for Military Families
Kiwanis AKtion Club members recently hosted a patriotic picnic in honor of Military Moms, family members, veterans and other loved ones of those serving in the Armed Forces. At this special event in Motz County Park, honored guests enjoyed all the trappings of a typical summer picnic.
Carrie Curtis, support technician with Transitions of St. Johns, assisted AKtion Club members in coordinating the gathering. She summed up the spirit behind the occasion. “AKtion Club members are very supportive of military men and women from our area who are serving in the Armed Forces,” said Curtis. “They really wanted to do something special to recognize the sacrifices made by them and their families. This picnic was entirely their idea and they have worked hard to see it come together.”
Nan Simons, left, and Carrie Curtis work closely with the Kiwanis AKtion Club, assisting the group in planning various community events.
AKtion Club members worked to assemble all the items needs for a successful event – from planning the menu to ordering the food and finally sending the invitations. While AKtion Club members acted as hosts and hostesses, several St. Johns Kiwanis supported the event by grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and overseeing the serving line.
Kiwanian Nan Simons, liaison to the AKtion Club, and Curtis worked with members to ensure guests had everything they needed to enjoy the picnic atmosphere. “This picnic is just one more example of the close bond AKtion Club members feel with our community. This group always inspires me to work harder at finding new community partnerships where their enthusiasm will be welcomed and appreciated.”
In all, the evening event was enjoyed by the nearly 40 attendees. Representing military ties at the picnic were Jeff and Debbie Gould and family whose son is an Army veteran. Army veteran is David Thomas attended with wife, Trish Morton Thomas. Bert and Sue Katzman have two sons serving in the Marines. Mary Dieterly and her son, Edward, 3, remembered her husband who currently serves in the Army. Lesa Stoddard and family enjoyed the time by honoring her Marine veteran son. Debbie Pytlowany also remembered her Marine veteran son. Judy Rademacher and family honored her Army son.
AKtion Club members already are discussing a new community project. “There’s no stopping our members,” said Curtis. “We’re always looking for ways to be more involved with our community.”
The St. Johns Kiwanis AKtion Club members are young and mature adults with disabilities. The Club is supported by St. Johns Kiwanis 707 in cooperation with Transitions in downtown St. Johns, a Community Mental Health affiliate.
Sharing some picnic fare are, from left, Mary Diederly and her son, Edward, 3, Kiwanian Jeanette Huard; and Bert and Sue Katzman. Diederly’s husband is stationed in Arizona. The Katzmans have two sons in the Marines, one in Afghanistan and another in California.