This is to introduce a new monthly column from the Levittown Chamber of Commerce, which will highlight one of the Chamber's members and look at how it is impacting and benefiting our community. The company or organization to be spotlighted will be selected by a business card lottery, which will be drawn at the Chamber of Commerce general meetings, held on the third Wednesday of every month.

We want to express our gratitude to the Levittown Tribune for allowing us this column and for their continued support of the Levittown Chamber.

This month's Spotlight is on the Levittown Kiwanis Club. In an interview with its president, Gary Crozier, he explained that Levittown is part of Kiwanis International, a 90 year old, non-sectarian organization whose mission is to aid the children of the world. The Levittown club is 51 years old.

The Levittown Kiwanis Club runs the following programs:

Terrific Kids Program

Terrific Kids recognizes children in the district's elementary schools with outstanding academic, athletic and/or community service achievements. One or two children per class are selected by teachers and/or classmates. The children get a citation, a bumper sticker and their picture published in the Levittown Tribune.

Kamp Kiwanis

Kamp Kiwanis, located upstate in Taberg, New York provides camping experiences for children 8 to 14 years old including those with special needs. Kiwanis clubs from all over New York state sponsor children from their areas to attend this sleep away camp. The Levittown Kiwanis Club was able to send 11 children last year for one week at no cost to the families.

Holiday Food Baskets

Provided to needy families in our community.

Community Pride Day

Levittown Kiwanis sponsors an annual Community Pride Day at which community groups set up exhibits to familiarize the community with the services they offer.

Key Club

The Kiwanis Club sponsors and oversees the four school Key Clubs in both Levittown and Island Trees.

The Levittown Kiwanis Club is a not for profit organization funded by membership dues, donations and fund-raising events such as he annual Pancake Breakfast held in conjunction with the LEADD Walk and Fair and the upcoming annual Fathers Day 5K Run/Walk.

A board of directors elected by the club members runs the Levittown Kiwanis Club. There is a weekly general meeting on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. held at La Focaccia Restaurant at the East Village Green. Membership is open to any person or organization with annual dues of $100.

For further information regarding the Kiwanis Club of Levittown write to: Kiwanis Club of Levittown, PO Box 152, Levittown, NY 11756, telephone (516) 579-5361.

The Levittown Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting business in Levittown. Its membership is comprised of entities operating or conducting business in Levittown, as well as Levittown community organizations, institutions and residents. For information on joining the Chamber, contact the Chamber President, Louise Cassano at 735-5901 or the Chamber office at 520-8000 or write to Levittown Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 207, Levittown, NY 11756.