by: Lorna Wright
KENDALL – To experience the great camaraderie among members of the Kiwanis Club of Kendall/South Dade (“KCKSD”) is a treat. KKCKSD started in 2002 having been chartered by the Kiwanis Club of Lauderdale Lakes/West Sunrise.
With Charter President John Clemetson in place, KCKSD achieved First Runner-Up for Club of the Year among 270 Charters, an indication of the club’s high level of involvement with adults and children in its community.
Like other Kiwanis Clubs, KCKSD has several objectives, which include “giv[ing] primacy to the human and spiritual, rather than to the material values of life” and “promot[ing] the adoption and the application of higher social, business, and professional standards.”
KCKSD’s Role in the Community
Throughout the years, this organization has been actively engaged in its service efforts, from providing relief to communities affected by natural disasters in Florida and the Caribbean to offering scholarships.
Most of its work is done in the Kendall/South Dade area, and with strongly committed members, KCKSD adopted a Head Start Program in Goulds and a Highway in Perrine, communities in the Miami area.
KCKSD implemented a successful Thanksgiving feeding program in its community. Ongoing monthly activities also include (1) administering to patients at its adopted nursing home, (2) doing a cleanup project and (3) completing a church visit.
KCKSD has assisted in disaster relief efforts for Floridians affected by Hurricane Charlie, and donated over US$17,000.00, including supplies, to the islands of Grand Cayman, Grenada, Haiti and Jamaica, after their devastation by Hurricane Ivan.
KCKSD has worked diligently to collaborate with some local organizations like Hands on Miami, T-Metro, and the Jamaica Nurses Association, and others in Jamaica like the Jamaica Cancer Society, Jamaica AIDS. It also adopted Swift Purcell Boys Home and Lyndale Girls Home, both in the Parish of St. Mary. KCKSD has already established a scholarship program that supports students locally and in Jamaica, four of which are four-year awards and six one-time awards. With commitment to these service projects comes the responsibility of raising funds with signature events like its Annual New Year’s Eve Ball and Golf Tournament in May.
Leadership Profile
Under the leadership of Immediate Past President and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Yvette Neil, the membership of KCKSD has grown to 52 after an appeal to introduce at least one member per month. Neil moved to the United States in 1983 and relocated to Florida in 1989.
She feels her involvement in KCKSD is a calling and is inspired by the fact that the meetings begin and end with prayers. Neil owns Vettone Trucking and is also involved with Bayview Financial. Recently inducted President Walcott Allen’s mandate is to continue with and expand the myriad of KCKSD activities by having monthly mixers for business networking and club fundraising in an atmosphere of fun. Allen, Vice President for Churchill Construction, migrated to the United States in 1987 and has been a member of KCKSD for three years.
This active group of Kiwanians inspires commitment among prospective members who have the energy to match!
