Kiwanis Club of Hanson Foundation

I have had the pleasure of working with the President of Hanson Kiwanis for several years at the NE & Bermuda District level. We have served three district governors as Division Lieutenant Governors and he is currently on the District Finance Committee. Hanson Kiwanis and their president have been recognized by the District with a Membership Award and by Kiwanis International with a Presidential Inspiration Award. He was selected as the Outstanding LTG for 2015-2016 (of 26). They have earned their reputation for consistent and exemplary service and especially for sponsoring Service Leadership Program (SLP) clubs at the middle school and high school, as well one of the largest and most successful Aktion Clubs in our district. They also are the charter organization for a new Boy Scout Troop. I certainly agree with the strong reviews I have read, which have been well-earned.

I have heard wonderful things about Hanson Kiwanis and was impressed with the many positive reviews endorsing the work of Hanson Kiwanians that are on the site. I have a good impression of a few Kiwanis clubs in my area, but more familiar with the members in Hanson and have attended meetings and events in the past. The members are incredibly warm and welcoming and I have met some wonderful people.

Hanson Kiwanis does an excellent job of modeling what service to others is about and why this club and the foundation have such an enviable history and reputation.

As a Field Representative for The Salvation Army I work with many volunteers, especially prior to our Christmas bell ringing campaign. I had the chance to explain what we do to the members of the Hanson Aktion Club, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Hanson Foundation. The host agency is New England Village, a residential and day facility for adults living with disabilities. I was able to attend another meeting after the holidays to present volunteer certificates for the several club members who participated. I am aware of the Kiwanis reach in Hanson and several surrounding towns. They are willing to partner with different agencies and other charitable organizations and as a result have a wider range of positive impact than most. Thanks Tim

For many years I was the faculty advisor for the Hanson Kiwanis sponsored Builders Club at our middle school. Kiwanis has long sponsored the Key Club at the high school and the regional school district has a strong emphasis on students participating in community service. Providing middle school students with opportunities to learn about such service and be able to organize and implement school programs such as recycling, faculty recognition, raising funds for a Dollars for Scholars award, and visiting the senior citizens center and local nursing home better prepared them for leadership roles and expanded engagement at the high school level. KCHF is a vital component of our community efforts on behalf of students and the Kiwanis mission of improving the welfare of families and children locally and throughout the world.

I have been familiar with Hanson Kiwanis my entire life and they do a great job of modeling community service. As the mother of four boys, and because as parents we have kept them quite busy through athletics and Boy Scouts, we value people and organizations like Kiwanis who have a defined purpose which centers so markedly on families and kids in our school system. They were charter sponsors of a Boy Scout Troop for many years and in December stepped up when we asked for their assistance in chartering a new troop. They did not hesitate and true to form have taken an active role by devoting time, involvement in a fundraiser to increase our bank account, and even donating specific items such as bike helmets, winter gloves, and a special entrenching tool, to assure we were able to get off to a successful start – and we have!!!

I started teaching history part-time at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School (WH) in 1974. The following year, I became a full-time history teacher.
In February 1988, I became an assistant principal. I held that position until July 1995. I was principal at WH from 1995 to 2001. I left WH to become principal at North Attleboro High School, shortening my commute by 90 minutes. I also coached golf for 4 years and wrestling for 21 years. Finally, I was a class advisor and Student Council advisor more than 15 years.
In my roles as teacher, coach, advisor, assistant principal and principal, I worked closely with the Hanson Kiwanis Club (HKC) throughout the years. The HKC members were extremely supportive of WH students and staff.
The primary event the HKC sponsored was the end of the year Awards and Recognition Banquet. This event was akin to planning a wedding with so many details to attend to. Every club and athletic team had a student who was recognized. Also, the top academic students were featured. The HKC member most responsible for the coordination of the banquet was Dr. Gerry Lozeau. As an administrator, I worked hand in glove with Gerry. The banquet continues to this day, 18 years after I left WH. I understand that Gerry has been the Master of Ceremonies for the past 39 years. I can't think of a service club that is more deserving of recognition than the HKC.

The Kiwanis Club of Hanson is an outstanding organization and does so much for our community. I am happy to support them as a donor.

I am involved with our schools and public library, which has given me an opportunity to be aware of Hanson Kiwanis activities and good works in many important ways. What first comes to mind for most people is the student community service clubs they sponsor, providing students a chance to run club projects, assume officer and board member roles, engage with senior citizens, our food pantry, faculty and staff, and organizations for which they fundraise. Kiwanis members are busy and have varied backgrounds and occupations; however, true to the adage, busy people seem to find the time to get things done. In this case, the work they do and the things that get done are for the benefit of others most in need. Kiwanis Club of Hanson Foundation is a valued asset in our town and beyond.

My father was honored as a sixty-year Legion of Honor member of Hanson Kiwanis at their Christmas family meeting in December. My husband is a past-president, and my brother-in-law is a member of the foundation and a past-president. I fondly remember Christmas wreath decorating and sales, the annual steak fry, our daughter’s award at the Kiwanis Student Recognition Program, and the many Kiwanis activities that have made the club a very influential and meaningful community resource. They support local food pantries and one summer spearheaded a food pantry drive that raised almost $25,000 which enabled the completion of a permanent building to call home for the first time. They sponsor service clubs so students in all grades can learn about service, practice service and leadership, and eventually become servant leaders at some point in adulthood. People who needed help have found Kiwanis at a time when they were most vulnerable. At Town Hall green the community events sign has been twice restored and upgraded. Hanson Community Christmas, a local homeless shelter, a food kitchen, and many families have benefitted by the work and generosity of Hanson Kiwanis and its membership.

I have been aware of Hanson Kiwanis since high school and their work with Key Club and as the originator and sponsor of a student recognition night each June. I have attended family friendly events they have offered and know several of the members quite well. At Christmas they are volunteers at a town tradition, a Christmas Sing hosted by several Kiwanis members of the same family for the past 62 years. The sale of Christmas wreaths is a fundraiser which helps them help others most in need. I like the causes that Kiwanis identifies as important and are part of their mission statement: families, child wellness, the Service Leadership Program clubs for students from early elementary through college, a club for adults developmentally challenged, youth athletics, boy scouts, and the campaign Kiwanis and UNICEF have underway to eliminate maternal neonatal tetanus. I believe that of the 57 countries originally targeted only 14 remain. When this is done, they will have saved the lives of 60 million mothers and children. Very impressive and worth 5-Star rating for sure.

I have been a coordinator of volunteers for a major annual charity event for over 10 years, in addition to having familiarity with a number of non-profits. As a long and valued friend of a member of the leadership team of the Kiwanis Club of Hanson I can verify and complement what I have read from other reviewers and add that KCHF is not hesitant to extend its charitable reach and impact beyond its immediate local presence. That may be why their membership has attracted people from different communities and even active duty military who want to maintain a connection with the activities that describe community. I especially commend them and all Kiwanis clubs and their youth service leadership organizations for the impressive number of service hours devoted to those in need.

I recently had the opportunity to read posted reviews for the Kiwanis Club of Hanson Foundation and thought I might reinforce a few comments about the positive impact of the club and its membership. As an active member of another charitable organization in town I have been impressed with the efforts Kiwanis and the leadership team has made to collaborate with other charitable groups and to support any of their activities. As a result, more people are better served and there is a greater understanding of needs and how they might be addressed. Overall, any fundraisers, no matter who organizes them, are better attended and more successful. KCHF has expressed an interest in enhancing the existing level of coordination among charitable groups and that will certainly benefit more families, especially children.

For the past year I have been involved with the Kiwanis Club of Hanson as they introduced and sponsored a Kiwanis Aktion Club, designed for adults (18+) living with disabilities. I attended the first information sessions and watched the formation of the Hanson Aktion Club in conjunction with New England Village as the host agency. It has been a terrific effort by both organizations for the benefit of over 30 members. As a volunteer and a parent I have been able to observe and participate in club meetings and activities which encourage members to provide for others, learn about service leadership, serve in club officer and committee roles, and engage with various individuals and groups in local communities. The agency and Kiwanis advisors stress wonderful character traits and habits. What members have accomplished since their charter last December has been impressive and they are resolved to take it to the next level this coming Kiwanis year, which began October 1. I would highly recommend Hanson Aktion Club to any family with an adult with disabilities and commend both the agency and the Kiwanis Club of Hanson for their great work and collaboration.

I can provide a strong review of Hanson Kiwanis and their good work based on my long association with many members and from seeing the results of their community service programs, donations, and volunteer activities. This past year, they sponsored a club for adults living with disabilities which has been very successful. Many Kiwanis members are also involved in other civic and professional organizations, but find the time and commitment to make a contribution because of the emphasis on assisting families, especially children, the club's desire to become a larger an even more meaningful service organization, and the many different ways members can somehow make a difference. It is impressive that some very busy professionals have made it a point to maintain their association as members so they can help when available. I think it is also commendable that they work well with other organizations in town and support their activities and programs. I believe this is the club's 68th year and if they reach some of the goals they have publicized, the next few years will be great for them, for our town, and for many people in need throughout the world.

As a business owner and resident I have been able to observe the positive impact of Hanson Kiwanis over many years. As a parent I have come to better appreciate the Kiwanis mission centering on service leadership programs for students at various age levels from elementary school through college. I have observed the dedication of the club and its members and the ways they react to requests for assistance, not only in our town and local area, but within New England, the U.S., and even internationally. Our middle school Kiwanis sponsored Builders Club and high school Key Club provide opportunities for students to learn about service leadership, caring for those less fortunate, and overall development of strong character traits. I get a chance to hear many comments about the recent growth, energy, and enhanced focus of Hanson Kiwanis and I am pleased that I discovered this forum to share and support their efforts.

Our regional school district has been fortunate to have the Kiwanis clubs of our two towns co-sponsor our High School Key Club and for thirty-six years a unique end-of-year Kiwanis Student Recognition Program that highlights the achievements of the MVPs for every school sponsored sport and club/activity. The event includes several special awards for academic excellence and students and adults who are honored based on the votes of the senior class and the senior athletes of each town. Hanson Kiwanis has accepted the responsibility of coordinating this annual program and I am personally aware of their many positive efforts to provide positive support and recognition for our students and school district community. They are actively engaged in the Kiwanis International Service Leadership Program, which provides opportunities for students at different age levels to learn about and practice service leadership.

I have had the pleasure to add Gerry Lozeau the president of the Hanson Kiwanis club to my most respected friends list. Gerry is a unique individual who always puts himself last and others first. I have worked over 25 years in a fortune 500 company and have met and worked with many leaders around the world. I have coached sports for my children and many others for 12 years. I am not involved with the Kiwanis club but I am a servant to the Salem Mission in Salem, Mass. Sharing stories with Gerry about some of the contributions the Kiwanis club makes to society brightens my heart and inspires my thinking that there is hope out there. These are the organizations that perform miracles and need more exposure with the hope that these generous groups will become contagious.

The Hanson Kiwanis Club is an active and dedicated civic organization serving the needs of Hanson citizens. The members are always ready and willing to assist the Town, whether it be the renovation of the community events sign in front of town hall, participating in our the annual Hanson Day, assisting Hanson Community Christmas or DARE Safety Day. The Annual Steak Fry is a perennial favorite, which gives residents an opportunity to meet the Club members while reconnecting with neighbors and friends. The residents of Hanson are fortunate to have Hanson Kiwanis Club serving the community. I applaud their efforts and commitment to the community.

Hanson Kiwanis is an outstanding group of men and women led by a dedicated President, Gerry Lozeau. I have run a non-profit, Prom Angels Foundation, for seven years. We are very fortunate to have the support of several organizations and many individuals, including Hanson Kiwanis. They are the heartbeat of the community and always present to make a positive difference in the lives of others, in particular the special needs community. Their concern and commitment in this regard was evidenced when they sponsored a Kiwanis Aktion Club for adults living with disabilities. We hope to continue our association with these great people.

The Kiwanis Club of Hanson is a wonderful group which does so much for the town of Hanson. As the coordinator of Hanson Community Christmas, I rely on the generosity of our clubs, businesses and residents to ensure that no children go without during the holiday season. The Kiwanis are very generous each year and go out of their way to help local families.

My experience with the Kiwanis of Hanson has been terrific. Gerry Lozeau and many of the members of his group have been wonderful at educating many in our area about how we can make a difference in our community through not just words but actions. Six years ago, I started an annual event called Party for the Pantry that raises money for the food pantry in my town (Pembroke, Massachusetts). Over the first five years, we've raised over $20,000 and Gerry and others from the Hanson Kiwanis have been great about attending the event, donating money and food and helping spread the word about the event. Hanson has their own Food Pantry (which the Kiwanis of Hanson have been instrumental in helping succeed) but each year they make sure to do everything they can to support us and our event despite the fact that it has minimal impact on their town. The Kiwanis are a great example of doing well by doing good. Sincerely, Matt York