An effort is under way to revitalize the Elmont Kiwanis Club so that the chapter, which is part of the 15 that comprise the Long Island South Central division of Kiwanis, will thrive again. The revitalization is being led by Long Island South Central Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor Janice Seyfried.

A membership roundup was held on July 10 and another meeting is planned for July 24 at Filomena's Restaurant in Franklin Square. The meetings are a way to generate interest in Kiwanis

The object of Kiwanis, an international organization, is to help those in need, with children as the organization's top priority. The organization is comprised of volunteers, many of whom are business professionals, and filters down into college with the Circle K Clubs, high schools with the Key Clubs, middle schools with the Builder's Clubs and elementary schools with the K-Kids.

According to Seyfried, being a part of Kiwanis is a rewarding experience as members of the organization witness the numerous people the club is able to help.

However, one problem facing the organization, particularly the Elmont chapter, is that members get old and it's sometimes difficult to get new members to join. Ideally, Kiwanis would like to get some young members to join so that a chapter can thrive for a long period of time. Young members are thought of as citizens just out of college, although the organization is comprised of members of many different backgrounds.

The Elmont chapter of Kiwanis has been around for half a century, but dwindled down to 10 members. That's when the revitalization got under way. The club was able to get 15 new members and hopes to add more. A thriving chapter of Kiwanis usually has over 30 members.

Seyfried said members are encouraged to stay active in the organization by attending at least one meeting per month and being involved in a project. Elmont club projects have included those in various areas of development: maternal and infant health, child care and development, parent education and support, safety and pediatric trauma, senior citizens dinners at holiday times, food baskets and scholarships. The Elmont club also sends disadvantaged and psychologically distressed children to Kamp Kiwanis, an upstate summer sleep-away camp that is principally aimed at providing fun and adventure for them.

What bodes well for Elmont is that Elmont Memorial High School sponsors a successful Key Club and Builder's Club. It is hoped that when those students graduate, they will become a part of Elmont Kiwanis. However, as sometimes happens, the students move away after college.

Anyone who is interested in more information about Elmont Kiwanis or is interested in attending the July 24 meeting can call Janice Seyfried at 826-6344.

- Joe Rizza