My Kiwanis Moment

As a longtime Kiwanian I have numerous high points but one in particular stands out for me.

As President of the Kiwanis Club of Sudbury I was asked to open the Northern Ontario Regional Special Olympics event held in the 1980's at Laurentian University. The club was a supporter of the Special Olympics. I was honoured to be there representing Kiwanis but I was not prepared for the impact it would have on me.

From the moment I blew the starting horn I couldn't believe the enthusiasm of these athletes. Whether they won or lost they hugged and congratulated their coaches, parents and each other. The most introverted of them came out to celebrate the opportunity to participate. Everybody got ribbons and medals. They walked around proudly showing off these awards. Indeed everybody was a winner that day.

I talked to some parents who glowed just seeing their children participate in life and feel for at least a day they were not different from everybody else. They were also grateful for the participation of the Kiwanis club in making a difference in their child's life.

It just strengthened my belief that Kiwanis does make a difference in the world.

Lieutenant Governor John Hamilton
Division 8