At this time of year all our thoughts go towards Kamp Kiwanis and the upcoming Kamping season. Our opening weekend this year is on May 16-18 and we are looking forward to having many people come up and join us on this work weekend. As you know, there is much to do to get the Kamp ready.
As usual the Kamp needs a lot of clean up from the usual harsh winter so we need your help for painting, scrubbing, raking and many other tasks that will get the Kamp ready for the children and adults that are planning to come and enjoy a week of outdoor activities.
We expect that this year we are going to break attendance records due to Governor Hank's emphasis on sending military children. He has made it his project and so far, it looks like Gov. Hank will be reaching and surpassing his goal. We thank Gov. Hank for his commitment to the children of active military personnel and of course to Kamp Kiwanis.
Our Kamp is really looking good because of our constant upkeep and renovation where necessary. This year we would like to give a special thank you to the Verrazzano Kiwanis Club from the Metropolitan Division which decided to provide all labor and material to rebuild one of the cabins that really needed a lot of work. Past President Steve Argentine and many other members of the Verrazzano club will be doing all the work themselves, that’s Kiwanis in action.
As with any brick and mortar property, upkeep and maintenance is essential and it takes a great deal of work and money to do that. We will have our usual cast of dedicated Kiwanians that will be doing just that, Herb Chan, Tom Poccio, Anthony Merendino, Joe Battista Keith Cummings, and many others who come up every year to do needed work to keep this Kamp shining as the crown jewel of the New York District. Remember, if you are a New York District Kiwanian in good standing, you are a part owner of this Kamp, this is your Kamp, help us maintain it.
Lastly, on behalf of the officers, directors and board member of the New York District Kiwanis Foundation, I would like to offer our sincere gratitude and thank you to a gentle Kiwanis giant, Ivan Tarnopoll. Ivan was a member of the West Seneca Club from the Niagara Frontier South Division. He was an unassuming gentleman who didn't say much but did a great deal throughout his life to help children and give back to the community. In November of 2018, Ivan passed away, leaving the Kamp a very generous gift. We will be honoring Ivan at our Kamp opening day with something that will be worthy of his legacy and we will be memorializing his name at Kamp Kiwanis in a special way. I hope you all can come and join us in celebrating his life. “Rest in Peace Ivan”
Column Posted on Web Site May 20, 2019
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