Port Huron Kiwanis leader takes role seriously

Letter to the editor, Port Huron, Michigan, Times Herald
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081008/OPINION02/810080313/-1/NEWSFRONT2

With so much negative stuff going on, I want to reflect on something positive. Salvation Army officers are rarely in one place long enough to take on leadership in local organizations, so serving as president of the Port Huron Kiwanis club has been a unique privilege.

Kiwanis historically has included some of the most trusted business professionals and active community leaders. I recently learned that one of our members, Frank Staiger, was a man of such integrity that he was elected mayor of Port Huron without campaigning or spending a dime! This year, Kiwanian Winona Orts was named a Woman of Distinction.
Although we’ve done much in years past, we continue to make a positive impact in the community, particularly for the youth.

In the past couple of years, we have made donations to: Child Advocacy Center, Blue Water Habitat for Humanity, Blue Water Pregnancy Care Center, YMCA, Mid City Nutrition (with monthly volunteers), the Salvation Army (in addition to bell-ringing and distributing toys). We are the lead sponsor of Operation Transformation Family Night (Boat Week), the Girl Scouts Gold Award Banquet, and we have funded every pastor’s attendance at the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast and purchased every Eagle Scout kit.

Each year, we provide four US$1,000 Spiritual Life Scholarships, two $750 Community Service Scholarships and one $500 Kiwanis Educating Youth (KEY) Club Scholarship to high school seniors. We’ve just committed to a $500 Blue Water Jazz Society scholarship.

Add to this the annual Kiwanis Free-Throw Competition, Flag Football Program at Port Huron High School, medals for Let’s Play Day at Howard D Crull Elementary School and sponsoring of the Kiwanis Educating Youth Club at Port Huron Northern High School—which serves in the community and grows leaders. We also distribute “Don’t Shake A Baby” pamphlets, church directories, and adopt a needy family each Christmas.

This year, our special project was underwriting the Challenger Division Little League, enjoyed by 30 participants and dozens of family and friends each week this summer.

We were instrumental in bringing the Blue Water Triathlon to Port Huron. It has doubled in size, and is poised to become one of the area’s premier events. Our Polar Bear Plunge helps other groups raise funds for their causes while helping Kiwanis give back to the community.

It has indeed been a rewarding year, but not without its challenges. In a struggling economy, it is hard to find new and energetic people willing to commit their time and resources. But I tell you, those who do decide to join Kiwanis will reap great rewards.
I am ready to pass the president’s gavel along to Michael MacLean. I have every confidence in his ability to take Kiwanis to the next level.

—Salvation Army Maj. Tim Meyer is president of the Port Huron Kiwanis club