The Kiwanis Club of Statesboro had a very distinguished guest as their speaker for the weekly Thursday program at the Kiwanis Ogeechee Fairgrounds on Thursday, August 24, 2023.
Katrina Baranko, President Elect of Kiwanis International addressed the Club praising them for all of the wonderful work they are doing in our community and region.
Baranko of Albany, Georgia, was elected president of the board of trustees at the 2023 Kiwanis International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Lee Kuan Yong of Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, was chosen to be president-elect. They begin their new terms on October 1, 2023. Baranko is traveling to Savannah to attend the 2023 Georgia District of Kiwanis Convention in Savannah this weekend.
In her role Baranko travels to Kiwanis Clubs all over the world. She pointed out that one of the most remarkable things about traveling through North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe was noticing how the people are all different.
"Even in some of our American Kiwanis Districts people dress differently, they speak differently and we eat different things. But the most remarkable commonality was that a Kiwainans all over the world are all saying the same thing and and that is we want our community to be a better place for our children. That we want our children to go to bed in a safe place with full tummies and waking up to a brighter future for them," said Baranko.
"So as I travel around and drive into communities I always look around and wonder what this community would look like without Kiwanis Clubs. I know one thing we wouldn't have this huge Fairgrounds here in Statesboro if it wasn't for Kiwanis. I see ball fields and and playgrounds and park benches and so much more impact in every community I visit made by Kiwanians."
Recently while traveling abroad she discovered a Kiwanis Club that not only supports schools, but they built a school for Down Syndrome children. Without this school these children would just be at home with parents who don't really know how to help them develop and have a better quality life.
Baranko is going to encourage a week of service around September 11th where Kiwanis Clubs will partner will all civic clubs in the communities they serve to make a difference and show all of their foundations of service.
"Teamwork makes the dream work and what teamwork does through Kiwanis is make dreams happen for thousands of children. So get busy dream makers and and let your light shine and help other clubs shine in their communities as well," said Baranko.
