Just a few minutes before noon, a grandmother and two young children wandered towards the pavilion at East Field… The sun was high overhead, and the deep shade of the pavilion was a welcome respite. “Which direction will the truck come from Grandma?” asked both of the children excitedly. She looked up from her phone and glanced around… “I don’t know… It’s a van, so it could really come from any direction,” she replied as the kids looked around excitedly in all directions. “It’s here! It’s here!” The young children yelled as, at last, a white van approached the pavilion! Another grandmother with young children wandered under the pavilion, older siblings walked up with their younger siblings, and a young teen with a wiffleball bat joined the small crowd gathering by the van for a free meal.
Monday through Friday, from July 3rd through August 18th, from 12:00 to 12:30 PM, Operation Food Chain – in conjunction with Warren County Summer Youth Employment Program – will hand out free lunches to any youth 18 and under at the East Field Pavilion.
Workers with Operation Food Chain hand out free lunches
Chef Matt Young is a Culinary Arts instructor at BOCES in Hudson Falls, and has been involved in the program for 10 years. He gained the attention of the small crowd that had gathered: “The only thing that’s different from last year is that you have to eat it here this year, you can’t take it with you,” Chef Young said to the small crowd.
This program provides a sandwich, a salad, and a fruit Monday through Friday, and on Wednesdays, they provide a hot lunch. This year, the meals are prepared at Sanford Street School… In years past, the meals have been assembled at the BOCES Facility in Hudson Falls, which is currently under construction.
Chef Matt is an Alumni of the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Program at BOCES, where he now works: “Warren County pays for the kids, BOCES provides a location and Community Action provides the food,” he said, as he instructed the teen workers on how to set up for the event. “The program started about twenty or thirty years ago, and its main focus was for the Rec Center. There had been a Rec Center and about 40 to 50 kids would come over here to grab lunch… Then, because of COVID, the Rec Center couldn’t find staff, and the following year it didn’t open. So we had to find another site… So we went to the Village Green Apartments, and we ended up actually serving there and here last year… We did roughly forty-five lunches a day between the two locations. That was when the COVID regulations were in place and you could ‘grab and go’ – now, we are back to the normal USDA, New York State requirements, so the kids have to eat the lunch here and then we throw away the garbage,” Chef Young said, while the kids sat around the picnic tables and enjoyed their lunch.
“We are still hoping to serve about forty or forty-five kids… We just need the kids to come here. We do it every year, put it out on FaceBook every year, flyers, and we need people to come here. One of the issues is transportation, it can be hard to get here… Word of mouth could get more kids to come.” Chef Young said.
Dave Byrne – a graduate of West Point Military Academy, who served in both Kuwait and Iraq – has spent the last five years establishing his solar energy business, Renua Energy… And he feels he has a responsibility to advocate for fellow veterans; specifically, the designation of being a disabled veteran, and the effect that could have on veterans living their fullest lives.
Today, Dave Byrne is the president and founder of Renua Energy, a state and federally certified service-disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) located in South Glens Falls. Renua Energy provides consulting and development services for community solar projects, and provides electric charging solutions for local businesses… Dave has been in the field of solar energy for fifteen years. He began his career in solar energy as a residential solar installer, and worked in various roles in the industry prior to starting his own company five years ago.
As a first-generation American, Dave was influenced by his parents’ experiences as immigrants… Due to his family’s struggles, he knew that it would take hard work to accomplish his goals. Dave’s life experiences from a humble childhood to his experiences overseas have shaped how he sees his country, fellow veterans, and his business practices… And Dave’s heart is heavy with the notion that too much of the national conversation surrounding veteran’s issues is focused on the disabilities of veterans. He is interested in showcasing an alternative narrative highlighting the training, experiences, and values that he and his fellow veterans have gained through their service.
Dave is deeply appreciative of the sacrifices that veterans make, and keenly aware of the effects that can be carried with them for the remainder of their lives… However, he believes that it is also important to highlight the importance of the resilience of the military community, and the life lessons and strong values that time in the military has imparted upon him and so many other veterans.
Dave is aware that the veterans needs the support of the medical community, and encourages fellow combat veterans to do the hard work to heal: “I think that as a veteran community, we have to be careful on an individual level of being labeled as ‘disadvantaged’ because of our service. A lot of us saw a lot of terrible things that most people will never see in their lives… I share this because my greatest hope is that fellow veterans will realize that if they are struggling spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically, that they shouldn’t just look at their time in combat, but be willing to look at other potential sources of pain from their lives to empower themselves to get better,” he said.
Dave believes that there are dangers in and accepting a “disabled” or “disadvantaged” label without doing the difficult work of investigating if there are other factors at work… With the help of the medical community and an open and honest understanding of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it may be valuable to explore additional underlying causes of the stress. Identifying all aspects of PTSD may give veterans an opportunity to live a broader and more fulfilling life.
Due to his tours in Iraq and Kuwait, Dave became aware of the need to diversify the energy needs of the United States… He developed a passion for renewable energy, and is dedicated to serving his customers and his communities. Dave has taken the core values that he learned in the military, and applied them to building his business. Many of the skills that he gained have become pillars in the work that he does every day – good core values, work ethic, and perseverance are the intangibles that have helped Dave to build both his life, and his business.
To pursue his goal of attending West Point, Dave needed a Congressional nomination… He choose to seek the nomination of Congressman Gerald Solomon. Solomon had a solid reputation for vetting and recommending the top candidates through his nomination committee’s diligent interview process: “The candidates were listed from 1 to 10, and the number-one candidate would receive an automatic acceptance into the Academy… And the committee already had the number one spot filled,” Dave said. However, that didn’t stop him! He made an effort to visit each of the committee members in person prior to his interview before the committee: “I believe I visited 18 of the committee members prior to the interview. That extra effort secured me the top slot from the other candidate,” he said.
Shortly after graduation from West Point, the events of 9/11 dictated Dave’s service – he was deployed to Kuwait, and then to Iraq. During his time there, his unit oversaw three free elections… They also were responsible for intercepting the makings of bombs that were intended to stop the elections.
Although he was a graduate of West Point and a former Army Captain, his experience in the solar industry was non-existent, so he began as an installer – carrying solar panels up ladders and installing them on rooftops. This experience gave him an appreciation for the work in the trades… Although he was in good physical shape from the military, installing solar panels in the summer was exceptionally difficult, and demanding both physically and mentally. This work set him on the path of creating his own company.
As Dave looks back to his personal experiences and his military service, he would like to highlight the benefits that he has gained from his service, and cautiously and thoughtfully infuse a concept that labeling veterans as disabled may pigeon-hole both how they see themselves and how their community and society view them.
“Being away from my wife and son for over two and a half years in combat or field training was not easy, but I have also come to realize that I was privileged to have had the opportunity to serve my country in a meaningful way and to become a member of the largest cohesive network in the world – the US military veteran community,” Byrne said.
As of October 16th, 2024, Glens Falls – along with every municipal water utility across the country – has to comply with a federal EPA mandate to compile a 100% inventory of the water and sewer lines. This waterline inventory will be used to identify and replace both public and private lead pipes. Homeowners and property owners can perform the check themselves; however, those who do not perform the check will be contacted by their water system operators, to notify them of the requirements of the federal program and arrange for an inspection if needed.
Bill Norton is the superintendent of the Water and Sewer Division for the City of Glens Falls, which is located at 2 Shermantown Road. Norton oversees the drinking water, sanitary sewer system, and storm system for the City of Glens Falls. The water and sewer systems operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. The Water and Sewer Division complies with regulations from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
The City of Glens Falls has the capacity for 8.5 million gallons of water a day, but only uses about 2 million gallons of water a day for the roughly 5,000 customers. There are four reservoirs that supply the drinking water for the City of Glens Falls.
“The water goes through the distribution system, which is all of the valves and pipes and different sized mains… The smallest is about four inches, and the largest is about 20 inches. The water goes through the distribution system and into each home. It’s not as easy as just turning on your faucet… There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into bringing you your water,” Norton said.
Nationwide, 10-million American households connect to water through lead pipes and service lines… Exposure to lead can lower IQ, cause impairment of neurological development, and damage the cardiovascular system, reproductive system, brain, liver, and kidneys.
Every municipal water provider must comply with this federal mandate and provide a comprehensive inventory by October 16th, 2024. The City of Glens Falls does have records regarding the pipes, but needs public assistance in identifying the pipes that go from the curb to the house: “We are asking people to participate in identifying their pipes so that we can comply with the EPA regulations. The EPA requires 100% of the information, and we have a long way to go… Right now, we are doing the inventory and if we find any lead we notify the EPA. We have about 85% of the information on the city side, and about 40-45% on the homeowners side,” Norton said.
Residents of Glens Falls will receive information in the mail regarding the water service line inventory and steps to take to submit the information to the city. For more information about the service line inventory, please visit warrencountyny.gov
On Sunday, July 2nd, 2023, from 6:30PM to 8:00 PM, a baroque chamber music concert will be held in The Helen Froehlich Auditorium at The Hyde Museum. This is a collaboration with The Hyde Collection, Glens Falls Symphony, and the De Blasiis Chamber Music Series led by Music Director Charles Peltz. This concert features a gallery of brilliant musical miniatures, written by the giants of the European Baroque: Johann Sebastian Bach, Antonio Vivaldi, Jean-Baptiste Lully, and George Frideric Handel.
The Hyde Collection is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary by featuring Songs of the Horizon: David Smith Music and Dance. This exhibit opened on June 24th and will be on exhibit through September 17th, 2023. This exhibit – curated by Dr. Jennifer Field, Executive Director of the Estate of David Smith – is the first museum exhibit to focus on the indelible influence of music and dance on Smith’s work in painting, drawing, and sculpture. David Smith was Hyde’s first guest curator, a trustee on the board, and Charlotte Pruyn’s friend… He died in a car accident in 1965, leaving behind nearly 100 large sculptures in the grass outside of his studio in Bolton Landing.
This Baroque performance honors the great friendship between David Smith and Hugh Allen Wilson – a driving force behind the creation of the Glens Falls Symphony. Baroque – which is derived from the Portuguese “barroco” or “oddly shaped peal” – is a term that has been widely used to describe European art music, and has come to encompass one of the richest and most diverse periods in music history.
Tickets are $35 for general admission, $25 for museum members, and $10 for students or children. For more information, please visit hydecollection.org
The Glens Falls Area Youth Center (GFAYC) has been a haven for underprivileged area kids for 55 years… To celebrate this milestone, the GFAYC hosted a 80’s Party fundraiser on Friday June 23rd, 2023 at the Holiday Inn Lake George! This was their first in-person fundraiser since 2019. This fundraiser also honored the GFAYC’s former Executive Director, Matt Congdon – he is the inspiration behind the work that his daughter Molly Congdon-Hunsdon carries on today. Matt believed in one simple truth: “One person can truly make a difference in this world.”
Matt’s work at the Youth Center spanned three decades and influenced the lives of countless underprivileged kids. Matt’s difficult childhood influenced the work that he would pursue throughout his life, as he set two goals for himself – to make an impact on the lives of children, and to always have a full fridge.
The Youth Center began in facilities that were not ideal for their mission… The facilities were cold and damp in the winter and sweltering in the summer. In 1982, Matt Congdon joined the Youth Center and changed the course of its future. Matt raised one-million dollars in 8 months to make the current location at 60 Montcalm Street a reality. Thanks to contributions like these, the GFAYC has helped over 100,000 underprivileged kids, served 750,000 meals, and tutored over 31,000 students.
The Back to the 80’s Fundraiser had support from top-tier sponsors, including Berkshire Bank and Romeo Toyota. Moving forward, the GFAYC will carry on the mission to serve the underprivileged youth in the community with educational, recreational and life skills programs.
Although Saturday morning was filled with gray clouds and drizzling rain, that did not dampen the graduation festivities for the Class of 2023 at Glens Falls High School! The Class of 2023 celebrated their successes and challenges, having traversed their high school career while navigating the COVID Pandemic.
Clara Avery, in her Valedictorian address, highlighted the challenges faced by the class of 2023 when school was shuttered for COVID pandemic… She began her speech with the simple advice given to freshmen when they started high school: “Always walk on the right side of the hallway. It seemed simple to follow the established traffic patterns, a linear path to sophomore year,” Clara said. However, the events of the COVID pandemic erased all of the established norms and rules… Her speech highlighted how her class, along with so many others, faced their fears during the pandemic, and adapted to unpredictability and unprecedented change.
Clara highlighted the adaptability of the students, faculty, and staff throughout the pandemic. She thanked the custodial staff – and especially Ms. Mary – for their efforts in keeping the students, staff, and community safe. Ms. Mary, as she is fondly known, can often be found supervising the lunch rooms or along the sideline at sporting events, keeping an eye on all of the students at Glens Falls High School.
This year, Glens Falls High School added more student speakers to the Commencement Ceremony… For the first time, the administration held a commencement speaker contest! Aiden Gormley – one of the two winners of this contest – will be attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland in the fall. Aiden’s speech began with childhood lessons, and how his own mistakes had taught him these lessons… The first lesson was never stop being a kid, which was advice from his father; followed by never losing your curiosity or excitement for life.
Aiden highlighted getting the mundane right – the importance of time with friends, family dinners, and the beautiful chaos of life as one long journey. He ended his speech with importance of leaving the world a better place.
Aiden Gormley (Center) with members of the Class of 2023
Aiden’s commencement speech added depth and humor to the ceremony… The commencement speaker contest added an opportunity to hear unique voices from the class of 2023. As the tassels were turned and the graduation ceremony came to a close, cheers rang out in the auditorium, and the members of the class of 2023 took their first steps towards their future.
North Country Janitorial Inc. is located at 188 Dix Avenue in Glens Falls. It was founded in 1974, by Ron and Rosemary Montesi… It’s now a second-generation family-owned business, currently run by Ron and Rosemary’s son, Matt Montesi, as the President and Owner; while Chris Barden is the Chief Operating Officer, and has been part of the North Country family for almost 12 years. North Country Janitorial Inc. has about 230 employees, and over the last few years has found new and innovative ways to fulfill their employment needs, build community, and provide opportunities and services to their employees.
North Country Janitorial has continued to grow over its almost 50 years in business: “When I started, we didn’t have clients above Warrensburg, and now we go to the Canadian border… However, the majority of our customers are 15 to 20 miles from our offices here in Glens Falls,” Chris said.
North Country Janitorial has recently expanded into cleaning healthcare facilities and medical manufacturing plants: “Here in Glens Falls, we’re in the center of it… There are medical manufacturing facilities all around us, and it has taken hard work and opportunities to build those relationships,” Chris said.
Chris is aware of the importance of a reliable workforce to fulfill the needs of their clients: “We are a business that lives and dies by the availability of labor. Finding labor, retaining labor and training labor is key,” he said.
It was with this aspect of their business in mind that they kept working to expand their labor pool… About three years ago, the labor expansion that they had been looking for became a reality! The addition of a bilingual territory manager to the North Country family was the catalyst for this change – the ability to communicate with a new group of potential employees has helped bridge the gap between North Country Janitorial, and the hispanic labor market.
“The work is not easy. Finding people was a challenge, and about three years ago, we hired our first bilingual manager. That opened up the opportunity to recruit and talk to folks that we had previously not had access to. These folks are Spanish-speaking… They have gotten here legally to work, and to live and to support their families. So that opened up the ability to start recruiting from a larger demographic than we had been able to before… For us, that is huge, and has grown and has been part of our success. We have been able to work and take on more work and staff properly,” Chris said.
To support this new workforce, North Country Janitorial had to create infrastructure – the pool of labor that they would be drawing from mostly lived in Albany, and therefore, transportation was an issue: “Living in Albany and working in Glens Falls created some logistical challenges for a lot of these folks. Transportation was an issue. A lot of these folks didn’t have cars… Getting them from point A to point B was something that we had to figure out. Getting them to come up from Albany made us get creative and create systems for housing and transportation. We spent a lot of money on Uber for many months transporting our workforce. We needed to get our employees where they needed to go to support our customers. We went out and bought a minivan a little over a year ago, and we use that to shuttle people to some of the larger accounts. That’s worked well,” Chris said.
To help support their employees, North Country Janitorial has used innovative thinking to create real world solutions for their work force – they have reached out into the community and helped their employees find housing and services in the area. They have provided simple solutions like translating the bus schedule into Spanish… They have also relied on technology to translate information when needed: “The phones are great. They translate information so that everyone can communicate,” Chris said.
However, as they hire and support this new labor market, human interactions are important as well. The HR team at North Country Janitorial are enrolled in Spanish language classes, so that they can more effectively communicate with employees: “The HR team is the underpinning of the program. We really only wish we had done it sooner! Our customers are happy to have competent people, and that has helped strengthen some relationships,” Chris said.
Looking for something to do this weekend? On Saturday, June 24th, and Sunday, June 25th, the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival will return to Lake George! This event is located at the Festival Commons in the Charles R. Wood park, located at 17 West Brook Road in Lake George. The Charles R. Wood Park is 12.5 acres, and features a 2.5-acre festival space. This festival space was designed to host a variety of events, as an economic engine for the park and the region. The Adirondack Wine & Food Festival is one such event!
With admission, event-goers receive a commemorative wine glass for the event! They can use the commemorative wine glass to sample beverages before they buy them, and then take it home as a souvenir. This event will host 120 craft beverage and artisan food vendors, including, wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisanal food vendors, local crafts, and food trucks from the Adirondack region. Adirondack Winery and Warren County Tourism have teamed up to present this event with help from many generous sponsors!
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks is the official Festival Beneficiary. Volunteers from their organization will be on hand to provide water to help visitors stay hydrated.
Lake George, known as a family-friendly destination, encourages families to bring kids to this event. Kids 15 and under are free! There are also designated driver tickets, and underage tickets available as well. Saturday and Sunday general full-day admission is $49.99, plus a $2.28 undisclosed fee. VIP Tickets are also available!
Luxury! Power! Prestige! These are some of the words that come to mind when looking at a Pierce-Arrow. Although the opportunities are generally few and far between, this week Glens Falls has been the host city of The Pierce-Arrow Society 65th Annual meet. The Queensbury Hotel has provided an elegant backdrop for the Pierce-Arrow Society automobiles… Just a glimpse of one can remind us of a time gone by, and a lifestyle afforded by few and sought after by many. The Pierce-Arrow embodies the grandeur of the golden age of automobiles.
The Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company was an American vehicle manufacturer from 1901 to 1938, based in Buffalo, New York. The Pierce-Arrow Society is dedicated to the preservation of Pierce-Arrow Motor Cars and Trucks, as well as the history associated with the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company.
From 1901 to 1938, Pierce-Arrow produced approximately 80,000 automobiles, of which 3,000 still exist. Their 1933 Silver Arrow is still one of the most recognizable and influential automobile designs of all time… Only five were made, and only three have survived.
If you would like to see the cars up close, on Saturday, June 24th, there will be a Pierce-Arrow Society car show at Glens Falls City Park from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. So, until then, if you’re around Glens Falls, pass by the Queensbury Hotel and catch a glimpse of one of these breathtaking, eye-catching automobiles.
The Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls is in its 98th year of service, having operated since its founding in 1915… In 1989, The Glens Falls Kiwanis Foundation was newly incorporated to provide funding for the club’s Youth Civil Leadership Program. Each year, the Foundation awards two four-year scholarships, in honor of two of their members… This year, those honorees were John Doty and Andy Lemery, and this year, the foundation also had sufficient funds to award a runner-up, one-year scholarship in the memory of Tony Palangi… On June 7th, at the Queensbury Hotel, The Glens Falls Kiwanis Foundation awarded a total of $21,000 in scholarships!
This year, a four-year scholarship was presented to Nora MacInnis in honor of John Doty… John proudly served our country for 13 years in the US Navy. He joined Kiwanis in 1976, and has been warmly greeting members and guests as they arrive at their luncheon meetings ever since. He is affectionately known as “Mr. Raffle” and “Mr. Perfect Attendance” as a dedicated member of what was once known as the house committee.
Foundation President Craig Seybolt, Honoree John Doty, Scholarship Recipient Nora MacInnis, and Foundation Immediate Past President Larry Weaver
John is also very passionate about model railroading – in addition to being a proud member of the Upstate Model Railroaders Club, for many years, John also chaired The Model Train Show fundraiser. John can often be found at community events, setting up train displays at the YMCA, Armory, and the Queensbury Hotel that have entertained and brought joy to children and families for years within our community!
John and his wife Mary Ann have been married for 61 years! Together, John and Mary Ann owned and operated U Rent All for 27 years – which was located on Glen Street in Queensbury – where they provided equipment for all the Kiwanis events, like LARAC, Americade, Taste of the North Country, and going back to the Adirondack Balloon Festival. They also have two sons and four grandchildren, who will carry on a legacy of faithful service to our country, club and community.
Nora MacInnis was the recipient of the Honorary John Doty Scholarship. She is a senior at Bolton Central School, and is involved in a variety of extracurriculars, including volleyball, drama club, band, and student council. She has been an active member in her school’s Key Club chapter since eighth grade, and served as the president since her junior year; in this position, she facilitates club events, runs weekly meetings, and assists with the school’s backpack program. For the past 3 years, she was appointed by each Youth Governor to assist in advising legislation that impacts our state, and has received awards for most outstanding debate… It has also been her honor to be selected to represent New York State on a national platform as a delegate at the Conference on National Affairs, both last summer and this upcoming summer! She’s also served as a representative of her class since freshman year, and acted as the Student Council President this school year. Beginning in the fall, she will further her education at SUNY Cortland, to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications to become a Public Relations specialist; particularly for non-profit organizations.
The Honorary Andy Lemery four year scholarship was presented to Aliza DeMattos. Andy graduated from Bentley University in 1955 with a degree in Finance, and was immediately hired as the fourth employee at a newly formed company known as Kamyr. Andy worked at Kamyr and its seven subsidiaries for 38 years in numerous capacities within the finance division, including controller, treasurer and corporate secretary. He joined Kiwanis in 1978 and had many years of perfect attendance. He worked tirelessly for over 20 years, supervising the cash drawer at LARAC and training many Key Clubbers how to count money and serve as a cashier.
Andy and his wife June have been married for 65 years. They have 2 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. Andy and June spent many winters in Florida, but after 29 years, sold their house in Florida and spent this past winter back in Glens Falls. Andy loves to garden and swim, and is an avid bike rider. He is also very patriotic, marching (and now riding in a convertible) with Kiwanis in the Memorial Day Parade; and he hopes you will join him!
Foundation President Craig Seybolt, Scholarship Recipient Aliza DeMattos, Honoree Andy Lemery, Foundation Immediate Past President Larry Weaver
Aliza DeMattos is a graduating Senior from Queensbury High School, who has been a member of the Queensbury Varsity Field Hockey and Lacrosse teams… Aliza has been involved in numerous clubs and organizations, including FBLA, Yearbook, Media Arts Production, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, LEAT, and others. During her tenure at QHS, she has served as the Key Club’s President, and in addition to her school involvement, Aliza has long volunteered for the Double H Ranch, for children ages six to 16 who are dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Aliza will attend Bentley University – Andy’s alma mater – in the Fall, majoring in Finance and Economics, as well as playing lacrosse for the Falcons! Her ultimate goal is to be heavily entrenched in the business world.
There was also a one-year scholarship given out in memory of Tony Palangi, AKA “Mr. Kiwanis”… His faithful service to the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls, NY, and his commitment to Kiwanis youth will never be forgotten. Tony founded the first Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls-sponsored Key Club at Glens Falls High School in 1976, and went on to serve as the Kiwanis Club’s Youth Service Leadership Chair from 1976 to 2007. During his tenure, the Key Club program grew to 10 clubs in our area high schools, a Builders Club at Glens Falls Middle School, and a Circle K Club at SUNY Adirondack.
Tony Palangi Memorial Scholarship Recipient Jane Trowbridge, and Foundation President Craig Seybolt
Jane Trowbridge was awarded the scholarship in memory of Tony Palangi. She has been an active member of the Bolton Key Club throughout her high school career, and has also enjoyed helping out at her school’s fall carnival, book fairs, and the “Pancakes and Pajamas” event. She has especially loved volunteering as the assistant coach of both the Elementary basketball and softball teams… In the Fall, she will be attending Dutchess Community College, majoring in Aviation Science. Jane is excited to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a pilot!
One of the other ways that Kiwanis International makes a positive impact on the lives of children is through Key Club… Key Club members learn how to lead, and stand for what’s right through service and volunteerism. Through Key Club, high school students are making a difference in their schools and communities.
The mission of Key Club – as an international student-led organization – is to give members opportunities to provide service, build character, and develop leadership. The core values of Key Club are leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness… Key Club International has supported the transformation of high school students as they graduate and become the world’s next class of leaders. This aim is achieved with the cooperation of school principals and teachers, to prepare the students to become useful citizens.
