Kiwanis
By Reverend Dallas B. Decker*

Kiwanis International is a truly international service club whose intent is to serve children, in the local community and worldwide. We also serve others in our communities, the elderly, the hungry the homeless, and others who are disadvantaged.

Our major worldwide thrust is to eliminate iodine deficiency disease. This a terrible disease causing major developmental disorders in children including goiter, mental retardation and physical problems. It can be cured or eliminated simply by adding iodine to the local salt supply. For a few cents a year per child, this scourge can be eliminated. The problem is that areas of iodine deficiency must be identified, people must be convinced of the need for iodine, and appropriate equipment and supplies must be provided. Once the changes are made, these machines must be maintained and kept supplied, so our work is cut out for us. It is estimated that only two more years is needed to win the battle. And here at home we will always have those who need our help.

Kiwanis in New York has Camp Kiwanis, near Utica, where hundreds of disadvantaged children can experience sleep-away camp every year. We also have the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Unit at North Shore Hospital, Manhasset, and two others, at Albany and Buffalo. Several fund raisers are held for these great projects each year.

We raise money in the community by various means, and use it as much as possible within our own community. We participate in various service projects such as Special Olympics, the Diabetes Walk and other runs and walks, pancake breakfasts, food collection, child identification projects, reading projects and others too numerous to mention. We have active service clubs for elementary school children, middle school, Key Clubs for High School and Circle K for those in College.

We meet together, usually for a meal, generally about twice a month. We plan what we will be doing, how we will fund what we do and assign volunteers to do what is needed. We also enjoy each other's company, and find that our giving back to the community feels good too.

I am currently president of my club in Seaford, NY, and my wife Cinnie is also an active member. All sorts of information about Kiwanis can be found on-line at www.kiwanis.org, or you can contact me through POY and I'll put you in touch with a club in your area. If you are interested in helping the children of the world to grow up to be happy healthy and productive citizens, Kiwanis is a fun way to help.

*Rev. Decker is a member of the Perspectives On Youth Advisory Board. To read Rev. Decker's biography, you can click here.