Kiwanis Clubs ready to keep on giving

For both the Wantagh and Seaford Kiwanis clubs, the arrival of a new school year means that the season of giving has also begun. The two groups will be busier than ever in 2016-17, leaders said, hosting fundraising events and kick-starting new initiatives while keeping the organization’s mission in mind — help all youngsters of the world, one child at a time.

Kiwanis International is a global volunteer association that was founded in 1915 and has celebrated charity and service for more than a century. Local Kiwanis chapters have existed in communities across Long island for decades — including Wantagh, where Kiwanis has been thriving for 61 years.

Wantagh Kiwanis President Michael Gorman said 38 community members serve the group regularly. They started their fall fundraising activities on Sept. 25, as members participated in the Step Out to Stop Diabetes Walk at Jones Beach State Park. About 46 students from the Wantagh High School Key Club, which works closely with Kiwanis, also came out to participate and help raise awareness for the American Diabetes Association. 

The group of 300 Key Clubbers have and will continue to walk for other causes in October, including the Autism Speaks Walk on Oct. 2 and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 16. Kiwanis Adviser Heidi Felix, the former president of the local chapter, said she is excited to be involved with the student group and help the organization grow.

“I look forward to building future leaders, helping them understand important issues in the community and giving back,” she said. “Working directly with Kiwanis is good for the kids because they can begin to understand what it is all about.”

Just like last year, Wantagh Kiwanis will also contribute to, help organize and/or attend seasonal events, including: the Freaky 5K Race fundraiser for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation; multiple food drives benefitting the food pantries at houses of worship, such as St. Frances de Chantal, in November; and the holiday lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Wantagh Chamber of Commerce. 

Gorman said he was especially proud of the group’s commitment to sending children to Kamp Kiwanis, a camp designed to help and reach out to underprivileged youth at no cost to them. In general, he noted that he’s looking forward to the fall and winter projects that members are also determined to launch. 

“I really want to expand our service to the community,” he said. “We are looking to raise donations and will continue to support local groups.”

Both the Wantagh and Seaford Kiwanis chapters kept busy over the summer as well. Leaders explained that their groups contributed to a National Kiwanis initiative, raising money for distracted driving simulators. The monies they collected paid for three of the simulators, which are used in conjunction with the “stop texting and driving” campaign at the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at Cohen’s Children Medical Center in New Hyde Park. The groups are looking to buy one more simulator.

“Being able to put programs into place and helping with the betterment of children in the community, is why we are here,” said Steven Katz, who has been president of the Seaford Kiwanis Club for two years. “I have a 9-year-old, so it’s close to the heart.”

After a five-year hiatus, Seaford Kiwanis was re-chartered in July 2014. Katz said the group of 10 current members would like to expand in the coming year, noting that the young organization continues to grow in many ways. 

One way that the Seaford Kiwanis Club makes a difference in the community, Katz said, is by participating in Seaford Santa — a campaign benefitting underprivileged children and families who can’t afford holiday gifts. After Halloween, a mailbox is set up at the Seaford Post Office, allowing children from needy families to ask Santa what they would like for the holidays. 

Members of the club and the community answer the letters with a present. Katz said he would love to see Seaford Santa become a regional program, helping children across the South Shore. 

“It lifts spirits in the community,” he explained. “Every child should get a gift around the holidays, and we do all that we can do make sure that it happens.”

Seaford Kiwanis will also continue to raise money for those in need through events at local restaurants, by reaching out to the Seaford Chamber of Commerce and Lion’s Club and recruiting volunteers from the Seaford High School Key Club.

“Kiwanis serves the children,” Katz added. “So we will work hard to continue to grow and expand.”