Two community giants honored at 72nd annual Kiwanis charter night

Continuing a 72-year tradition, the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside held its annual charter night and installation dinner on Oct. 4, which in addition to serving as a fundraiser, also honors two community members who have gone above and beyond in their service to Oceanside.

This year, Oceanside Fire Chief Kevin Klein was the recipient of the club’s Heart of Gold Award for his nearly 25 years of volunteer work protecting and serving the community, and Michael Ambrosio of the Oceanside Library received the Special Service Award, given to local professionals who through their job find innovative ways to enrich those around them.

A lifelong Oceansider, Klein comes from a family of firefighters and joined the department in 1993. His passion for the protecting the community led him to be sworn in as third assistant chief in 2010 before following in the footsteps of his father and rising to department chief in 2013.

In 2014 Klein made history when he was again elected to third assistant chief ­ a first in the department’s 115-year history – and again now occupies the position of department chief. Klein is a frequent presence at local fundraisers and community events, and as a volunteer firefighter has spent hundreds of hours of his own time helping to protect the residents of Oceanside.

“The amount of dedication he puts forward in the Oceanside community and the Oceanside Fire Department goes above and beyond,” Oceanside Fire Commissioner Michael Graham said of his longtime colleague. “And the fact that he continues to provide that service is incredible.”

Michael Ambrosio has worked at the Oceanside Library since he was 14 and for 23 years has engaged with residents in his mission to make the library a hub for community interaction. Ambrosio has participated in many of the library’s events including the Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration, Trick or Trunk, Relay for Life and its holiday food drive.

“Michael is the heart of the Library,” library Assistant Director for Community Services Tony Iovino said. “He’s worked here for 23 years, greeting everyone with a smile, and always going the extra mile for every patron. His attention to patrons with special needs is especially admirable — they trust him… Michael makes the library a special place for everyone.”