Sep. 29, 2023 By Anthony Medina
The Kiwanis Club of Glendale ventured a little ways beyond its usual stomping grounds for a momentous occasion on Sunday, Sept. 17.
The Glendale Kiwanis Club traveled to the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury to celebrate President Bruce Kramer and its 70-year anniversary of serving hundreds of children in the community.
As part of the celebration, club members were honored with legion awards, foundation awards and individually distinguished proclamations through the ceremony. Among those honored was current club President Bruce Kramer, whose service as the head of Glendale Kiwanis has led to a series of successful events.
The club was chartered on Sept. 10, 1953, and incorporated on March 10, 1954. In Glendale Kiwanis’ 70 years of service, there is a history of tradition, fellowship and friendship with the diverse range of community services completed throughout its existence.
Over the course of its many years of service, the Glendale Kiwanis Club highlighted some of its great achievements, including being able to award over $500,000 in scholarships to local school children in the neighborhoods it serves.
For over 50 years, the Glendale Kiwanis have hosted a community day event, as seen at the Shops at Atlas Park, and they continue to work with the community throughout Glendale.
The Club’s organized 104th Precinct vs. FDNY basketball game that took place in May raised over $4,000 for neighboring first responders, and the club successfully delivered over 300 gifts to expecting mothers in need at The Wyckoff Heights Baby Shower event, the club shared.
Glendale Kiwanis also organizes one of the oldest running Halloween parades in the city, expected to come this year. Closer to the holiday season and beyond, Glendale Kiwanis distributes hundreds of meals to the neighborhood and hosts a Christmas tree lighting, reaching seven years going strong.
In it’s more locally driven events, like a Karaoke Night at The Avenue Bar and the 5K Run/Walk in Forest Park, raised a combined total of $2,050. Proceeds from the karaoke night raised $1,300 raised to buy instruments for local schools and $750 money raised in the 5K was given to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
At the anniversary celebration event, several distinguished individuals were present, including Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., Kiwanis’ New York State Governor Joel Harris and Governor-Elect Lucien Giancursio. A roster of distinguished past governors also were in attendance, including John Gridley, Joe Corace, Forbes Irvine and Joe Aiello.
NYS Executive Director Rich Hall was also among the notable attendees with The Queens West Division Lt. Governor Victor Rodriguez and Lt. Governor Elect Janice Bar, creating a gathering of esteemed individuals from various fields and positions.
The Risky Business Band motivated members to get on the dance floor with their music throughout the event. The photography was done by BBA Photography Corporation.