inclement morning on Sunday, June 6, registering more than 3,000 hearty participants in the annual JDRF Walk-a-thon.

A $500 U.S. savings bond was presented to 3-year-old Sophia Brown, daughter of fallen soldier, Spc. Alan Dikcis, at the June 12 benefit.

Taraneh Jacobs is the 2010 Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis $1,000 scholarship recipient. This was the first scholarship the club has given in its 2½-year existence and will become an annual event.  Many excellent applications were received by area high school seniors, making many worthy candidates.

The Kiwanis Club will be sponsoring one area 8-year-old child to a week at Kamp Kiwanis in Central New York.

Kevin Lamb of Perkins on Military Road was presented a plaque in gratitude for his continuous support of the Kiwanis' annual pancake breakfast.

The end of June had four Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis members participating in workshops, amendments to by-laws, officer and board member voting and fellowship, at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas. Kiwanians from around the globe enjoyed an opening speech from Gen. Colin Powell and some attended a special show by Jay Leno.

Recent guest speakers at the weekly meetings have included Opportunities Unlimited, the Niagara Community Action Program and West Street Elementary School.

For information on attending a meeting or any interest in the Niagara-Wheatfield Kiwanis, contact this writer at 731-3696 or e-mail [email protected].