Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City

by David Landis

Kiwanis Supports Interfaith Caregivers. Pictured is Reverend David Herr, Human and Spiritual Affairs Chair for the Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City and leader of Worcester County Interfaith Caregivers, as he accepts a check for $400 from Kiwanis Club V.P. Barbara Peletier. Interfaith Caregivers has been in existence for almost 20 years and is manned by volunteers who offer their time and cars to drive individuals in need of transportation to and from medical appointments. Reverend Herr stated that most of the people now go to AGH and nearby health providers in Berlin, MD as opposed to earlier times when it was necessary to drive to Salisbury where those services were available. For more information or to volunteer to be a driver, contact Reverend Herr at 410-352-5382.

Kiwanis Learns About CASA. The mission of Kiwanis is "Serving the Children of the World", therefore it was most fitting to hear from Worcester Youth and Family Counseling Services, a non-profit private agency, about one of their very important programs focusing on the welfare of children in Worcester County since 1975. Pictured is Stefanie Gordy, Director of Development of Worcester Youth and Family as she explains what their CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program entails. It "specifically works with children who are in the Worcester County court system due to severe neglect, sexual abuse and physical abuse". Their mission is "to give these victims a voice and provide a safe place for them to grow". Kiwanis Speakers Chair, J.Graham Caldwell on the left and the club's V.P. Barbara Peleteir are seated behind Stefanie. The organization serves a vital need and in addition to grants, it relies on the support of the community, both financially and through volunteer support. If interested, call the office located at 124 Main Street in Berlin, MD at 410-641-4598 or go to their website at www.gowoyo.org for additional information about their services and fundraisers.

Newest Kiwanian Inducted. Pictured are (L to R) Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines - Ocean City Membership Chair Pat Winkelmayer, V.P. Barbara Peletier, inductee Lee Brooke, and Co-sponsor Skip Dennig (Phil Lassiter absent) as Lee is inducted as the newest member of the club on Wednesday February 1st at the club's weekly meeting in the OP Community Center. Lee, a Pennsylvania native from Norristown, married his childhood sweetheart Suzanne in 1963. They now reside in Ocean Pines, MD since March of 2009 but still have ties in PA where their daughter and 3 grandchildren live. In addition to being a Kiwanian, Lee is also a member of the Community Church of Ocean Pines serving on various committees. He also finds time to play golf as a member of the men's Wednesday/Friday nine hole golf league at the OP Golf Course. His first "official" Kiwanis event will be the February 11th Pancake Breakfast at the Ocean Pines Community Center from 8 - 11 AM. Come on in and say HELLO!