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Kiwanis Club hosts annual holiday party
The Dyker Heights/Borough Park Kiwanis Club held its annual Christmas Party at the Greenhouse Café Dec. 12.
MILL BASIN — They volunteer their time and give back to their communities in a myriad of ways, often staying clear of pomp and circumstance. They are Kiwanians — part of a global organization that in 1915 initially focused on business networking, but changed its focus to service in 1919 — specifically service to children.
Today, there are Kiwanis clubs in nearly 80 nations and geographic locations.
Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis, one of the larger clubs in the Brooklyn division, held its weekly meeting at Dolce Vita restaurant on Jan. 8, taking care of its business but always in friendly and unpretentious fashion.
Mark Pohl, the highest ranking Kiwanian in Brooklyn, who oversees all nine of the borough’s clubs, is also a member of the Kings Plaza/Canarsie Kiwanis.
“Our club is very familial,” Pohl said. “We are pretty lighthearted — and while we take care of what we have to at our weekly gatherings, we do a lot of socializing here as well.”
A significant portion of the meeting is typically dedicated to discussing planned events designed to do what Kiwanians do best: help others in need.
Pohl spoke of a Bingo fundraiser scheduled for the end of January. “That will be used to support our local charities such as food pantries, children’s sports organizations and others,” he said.
There is also a lyme disease gala in April on Long Island honoring Kiwanian John Ridley.
“Throughout the year, there will also be a series of ‘honor nights,’ whereby we honor people from the Brooklyn division for their outstanding work,” Pohl noted, adding that the president of the Canarsie Merchants Association was recently recognized for her work in the community.
At the end of 2024, Kiwanis’ Winter Wonderland will be providing toys to needy children, along with a cameo from Santa (Kiwanian Richard Schweid), in addition to food, drinks and games.
The Kiwanian meet-up also consisted of a treasury report, random member commentary and a closing ceremony.
Vice President Joe Stile has been a Kiwanian since 1964, and was also charter president of the Kings Plaza/Canarsie club when it began in 1991.
“I love what I do, and I value my time here,” Stile said, also noting that in the 60-plus years he has been a member, things have changed significantly.
“Years ago you had to be a businessman to get in,” Stile continued. “You had to wear a suit and tie; you couldn’t be a truck driver, for example, and be a member. Nowadays things are quite different.”
Newly-minted member Davidson Alexis describes himself as a very community-related person, and pointed out that there is no greater reward than doing for those that are unable to do for themselves.
“I was invited down to a meeting by a friend and fellow member, and immediately felt it was something that I wanted to do,” Alexis said. “It’s incredibly rewarding.”
The Dyker Heights/Borough Park Kiwanis Club held its annual Christmas Party at the Greenhouse Café Dec. 12.
It was standing room only Tuesday evening at the Greenhouse Café, as the Kiwanis Brooklyn Division End of Term Dinner took place.
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