The Willow Grove Grammar School K-Kids in Hackettstown has been designated as a “Distinguished Club” for the 2015-2016 year – the only “Distinguished” K-Kids in the New Jersey District!

Under the tutelage of School Nurse/Faculty Advisor Robin Gibbon, the club performed a plethora of projects such as the Food Collection for the troops overseas; second Annual Veterans Day Tribute honoring 16 veterans who are related to students; made cards and wrote letters which were distributed to the veterans; sent more than 100 holiday cards to troops overseas and more than 50 holiday cards to veterans at the VA hospital in Lyons; made Valentine Day Cards and sent them to veterans at the VA hospital ; collected 802 pairs of shoes for the “Soles For Souls” project which were sent to impoverished Appalachian Mountain Communities; organized a “Fly Your American Flag Everyday” campaign;  and marched in the Hackettstown Memorial Day Parade.

K-Kids is a Kiwanis Leadership Sponsored Program in grammar schools.  Kiwanis also has similar programs in middle schools. The goal of the Sponsored Leadership Programs is to teach children the joy and responsibility of helping others at an early age and provide them with a pathway throughout their academic career so that caring and sharing has become part of their DNA as they enter adulthood.

In recognition of this prestigious designation, NJ District Kiwanis Governor Anthony Affatati visited the Willow Grove Club on Nov. 30 to present their banner patch and express his admiration and gratitude for their many accomplishments.

For more information about Kiwanis and its leadership programs, contact Steve Gandley at201-663-3593; etiennegandley@gmail.com.