Community’s best kept secret celebrates

The Five Towns Kiwanis, a community-centered service organization, marks its 70th anniversary this year and celebrated the club’s successes at its annual Marty Mongoni Golf Tournament on July 21, which also honored past presidents and raised $20,000 to benefit its programs that support the needs of children and seniors, and scholarships Hewlett-Woodmere, Lawrence and Rockville Centre school district students.
Rick Levine, a past president of the club and distinguished past lieutenant governor, was happy with the turnout. “The fact that we can get so many of our past presidents together in one place is simply amazing,” he said. “A lot of us live elsewhere now, and we’re spread out all over.”
The club, which refers to itself as the Five Towns’ best kept secret, has donated more than a $1 million to the community residents it helps.
Members are comprised of entrepreneurs, professionals, retirees and parents who either live or work in the community. Five Towns Kiwanis is one of 11 such groups in the Long Island Southwest Division of Kiwanis and a part of the New York District Kiwanis, they also work closely with the Peninsula Kiwanis chapter, which is also based in the Five Towns.
Current President Frederick Seltzer noted that both clubs help Five Towns residents and no real difference exists between the two chapters. “Back in 1968, the Kiwanis Club in our area was very large,” he said. “Our one large club was split in two. There needed to be two smaller clubs to accommodate more members.” Five Towns Kiwanis was established in 1944 with Leslie J. Ekenberg as its first president. Nick Farina, who served as mayor of Cedarhurst, was also instrumental in founding the local chapter. Two years ago, Laurie Law Marks became the Five Towns Kiwanis club’s first woman president.
Through the years, both Kiwanis groups have supported different programs and charities. Kamp Kiwanis sends underprivileged children to summer camp. Kiwanis Worldwide Service projects work toward eliminating iodine deficiencies and pediatric tetanus in underprivileged populations.