Adelphi University’s Circle K was selected as the Outstanding Club of the Month in New York State for the month of October 2009. Circle K International (CKI) is a global organization of university volunteers who through the three tenets of service, leadership, and fellowship, improve peoples’ lives worldwide. It is sponsored by Kiwanis International. Locally, Garden City’s Kiwanis Club provides financial and active support to Adelphi’s Circle K. Jennifer Young is president of Adelphi’s Circle K.

On the weekend of October 31st, many Circle K members attended NY Speaking, a weekend conference held in Lake George, NY for statewide clubs. The weekend events included workshops on leadership. Kathryn Graves, who received the Outstanding New Member award, states: “The lessons I have learned from this weekend are going to stay with me for the rest of my life. Whether I am in a leadership position, or making a presentation to a class, these skills will be useful in all aspects of my life.” Incidentally, Jennifer received the Outstanding Club President Award.

This past semester students donated their time to causes that include: Ronald McDonald’s House, Better World Books, Long Island Harvest, and Garden City’s own Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Students meet Monday evenings to review service hours, share their volunteering encounters, and often work on projects. Recently, student sorted hundreds of gifts for children and packed them in wrapped shoeboxes for distribution around the world, as part of Operation Christmas Child.

The above were just a few charitable organizations that Circle K members participated in; one of the most gratifying was a project close to home. Jennifer comments, “one especially noteworthy success is our involvement in the Holiday Angels Project brought to us by our newly elected freshman editor, Lauren Sacks... Before our efforts took place, we were very hesitant that we would not meet our realistic goal of $400 to sponsor a local family with new clothing, food, and gifts for the holidays... we were able to raise an estimated $1,000 worth of donated items and cash... we raised so much that we were able to take on an additional smaller family, which Garden City Kiwanis has generously agreed to help sponsor as well...”

Going forward, it might appear that this semester’s achievements will be hard to surpass. However, with a growing membership, and visionaries who work tirelessly, it would seem all goals are possible. As Jennifer says, “I appreciate all the work the members have done so far and I can only imagine what we’ll accomplish in the future... we already have new ideas in mind and we’re looking forward to implementing them.” Don’t be surprised if more awards are received in 2010!