This past Sunday, I returned home from the 80th Annual New York District Kiwanis Convention at the Omni Hotel in Albany, New York. I had a wonderful time meeting people from all over the state who are part of the same organization that I belong to. People who have never met me before saw me, shook my hand and treated me like family…well, they are my family. They are my brothers and sisters united by the “K” we so proudly wear.

For those of you who do not know what Kiwanis International is, let me tell you. Kiwanis is a national service organization made up of community leaders, business owners, and local residents who strive for the betterment of their communities as a whole. Through food drives, soup kitchens, youth sponsorship and neighborhood clean ups, we help to improve the lives of those less fortunate then ourselves. The main catalyst of this is our Worldwide Service Project, the elimination of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, or IDD, which affects many innocent children in countries that do not have iodized salt. Through monies earmarked from our yearly dues, education, medicine and other needs are given to these children to help them survive.

Why did I join Kiwanis? I joined because when I see the smiles on the faces of children that we give toys to at Christmas, or when I hear the thank you from a homeless man at a soup kitchen, or when I attend a convention with thousands of others who care, I am instantly gratified.

But there is so much more that can be done. With the creation of the new Kiwanis Non-Profit Foundation, something which I am very honored and proud to be a part of, we can do so much this year and in 1998, more than we have done in the past.

I encourage you to join me in becoming a member of Kiwanis, or any of the other organizations that share in the betterment of your community and the borough at large.

By letting people know why I am so proud to wear my “K” each and every day, it just might encourage someone to join a club or another newspaper to write a story about the many accomplishments of this wonderful organization.

I have been a Kiwanian since October 1995, and I know that I am part of worldwide family that has welcomed me with open arms. So much in fact, that to celebrate my one year anniversary as a Kiwanian this past October, I sponsored my mother, Rosemary Wein and made her a Kiwanian as well. Now, my mother has joined the thousands of dedicated men and women who give their time freely in exchange for the reward of making a difference. A behavior I encourage anyone reading this who is not a Kiwanian to experience.

Join us.