Pepper Robinson, the executive director at the Five Towns Early Learning Center in Inwood, said the members of Kiwanis made sure that each child had a gift for the holidays. They also made a donation to the center after Hurricane Sandy to help families whose homes were destroyed or damaged. “One of the people that I met on the day I began my work at the center in 2004 was Dominic Cura from Peninsula Kiwanis who came to remove some debris from the playground that same day,” Robinson said. “It is reassuring to know that they are always there whenever I need help for the center.”

Harry Levitt, the club’s 2nd vice president, joined four years ago because he was amazed by the organization. “I saw all the great things they do and I’ve never seen a more dedicated group of men that put other people first before themselves,” he said. “We’re run 100 percent by volunteers and when we raise money, it goes directly back into the community. It’s a great feeling and this is what we do.”