The Southwestern Division of New York Kiwanis has held a ribbon-cutting and dedication of its building at the Chautauqua Children's Safety Education Village at the BOCES campus in Ashville.
As an organization whose primary purpose is service to youth, the local Kiwanis clubs five years ago began a project to raise enough money and garner enough help to construct a building at the village. Marie Lewis, 2004-2005 lieutenant governor, spearheaded the effort in conjunction with the annual Governor's Project, which that year focused on safety. Gov. Glenn Hollins visited the area at the time and saw the bare beginnings of the project, the vision of Sheriff Joe Gerace and so many others, and vowed to come back to see it finished. He kept his word and traveled to Chautauqua County from Long Island in September to see the completed "Kiwanis Children's Library."
The building was dedicated in memory of Past Lt. Gov. Denny Hedman, who worked hard on the beginnings of the project but passed away before the building went up. Kiwanis officials also thanked contractor Tom Campbell, member of the Falconer Kiwanis Club, for his work in putting up the building. Hollins plans to visit again when the village is open to see the final project.
New members are welcome to join Kiwanis. For more information, call Wendy Wilcox at 450-6874.
