K-Kids and Kiwanis Club Honor Michael Laing

by Mary Ellen South

K-Kids at E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School live by the K-Kids Pledge: As a K-Kid, I promise to serve my neighborhood and my school. I will show respect toward my environment, and I will try to make the world a better place in which to live. They have reached this goal in just two years as a club. That could be mostly attributed to Michael Laing, special ed teacher and member of the local Front Royal Kiwanis Club. Mike saw the need and began the whole process, more or less himself. Last year District 19 honored him as Kiwanian of the Year for his efforts. But at the officer installment ceremony at the school recently, it was evident that the children involved consider Mr. Laing a special friend - not an honored individual. Over the first two years of the club's existence they have raised over $800 from special fund- raising efforts. They presented their school a check for $150 as part of their commitment to give back to their school and the community. Bill Powers, president of the Kiwanis Club of Front Royal, presented Mike with a special honor regarding his dediction to this first K Kids Club in Warren County. The plague reads: Kiwanis Club of Front Royal recognizes Michael Laing for his unselfish work with the children of E. Wilson Morrison Elementary School in organizing and leading the first K-Kids Club in Warren County
You have made a difference in our community. This presentation was especially poignant as Mike and his wife are moving to Texas at the end of the school year. He stated he hopes to find a club in their new area and start a K Kids club there.