East Rockaway Kiwanis celebrates 65 years

With ticket support from 80 individuals (including donations) and advertising support from 50 advertisers, East Rockaway Kiwanis had a successful 65th Anniversary Dinner Dance last Sunday at the Oceanside Knights of Columbus.

Current nd Past Distinguished Lt. Governor Ethel Gilloon had welcomed the attendees and discussed the club’s plans for the future, including the three goals for the afternoon’s event: to help launch two new elementary level “K-Kids” Clubs in the East Rockaway Union Free School District, one at Centre Avenue Elementary and one at Rhame Avenue Elementary; to help fund local kids attending Kamp Kiwanis next summer; and to work with the Village of East Rockaway, the school district and other organizations and officials to help fight the deadly scourge of drug use and substance abuse in our community — especially as it affects our youth.

Village Trustee Gordon Fox, a longtime East Rockaway Kiwanian, presented the club with a proclamation from Assemblyman Brian Curran, who was unable to attend, honoring it for 65 years of service to the community. Assemblyman Todd D. Kaminsky also presented an anniversary proclamation, noting the founding date of the Club as Nov. 8, 1950, and also noting that the cub had twice received the Distinguished Club Award.

Rev. Mark Lukens of Bethany Congregational Church gave both the Invocation and the Benediction as the afternoon proceeded, while senior Kiwanians George Perry and John Van Houten provided an historical and occasionally hysterical context for the last 65 years.

Finally, after brief remarks from Superintendent of Schools Lisa Ruiz, thanking the cub for its efforts on behalf of the youth of the community, it was time for Past President Charles Hirschberg, assisted by Athletic Director Dom Vulpis and teacher/coach Joe Lores (plus two Key Club students) to handle the awarding of 30 raffle prizes and the 50/50 drawing — a task that they handled smoothly and efficiently.

As attendees began filing out of the Oceanside K of C, some of them burdened with raffle baskets, Meagher noted that, “pending collection of remaining accounts receivable for ads, we should be able to come close to reaching our goals.”