For many years now the Kiwanis Korner has been submitted on a weekly basis by a very dedicated Kiwanian, Mario Bucci. Whether it was writing this column, bringing tables and chairs to an event, cooking or sending an underprivileged child to camp, Mario has always been the first to volunteer. For 15 years Mario has epitomized what Kiwanis is all about.

Mario will be retiring from the Gerald Claps Vocational Program at the end of the school year and will be moving out of state. This is going to be a tremendous loss, not only for the Levittown Kiwanis Club but for the community as a whole because Mario has never limited himself to one organization. He has done so much to help so many people in Levittown but he has never looked for accolades or thanks. On the contrary much of what Mario has done has been done anonymously. In fact, while others took the spotlight, Mario always stayed behind the scenes

In recognition of his 15 years of unwavering service the Levittown Kiwanis Club presented Mario with Life Member status at one of his final Levittown Kiwanis meetings. Mario has already looked into Kiwanis Clubs in his new home-town and this life membership will carry over to his new club. Life membership is a very rare recognition to be awarded and it is reserved for truly remarkable Kiwanians such as Mario. Life Membership was established by Kiwanis International as a means for recognizing individuals who demonstrate concern for others through outstanding Kiwanis service.

The Kiwanis Club of Levittown will miss Mario's generosity and friendship and we wish him health and happiness in his retirement.

Scholarship Night is fast approaching. It is a wonderful way to spend an evening. It is an honor to be present and see the proud students and their parents accepting the scholarships.

Sunday, June 20, is going to be a very special day. It is the day the Levittown Kiwanis Club is holding their annual 5K run/walk. All proceeds go to Kiwanis sponsored charities.

Would you like to be a sponsor or a runner? Please call Kevin Regan at 731-5016.

At this time the Levittown Kiwanis Club is selling their annual "300 Club Tickets." The cost is $25 each. There is a drawing each second Thursday of the month. The prizes are:

Monthly Drawing Holiday Drawing (December)

1st prize: $100 1st prize: $250

2nd prize: $50 2nd prize: $100

3rd prize: $25 3rd prize: $50

The $25 cost covers each and every month until April of 2005.

The Levittown Kiwanis Club wishes to thank the community for their contributions.

This is a very special time of year for the Levittown Kiwanis Club. We are trying to raise as much money as possible. The reason is the end of the school year is approaching. That means scholarships will be given to graduating High School Seniors in Levittown. We as of late have been writing about Camp Kiwanis in our Kiwanis Korner. What could be better than sending a deserving youngster to Camp Kiwanis? Would you or your organization like to send a child to camp? It costs $395 per child per week at Camp Kiwanis. Please send your donation to:

Kiwanis Club of Levittown, Inc.

P.O. Box 152

Levittown, NY 11756

Please mark on your check what to use the funds for: Scholarship or Summer Camp or both. The more we collect, the more we can do for the young people of Levittown.

Are you interested? Please come and see what the club is all about.

Please, be a Kiwanian!

What could you do for your community? Think about it!

Would you like to join an organization of community people who give back to their community? Are you interested in joining? Please come to one of our meetings for a "look see." I guarantee you'll be impressed.

Did you know Kiwanis has a website? For you computer hackers: check out the Kiwanis International website at www.kiwanis.org.

Please save all your soda/drink flip top tabs and all your Campbell soup labels and General Mills box tops and turn them in to the Levittown Kiwanis Club at one of our meetings. You may ask: why labels and soda tabs? The labels and box tops go to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, which they redeem for a monetary amount. The soda tabs go to the Fork Lane School in Hicksville and they give them to the Nassau County Medical Center Burn Unit.

Sunday, June 20 (Father's Day)

Eighth Annual Levittown Kiwanis 5K Run. Start and finish behind the Tri County parking lot. 8 a.m. start. Prizes, raffles, refreshments, T-shirt for every entry. Please call Mr. Kevin Regan at 731-5016 if you are interested.

Monday, June 21, East Broadway 9:30 a.m.

Over 1000 students have received a Terrific Kids certificate last year. Please watch for our bumper sticker.

The Levittown Kiwanis Club meets every Thursday night at 6:30 p.m. at:

La Focaccia Restaurant

70 East Village Green

Levittown, NY 11756

Telephone 796-4461

Please stop by and get involved with the Kiwanis Club of Levittown and see what it does for its community.

Look for the Kiwanis Korner in this paper every week.