Alan Beinhacker is E.M. Kiwanian of the Year

The East Meadow Kiwanians recently recognized 20-year member Alan Beinhacker as the 2011 Kiwanian of the Year.

Beinhacker said he was introduced to Kiwanis through member Tom Gallagher. The two men have been friends since attending East Meadow High School in the 1970s, added Kiwanis past-president Harry Demiris.

Demiris handpicked Beinhacker as this year’s recipient and said, “It was an easy choice. He is extremely involved.”

Since becoming a Kiwanis member, Beinhacker held the position of president in 1998, is currently the chairman for the annual East Meadow community Pride Day, and helps organize the yearly golf fundraiser and Christmas dinner.

“I felt that it was very important for me to become active,” said Beinhacker. “I have been able to live a decent life and I wanted to give back.”

“He’s very involved in every major event. The award was definitely well deserved,” said Demiris. Demiris described Beinhacker as a charming leader and said that Kiwanian members were glad to see him recognized for his service. “People would come up to me and say, ‘It’s about time that he got it.’”

Beinhacker simply said, “I believe, do what you can, do it well and I hope that I have.”