Queens West Kiwanis have officially chartered Kiwanis Club of Sharing Hearts/Queens West to the division.
The club, whose members have been diagnosed with intellectual/developmental disabilities, will be the first of its kind in the history of Kiwanis International.
“The club is excited to be joining such a community minded organization and is ready to give back in a big way,” Carol Verdi, lieutenant governor of the Kiwanis, said. “They will surely follow the Kiwanis motto of helping one child, one community at a time.”
Kevin Facey, president of the new club, and Carol Verdi, lieutenant governor
The ceremony was held at the Hyatt Regency at Resorts World Casino who provided the venue and food for the luncheon for free, and Kiwanis members from throughout Queens came to show their support.
All of the new members received their pins, and President Kevin Facey, Treasurer Larry Ottley, and Secretary Michael Cyrus were recognized.
The other members of Kiwanis Club of Sharing Hearts/Queens West include: Sofia Ghale, Marilyn Barros, Michael Jones, Brianne Sheridan, Manuel Hazoury, Mariam Abdallah, Mathew Koshi, James Cutright, Joanna Norris-Boyd, Dowlat Sukhram, Paula Samaroo, Aletha Capers, Nicholas Palmeri, Feliz Cruz, Camille Tyson, David Rumeo, James August, Marc Posey, Raymond Deleon and Adviel Osario.
“I am very excited to be part of this club,” Michael Cyrus said. “I can’t wait to work on the different activities coming up and help the community.”
At the event, the new club brought their first initiative to life by selling handmade blue and yellow bracelets in honor of Ukraine. All proceeds from the sales will go to relief for Ukrainian refugees.
Donations raised from last week’s event totaled over $700.
“Kiwanis membership equals service to our communities, and especially the children. Membership is our fuel to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves,” New York Kiwanis Governor James Mancuso said in a statement.
“Thank you to all the chartered members of Sharing Hearts,” he continued. “You have done something great by joining Kiwanis; there is no more of a noble cause than putting others before yourself.”
Joanna Norris- Boyd, Camille Tyson and Paula Samaroo performed a song and dance number at the event.
