Date: Fri 28-Jul-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

b10-Kiwanis-Club-Timmel-

Full Text:

Kiwanians Seek An Expanded Role In The Community

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

The Kiwanis Club of Newtown, the local chapter of an international club for

community leaders, is seeking to increase its membership and its local impact

over the next few months.

"Kiwanis is unique in Newtown because it conducts its meetings over lunch

rather than meeting in the evening," said William Timmel, an attorney who is

president of the local club. "For that reason, Kiwanis is particularly suited

to people who work in town, whether they are Newtown residents or not, and to

retirees who have an interest in contributing some time to worthy causes in

town, and who are available for a luncheon meeting."

"Businesses often encourage their employees to become active in the community

and this is a good way to do it."

The Newtown Kiwanis Club is part of an international organization consisting

of 8,589 clubs in 80 countries. It's emphasis is "Young Children - Priority

One." Internationally, it sponsors a program which supplies third world

countries with iodized salt to help erridicate goiter and related diseases

which are still prevalent in many of these countries.

Closer to home, the Kiwanis New England District, of which the Newtown club is

a part, has established a Pediatric Trauma Institute in Boston. This institute

does research and disseminates information about immediate care for young

children who, because of their undeveloped skeletal and nervous systems, can

be permanently disabled if they are treated as adults during the first few

minutes after an injury. The Newtown Kiwanis has donated more than $1,500 to

the Pediatric Trauma Institute and co-sponsored an Emergency Medical

Technicial (EMT) training seminar at Danbury Hospital where many Newtown EMT

received their training.

The Newtown and other area Kiwanis Clubs also cooperate with Danbury Hospital

in other youth-oriented programs which include a monthly letter from the

hospital to first-time mothers, a health fair at the Danbury Mall, and a

bicycle rodeo in which children were taught the rules for safe riding.

Locally, the Newtown Kiwanis is perhaps best known for the Labor Day Parade

program booklet which club members have produced and distributed free at the

parade for many years. Each year the club members also are involved in many

projects that focus on the special needs of the community, including fighting

substance abuse, helping the elderly, promoting education, supporting youth

sports and other projects involving children or persons in need.

The club has sponsored softball and Little League teams, participated in the

Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday basket programs, held fundraisers at the

Newtown Little Theater for the DARE program and the Faith Food Pantry, and has

provided scholarships to Newtown High School graduates. It was a sponsor and

exhibitor at the first Newtown Health Fair last year and has provided money

for flats of flowers for the Senior Center.

The local chapter also provides leadership opportunities in community service

for youth. The club is involved with the Key Club (a Kiwanis affiliate) at the

high school and regularly participates in the Middle School's "Bridge the Gap"

picnic.

For most of the members, the fact that the club meets each Thursday for lunch

has created a way for them to become involved in the community without

attending night meetings.

"I work late on Thursdays so this is a very nice way to break up the day,"

said Dr Roger Moore, a local optomitrist who is the club's vice president.

While working with others to benefit the community and the world, members of

the Kiwanis Club are rewarded in many ways: through friendships, civic

contacts, informative and entertaining gatherings, the development of personal

leadership skills and a sense of accomplishment.

"It certainly is an organization in which men and women can develop and use

leadership skills," Mr Timmel said. "They can take part in projects which they

find appealing and that fit their schedule. Often they have a chance to do try

things that don't do every day."

The weekly meetings, held each Thursday at 12:15 pm at Tom Sawyer's

restaurant, provide an opportunity for club members to expand their business

and professional networking. The meetings provide a social setting in which

members can interact with others of diverse business and professional

backgrounds. Ely Crozier, the club treasurer, for example, is a bank branch

manager; Bob Serio operates a video store.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about the Newtown Kiwanis

should call Bill Timmel at his office, 270-8300, or home, 426-3473, or call

any other Kiwanis member. Corporate employers may contact Mr Timmel to arrange

a presentation about the organization by one of the current members.

A complimentary luncheon for prospective members will be held this fall at a

time and place to be announced.