For instance, ask a teacher- what is the outlook,
Of a child who lives out his life without even One Book.
Or how special is an athlete who struggles on his feet,
But still thinks a cooked hot dog is actually pretty neat?
Hear the excitement in a child saying that the spark plug,
To bring up his grades- was a program called BUGS.
Maybe chat with a parent, who’s child had hit the skids,
But is doing much better since they joined K-Kids.
Talk to a parent who says each year they are wishing,
That their child signs them up for the Family Day of Fishing.
You can speak with a nation who says a disease that threatens us,
Is being eliminated- like neonatal term Is.
When you join in a service club, you have so many choices.
Inside your head you hear all of these voices.
Yet, after a while you understand for sure.
While in Kiwanis you give, you get back even more.
So today I am thankful for this club, today I am thankful for your love.
But you know who I want to throw some shade to when all is said and done?
I want to thank that man in 1983,
That asked me to join Kiwanis Club of Seminole B.
All of this time and it’s really a shame. I can’t even remember his name.
Because of him, how many hot dogs got cooked?
How many kids now have at least ONE BOOK?
How many Olympians so Special got hugs?
How many grades are better because of BUGS?
I think it’s a fairly safe suggestion,
To say we don’t need to ask others the answer to this question.
Inside you remember- there’s really nothing to it.
When you joined Kiwanis – why did you do it?

 

Welcome to the Breakfast Club

Poem composed & presented 2/21/23 by member Jim Allen at the installation ceremony of 3 new club members

A memory so fond and rare, a service club in which to share
Your motives just, your ideals high.  Communal growth your battle cry.
Alas, this day is yours, for Kiwanis truly opens doors.
Each current member will attest, The Breakfast Club hands downs – the best!
Our duty then, in all our grace – to welcome you, and to each embrace.
You as on your journey you embark, I trust the misery doth start.
You see I choose to wish for you, that sweat and pain shall follow you.
And least of all, I shan’t forget – I wish you most of all regret.
Kiwanis work is deemed as fun, and sure at times we do succumb
To smiling and a hearty laugh, perhaps when an apron gets an autograph.
But overall, wear overalls, with sleeves rolled up into a ball.
Cause work you deem now to be worthy, in reality can be quite dirty.
So yes, don’t be upset, when I say – I hope you really sweat.
To this next thought you might feel disdain, but yes, I hope you 3 feel pain.
The pain that still in this great country, children yet are going hungry.
Complacent we can never be – the task is great as you shall see.
Success is measured in many ways, but service is not assessed in praise.
One day your Kiwanis sun will set, and then I wish you all – regret.
That introspect – when you analyze, your life in service you realize.
Regardless of what you accomplished for sure, you wish in retrospect you’d done more.
So, of all the rewards for you we wish, Sweat Pain and Regret do top the list.
Seek these three and enjoy the love, and Welcome to The Breakfast Club.