Capital District Kiwanian Elected to U.S. Senate

by David Wilson

The Wilmington, Delaware Kiwanis Club is very proud that one its members has been elected to the United States Senate from Delaware. Chris Coons (right) is filling the seat long held by current Vice-President Joseph Biden. Chris joined the Wilmington Kiwanis Club in 2009 after participating in our annual Armed Forces Day Banquet at the Hotel DuPont. As New Castle County Executive, Chris had always attended and presented awards to New Castle County's police, fire, and EMS service personnel on behalf of the County. In addition, the Wilmington Kiwanis Club is the only service organization in Northern Delaware to honor our police officers and firefighters.

The Wilmington Kiwanis Club has been fortunate in attracting public officials as members. From U.S. Senator J. Caleb Boggs in the 1950's to State Governor Russell Peterson in the 1960's and more recently State Governor Ruth Ann Minner and Wilmington City Mayor James Baker, the club has always stayed involved with the community by working with its elected officials.

Just a week before the election I was able to talk to Chris about our club's decision to adopt one of his suggestions - to add Paramedics to our quarterly awards meetings. He was very happy about it and told me to make sure he attended the first meeting with the Paramedics.

It was a surprise that last Wednesday, I found myself, our club's Community Services Chairman, Lee Derr, New Castle County's Police Chief Col. Michael McGowan, and Senator Chris Coons at the County Public Safety Building shaking hands and handing police officers the Wilmington Kiwanis Police Officer of the Quarter certificates.