Catching Up with Kiwanis

Kiwanis Club of Marco Island recently met for our dinner meeting at The Island Hideout with 22 members present. President Donna Dubey presented member Susanne Grossman a certificate of appreciation and recognized her as Volunteer of the Year in recognition of her outstanding dedication, enthusiasm, and selfless service. Her generosity of spirit and unwavering service have made a profound and lasting impact on the children and families of our community.  

We also welcomed three new members into our club.

Karen Simmons is from the great state of Iowa and has lived on Marco Island for over 20 years.  She is retired. In addition to her involvement with Kiwanis, she is a member of CCW at San Marco Catholic Church. Karen joined Kiwanis Club to give back to the community.

Marie Thimble is originally from New York City, however she lived in Albany, New York, for more than 30 years. In 2018, she and her husband moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where her daughter and family reside. She and her husband became seasonal residents of Marco Island in 2011. Marie retired in 2008 from the Albany County Department for Children, Youth, and Families, where she worked in the Early Intervention Program. Since 2016, she has volunteered at the Marco Island Historical Museum and is also a member of the Marco Island Historical Society. Marie is also a member of the YMCA, MICA, and the San Marco Catholic Church. She said that she enjoys working with children of all ages and encouraging them to build strong values that help them make a positive difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. The Kiwanis Club leaders on Marco Island work tirelessly to promote these ideals.  

Gillian Hamer is originally from Uruguay,  where her English mother and American father met and lived for more than 50 years. She went to boarding school in Buenos Aires and then to the US to attend college. Gillian and her husband spent seven years in Europe, teaching at US Air Force bases. She returned to the US and went to Cornell University, where she received her PhD in 1979. Gillian moved to Marco Island in 2007 as a full-time resident. Gillian volunteers at the Marco Island Historical Museum as a docent greeter. She joined Kiwanis Club for social reasons and to make a difference in our community.  

Our next Kiwanis Club meeting will be breakfast at Ori's Bakery on Thursday, February 19, at 7:00 AM, where we will honor third-grade Terrific Kids from Tommie Barfield Elementary School. Upcoming Fundraising events include our 22nd Annual Marco Island Car Show on Saturday, February 21, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at Veteran's Park, our second annual Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, March 21, at Veteran’s Park, and our annual 5K Run for Kids at Hideaway Beach on Saturday, March 28th from 7 to 10:00 AM.  

For more information about this fun and hardworking club, go to http://www.marcokiwanis.com.