Governor

While out at the Kiwanis International Education & Leadership Education Conference, a woman came up to me after the workshop I conducted and said, "You are from New York, right?"
I said and I was, with tears in her eyes, and a trembling voice, she said, "thank you, thank you for helping my cousin, thank you".
The woman was a Kiwanian from the Southwest District. She had moved to Arizona shortly after the COVID 19 pandemic hit and was from New York originally. Her cousin, between the winter storms and COVID, had become a shut in, unable to get the store for groceries or clear her walkway.
The district office had received an email asking for someone to check in on this woman's cousin. As soon as the email was received, the office forwarded it to the Rosedale/Laurelton club in the Queens East division where this woman's cousin lived. The next day, The Rosedale/Laurelton Kiwanis Club had not only shoveled her walk but brought her a weeks' worth of groceries. As I listened to the woman from the Southwest District describe the relief that she felt knowing that her cousin was now being looked in on, I found I too had tears in my eyes.
This is just one of so many stories of compassion and kindness that Kiwanians do every day. They do service when others cannot, they fill the void in peoples' lives, and they do it not for a reward, or any recognition. They do it because they know it's the right thing to do.
I am grateful for the Rosedale/Laurelton club for stepping up and doing it quickly. They made a difference in someone's life.
Service is an a never-ending journey that keeps us motivated to continue to do good works for our communities. To continue to do service we need to add members to our clubs. Invite your friends to a meeting, host a meet and greet.  Explain your "why" for joining Kiwanis. Be enthusiastic, show your love of Kiwanis, ask people to join.
We have all been craving the company of other Kiwanians, what a great opportunity to see each other with our upcoming District convention. It will be in Binghamton. Our opening session will take place on Friday Aug. 13, at the Doubletree Hotel.  We will continue to have both in-person and virtual attendance. We are celebrating our honoree, Distinguished Past Gov. Pat Cooney!
Registration is open.  Don't delay, register today before the fees go up! https://www.kiwanis-ny.org/dc2021/
Remember, BE KIND, LOOK FOR JOY IN ALL YOU DO, and BE THE LIGHT IN SOMEONE'S LIFE!!

Column Posted on Web Site July 14, 2021