Kiwanis Club of Auburn – Lewiston Maine

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Joline Bedard and Larry Marcoux of the United Way, with Kiwanis President Jan Dwinal, right.

Larry Marcoux and Joline Bedard of the United Way of Androscoggin County recently shared information about homelessness in Lewiston-Auburn with the Kiwanis Club of Lewiston Auburn.  There is a ten-year plan in place to abolishing homlessness in our area.  Both youth (young teens) and families of all sorts can fall into this category. Whether it is couch surfing or moving around with a lack of funds for security deposits, the effect is devastating. A staggering number of people are homeless, right here in our community. All of our shelters close down at night with area hotels opening some space with discounted rates at the discretion of local law enforcement. The real costs come up in extra needs in police, increases in medical calls. Poverty in Androscoggin county is at 23% for those under 18 years old, with 51% kids in our schools receiving subsidized lunches. Over 50% drop out of school and we can fix this. In the picture is Joline Bedard and Larry Marcoux of the United Way, and and Kiwanis President Jan Dwinal of Coldwell Banker Millett Realty. This aggressive plan needs all of us to help make sure it meets its goal. You can play a part by joining Kiwanis. Call Jan at 795-9614, or log on to our website at www.kiwanisauburnlewistonmaine.org.

Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club of Maine Saturday, April 2, is Kiwanis One Day worldwide. All clubs are called upon to provide a service project to help our youth. Our club will help both the Root Cellar and Boys and Girls Club this year. They both serve the after-school needs of many underprivileged youths in the area. If you would like to join in with us that day, or would like to know more about the Kiwanis, call club president, Jan Dwinal, at 795-9614. Chris Pope of the Root Cellar is on the left, Jan in the middle, and Andie Hannon of the Boys and Girls Club is on the right.

Wear your work clothes and see you there!

The Root Cellar and the Boys and Girls Club will be part of the Kiwanis One Day Worldwide.

Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club of Maine The Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club recenetly donated hundreds of safety packages to be distributed to the parents of new born babies at St. Mary’s Hospital Birthing Center. The packages contain electric outlet shock prevention plugs, bath water thermometers, information and prevention of trauma regarding Shaken Baby Syndr…ome and child safety car seats. This service project is linked to the Kiwanis program “Young Children: Priority One.” This initiative places focus on the needs of children in pediatric safety and parenting skills. Pictured are: Melissa Wing, RN at St Mary’s Maternity Dept., Laura Reny holding newborn son, Landen Reny, born Feb. 18, father Marcus Reny, and Ron Bellmore, Director of Material Management at St. Mary’s Health System and member of the Kiwanis Club of Auburn-Lewiston.

Four local youths from our area high schools were awarded college scholarships in December. All have completed the first semester of college. Parents and winners were treated to a Ramada Inn luncheon and awarded their checks. Internationally, Kiwanis’s motto is “Serving the Children of the World, one child at a time. ” These four student recipients were selected to receive scholarships based on academic acheivements, and community service. The Auburn/Lewiston Kiwanis Club supports many youth programs within Androscoggin County. Pictured above are, left to right: Gregory St. Denis of ELHS, Lori Robinson of SDRHS, Stephanie Gagne of LHS and Brianna Dostie of Leavitt. Also pictured is Presiding President John Cronin of Federal Distributors and Secretary Craig Phillips of Common Ties Mental Health Services. FMI on Kiwanis or how to get involved, contact Jan Dwinal at 795-9614 or visit kiwanisauburnlewistonmaine.org .

Past President Mike Meservier was recently presented an LL Bean gift certificate by Auburn/Lewiston, ME Kiwanians as a token of appreciation for his leadership during his 2009 – 2010 term. He was very surprised and happy to accept.

          Recently, the Kiwanis Club of Auburn Lewiston, Maine, recognized its Kiwanian of the Year.  President Mike Meservier presented the award to Jan Dwinal. She has been bubbling over with enthusiasm, energy and great ideas this last year. She heads the Membership Committee, which brought in eight new members in 2008-09! She shows no signs of slowing down, either, as she adding being the Incoming President-Elect. We are proud of all she has done for our club.

          The award is presented to the Kiwanian who, in the past year, has shown commitment to our club, outstanding leadership, and living out the Kiwanis ideals in their daily life.

          Jan is a real estate broker at Coldwell Banker Millett Realty, with offices in Auburn, Maine. She is married to Past President Doug Dwinal, and lives in Lewiston.

          Congratulations, Jan! We appreciate all that you have done!

          On October 28, 2009, the Kiwanis Club of Auburn-Lewiston, Maine, inducted our new officers, for the year 2009-10. We had a special guest to administer the oaths of office, Lt. Gov. Keith Wass, from the Rockland, Maine, club. In his remarks following, he brought messages from the International President and District Governor.

          We are going to try something a bit different this year. Instead of one President, we will have a board of Past Presidents running things. In October, Dan Goff was in charge, this month we will have Patti Gagne (and her golf jokes!). In coming months, John Cronin and Bud Nelson will return to the lectern, with second stints for Dan and Patti.

          Rounding out the slate is Jan Dwinal as Incoming President, Secretary Craig Phillips and Treasurer Larry Lauze. Jan also is the Membership Committee chair, and is behind the wonderful growth in new members in the last year.

          Each and every officer and director look forward to your ideas on how to make our club better. We make “Children Priority One”, to build our community one child at a time.

The club meets every Wednesday at Noon, at the Ramada Inn, Pleasant Street Lewiston, just off the Maine Turnpike. We invite all guests and prospective members to join us.

The Kiwanis Club of Auburn-Lewiston inducted another new member, Todd McCollough. He is the manager of Hudson Bus Lines. He joins many new members in the last year. We are growing, and happy for it!

          New member Todd was inducted byPast President Dan Goff, with help from Membership Committee Chair/2008-09 Kiwanian of the Year/Incoming President Jan Dwinal, and Immediate Past President Mike Meservier.