BAY RIDGE — It was standing room only Tuesday evening at the Greenhouse Café, as the Kiwanis Brooklyn Division End of Term Dinner took place, commemorating the tenure of Lt. Governor Penny Santo, as well as several other Kiwanians from around the borough. 

In addition to Santo, other end of term honorees included James Orlando, past lt. governor and Ben Bay Kiwanis member; Joe Ruggiero, past governor, division membership chair, Parkway East Kiwanis and Gravesend Kiwanis Club member; Francesco Sorci, division secretary to the lt. governor, Liberty Kiwanis member and past club president of the 86th Street Kiwanis Club; Joseph Miraglia, division treasurer to the lt. governor and Dyker Heights/Borough Park Kiwanis member; and Anastasia Abably, key club governor and Midwood High School student. 

Miraglia, a fourth generation Kiwanian and founding member of the Dyker Heights/Borough Park club, told the Brooklyn Eagle that as far as division meetings go, this was one of the largest he has ever seen, with six Brooklyn clubs being represented. 

“Of the 75 or so people at the gathering, the majority of the attendees were indeed Kiwanians,” Miraglia said. 

Also in attendance was Connie Passariello, whose husband John was a charter member of the West End Kiwanis Club in the 1960s for more than 30 years.

“They do so many good things,” Passariello said, “for kids, for veterans. If you need help, you go to the Kiwanis Club.” 

In the blood

Santo, whose final day as lt. governor will be Sept. 30, will turn the position over to Lt. Governor Elect Mark Phol, who is slated to serve from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2025.  

“I’m looking forward to making the division grow and raising a lot of funds to help the communities,” Phol said, who has been a Kiwanian for 14 years. 

Santo referred to her Brooklyn division team as “exceptional” due to the hard work and dedication of its members.

“We were able to continue our mission in helping build Kiwanis Clubs and assisting our communities in so many ways,” she said.  

Santo, who has been a Kiwanian for more than 12 years and a community activist for more than 30 years, will still be a member of the Kiwanis organization after relinquishing her title and continue to be active lending a helping hand to those in need.  

“It’s in my blood,” she said. 

Sorci , division secretary to the lt. governor, pointed out that the lessons Santo taught him when they worked together were beyond invaluable. 

“I learned so much from her about how to be a better leader and mentor, not only in my Kiwanian life but also in my work and personal life as well,” he said.  

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Its motto is “serving the children of the world.” 

Today, there are Kiwanis clubs in nearly 80 nations and geographic locations.