Kiwanis Club of Atlanta has significantly impacted metro Atlanta, supporting more than 30 nonprofits that serve at-risk children. At our annual holiday celebration in December, we gave over $300,000 to these vital organizations through the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta Foundation.
We onboarded a new Key Club at South Atlanta High School and reengaged the Circle K Club at Georgia State University, strengthening our commitment to youth and future leaders. I want to thank Michael McPherson, an outstanding Kiwanian, who worked incredibly hard to make that happen.
Our programs have been nothing short of outstanding. I am grateful to chair Dick Stephens and all the committee members. It’s not easy to fill those slots week in and week out, and to do it with such exemplary leaders and diverse topics is a huge benefit to our members.
We’ve made progress in reinvigorating our volunteer efforts, and I am excited that President-Elect Kathy Colbenson will continue building on this momentum. We served families and patients at the Shepherd Center, got to hang out with the kids at Hillside and Camp Kiwanis and supported our servicemen and women at the Atlanta airport. Now, thanks to Dan Douglas, we are again reading at Dean Rusk Early Learning Center.
Our committee leaders have been phenomenal: Heidy Brusitus with Military Affairs, Christina Faine with PR, Kathy Kite with International Relations, Karen Carlyle with Invocations, and Tom Cross with Membership. Each has shown tremendous dedication to the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta.
I’d like to express particular thanks to Michelle Martin, Mason Stephenson and Walt Eaves, who stepped up big time on the hospitality committee. Your service is noticed and appreciated by all of us.
As we look ahead, our club faces two key opportunities: growing our membership and increasing attendance.
Membership is always a priority for any president, and while I believe I’ve delivered by focusing on supporting and engaging our current members, I recognize we’re facing challenges in growing our numbers.
We did not meet my goal of growing membership by 5% for the year. While I am disappointed, I am undeterred. We have a great group, we do excellent work in the community and we have a good time doing it. The strength of our current membership can and will move us forward.
I’d like to recognize John O’Kane and the entire Kiwanis Club of Atlanta Foundation committee for their leadership, as well as Donna Barwick and Lisa Maulding for chairing this year’s annual campaign. Leaning into what makes the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta unique was my top priority, and the Foundation is that thing. Thank you all for supporting it.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t single out Tom Cross again for creating and spearheading the food donation program along with all of the volunteers who have helped ensure our leftovers reach families in need every week.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside such true servant leaders. If I have omitted anyone in my thanks, please know it is not intentional — each of you plays a critical role in our success. I am excited for Kathy’s upcoming presidency, and I stand ready to assist her in any way I can.
There were challenges this year to be sure, but the key to whole apparatus is Karen Losin, and thanks to her, we’ve been able to stay on course most of the time. I’ll admit, sometimes I felt like I was losing it, but she always tolerated my many shortcomings with an excellent sense of humor.
I appreciate all of your support. I truly mean what I said at the beginning of every meeting I presided over — it is my honor to serve as the President of the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta.
Sincerely,
Thornton Kennedy