East Meadow Kiwanis clubs took to the garden

On what may have been the most humid and uncomfortable day of the year, Key Clubbers from East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools joined Circle Kers from Adelphi University and LIU-Post to prepare a plot of land acquired by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club from Cornell Cooperative Extension on Merrick Avenue.

Kiwanis Club President Mitchell Allen’s President Project involves working with the East Meadow School District to use the land to promote scientific learning, environmental studies, hands-on research projects and community service.

The Key Clubbers, guided by Allen and Service Leadership Chair Rich Santer, weeded the areas between the garden beds, evened out the dirt and covered the areas with a weed barrier and wood chips.

Circle K Distinguished Past Gov. Rickie Santer, who recently returned from Circle K International’s large-scale service project in New Orleans, said, “While it is hot and humid this morning, it feels like air conditioning compared to building houses in New Orleans last week.”

Key Club Lt. Gov. Paul DeSantis, whose family has its own plot at the Cornell Cooperative Extension farm, was glad the Key Clubbers were given the opportunity to give back to their sponsoring Kiwanis Club. “President Mitchell has been very supportive to all the service leadership programs during his term. I am thrilled to be able to assist him with his President’s Project.”

Despite the oppressive weather, the Key Clubbers and Circle Kers enjoyed the hands-on service and look forward to helping the East Meadow Kiwanis Club with this and other projects in the future.