Community Corner
#79: The Garden City Kiwanis Club
Kiwanis has helped children in our area for 60 years.
The Kiwanis Club International’s motto is “Serving the Children of the World” and that is exactly what the Garden City Kiwanis Club (GCKC) does.
Chartered in 1951, this local club has supported children over the years in many ways.
GCKC helps different age groups with special programs formulated to bring out the leadership qualities in its young people. One such project is the presentation of the Kiwanis Senior Awards. This year, Garden City High School students Daniel Beecher and Emily Winchurch received $2,000 each for their superior leadership.
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GCKC actively supports the following:
- Circle K is for college level young adults at Adelphi University and Nassau Community College.
- Key Club is for high school level students at Garden City High School and Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead.
- Builders Club is for middle school students at Garden City Middle School.
- Kiwanis Kids is for primary school children, about six to 12 years old.
Along with the four clubs, GCKC sends underprivileged children to Kamp Kiwanis, a camp that provides opportunities for fun, creative outdoor experiences and a chance to develop leadership. They make a weekly donation to the Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN) and cook for the Nassau County Empire State Games. GCKC also contributes to Island Harvest, a large hunger-relief organization on Long Island, and Mercy First, a human service agency serving more than 4,000 people on Long Island and New York City. Lastly, they “adopt” families around Thanksgiving and Christmas.
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“Our St. Patrick's Day luncheon is our biggest fundraiser of the year, held at the Garden City Hotel,” said Nicole Russo, a director on the board, and proceeds pay for all these wonderful programs.
Kiwanis Club International (KCI) has a membership of more than 600,000 and about 250,000 are in the United States. KCI sponsors about 150,000 service projects per year. Founded in 1915 in Detroit, MI, it currently focuses on maternal and children’s health; child care and development; parent education and support as well as safety and pediatric trauma. KCI headquarters are now located in Indianapolis, IN.
Come back next Tuesday at 10 a.m. for reason #78. Click here if you missed #80.
Category: Garden City non-profits
Price: Dues
Season: Meetings twice a month during the school year at the Garden City Hotel.
Note: For more information visit www.GardenCityKiwanis.com.
