By Nick Buglione
With six years experience as a member under his belt, Hackert presided over his first meeting as president on Tuesday, Oct. 1. He will serve a one-year term.
"I will be responsible for executing all the programs and fund-raisers we already have in place," said the 35-year-old owner of East Meadow Florist on Hempstead Turnpike.
Every year the community service organization takes part in a host of charitable activities, among them the delivery of food baskets to families in need, a golf outing that raises thousands for Long Island Coma Care and Kamp Kiwanis -- a project Hackert believes is their most significant.
"I think the most-important [project] we do is send underprivileged kids to camp each year," he said. "We send about 35 kids."
Kamp Kiwanis, a licensed, 57-acre handicapped-accessible campground, is located in the western foothills of the Adirondack Mountains about four hours from New York City near Utica.
The camp provides busing from the city. The outdoor experience is aimed at providing a safe, fun-filled adventure while developing friendships and leadership skills for children. In the wake of Sept. 11, this past summer Kiwanis sent kids who lost a parent or guardian in the terrorist attacks to the camp.
Aside from community service, Hackert said he plans to focus on bolstering the sizable club's ranks during his term. With about 170 members, the East Meadow Kiwanis is already the largest Kiwanis Club in New York State.
"My specific goal is to increase the membership of the club and to gain it a little more notoriety within the neighborhood," said the lifelong East Meadow resident.
Hackert, who took over the East Meadow Florist shop six years ago after working there for nearly 20, decided to join Kiwanis at the urging of friend Tom Gallagher.
"I thought it was a good way to get to know people in the community and do positive things," he said.
Aside from his years in Kiwanis, Hackert is also involved in the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board of directors.
Fellow Kiwanis members spoke highly of Hackert and his abilities as a leader. "He's a terrific person," said Warren Kalmenson, himself a former president of the East Meadow Kiwanis. "He's got a lot of energy and a lot of good ideas. He should make a very positive impact on Kiwanis and the community."
Fred Frankel, Hackert's predecessor, agreed. "I think he will do a fantastic job. His mind is set, and his heart is in the right place," he said.
Reflecting on his own tenure as president, Frankel said he thought things went very well. "We did more for the community this year in numbers than we did in the past," he said, referring to the fact that the club delivered more food baskets to needy families and sent more kids to summer camp than in previous years.
