4 The Queens Courier • kiwanis • june 18, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Kiwanis serving the children both here and abroad kiwanis anniversary by ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@queenscourier.com @robbpoz They’re professionals and novices, executives and staff members, retirees and working people — spanning every class, creed, race, ethnicity and every other demographic imaginable. No matter who they are, the men and women who are part of Kiwanis International clubs in the U.S. and overseas have one mission, which happens to also be their motto: “Serving the children of the world.” More than 600,000 people worldwide are part of Kiwanis International and they raise more than $100 million annually toward a variety of causes such as Project Eliminate, which brings life-saving tetanus shots to children in thirdworld countries. Kiwanians around the globe annually devote more than 18.5 million volunteer hours to their club and related activities — that’s the equivalent of 770,833 days, or a little more than 2,111 years. Local Kiwanis clubs also serve children in the communities they serve by sponsoring “Builders” and “Key” clubs in area schools. Kiwanians serve as active mentors to teenagers and adolescents in helping them help people in need and teaching them charitable lessons that go far beyond the classroom. They also sponsor Aktion Clubs, which provide assistance to adults with developmental disabilities; and Circle K, a collegiate service group based at more than 500 campuses around the world. But while Kiwanis clubs perform serious work, members also help raise funds through a variety of fun activities from luncheon meetings to community days at local parks. One can find such an example of fellowship and fun at the Kiwanis Club of Glendale, which generally meets every Thursday afternoon at Zum Stammtisch Restaurant. The meetings usually have a theme celebrating culture (such as Italian Day or German Day), local community leaders (such as Principals Day or Clergy Day) and holidays. In addition to enjoying a fine meal, members also contribute during an open forum by paying “happy dollars” to announce good news such as a new job, a wedding or a birth, a new member to the club or even a sports team’s victory. The Glendale Kiwanis and others in Queens and Brooklyn also offer up a variety of community events including concerts, street fairs and raffles inviting members of the public to contribute. Members often donate their own time and money to help organize and purchase needed items at each event. Funds raised by each local Kiwanis club helps not only the organization’s projects but also local projects benefitting their neighborhoods, from improving gardens to renovating schools. Along with helping others, the Kiwanis clubs also provide a great opportunity for professionals to network with their peers and leaders from around their communities and regions. Those interested in joining Kiwanis International can attend an upcoming meeting of their local chapter or visit www.kiwanis.org for further details.
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