Kiwanis Club of Auburn – Lewiston Maine

Andrew Harris, director of L/A Arts accepted helpful funds from Jan Dwinal, vice president of  the Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis and real estate agent at Millett Realty Coldwell Banker. The club is fulfilling a pledge to financially help and otherwise support art programs to children in our community. Harris said although it may be easy to cut programs like these from school budgets during rough economic times, kids still need to be exposed to the arts. While many kids learn in traditional classrooms, many need to be stimulated to learn by other means. Adding art to the mix helps insure all kids get the same chance. As proof of  this theory, he shared, an activity calendar started with a printing of 500 copies and is now at 18,000. We have rich arts in our community and many do not know it. Our own Franco center has at times beaten out larger venues for internation artists. Over 5000 youths are served each and every year.

For more information about our local Kiwanis, go to www.auburnlewistonmainekiwanis.org. We are always looking for new members that want to help the children of the world, one at a time.

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.

The local Auburn-Lewiston Kiwanis Club has recently donated Kiwanis Clubby Bears children who face trauma or a family loss through the emergency room. The Kiwanis Club supports the District Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Our mission… is to serve the children of the world. There are more than 13,000 Kiwanis clubs worldwide in 80 countries, with more than 600,000 members.Pictured from St. Mary’s are Barbara Pierce, RN.MN, director of the Emergency Department, and Ron Bellmore, director of Material Management and Kiwanis Club member. Thanks to both of you for your dedicated service!

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.