Kiwanis International President Dave Curry (right) and First Lady Eva Curry will
be visiting the Capital District in late January 2008. During
this special time our district will be hosting a number of
events for the First Family of Kiwanis. On Saturday evening,
January 26, 2008 Governor Art and First Lady Vickie will
host a reception from 6-7 pm (with cash bar) followed by
dinner at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, 4500 Crain Hwy,
Bowie, Maryland 20716. 
by David Landis
The Kiwanis Club of Greater OP/OC, led by Kiwanis members Ken McLaughlin and his wife Anita and John Hannigan, among many other members, was instrumental in getting the Walk to D-Feet ALS on the Maryland Eastern Shore started. It was driven by the fact that fellow Kiwanian, Carter Nobel, a step-up volunteer, a leader, and a do-it-all member, was diagnosed with the disease. He rode in a car and led the first Walk on September 30th 2005 as he was incapacitated by ALS. He died the following January 14th 2006. It was ironic how this man who spoke up in word and deed could no longer speak by the time the first Walk was held. Every year Carter and others like him are remembered and honored by the Annual Walk to D-Feet ALS. The Kiwanis Club of Greater OP/OC is proud to be involved.
Members
of the local Volunteer ALS Committee for the Walk to
D-Feet ALS (commonly known
as Lou Gehrig's Disease) met at the Ocean Pines Chamber
of Commerce on Monday October 15th to go over 2007 results
and to lay the foundation for the 4th Annual Walk to
D-Feet ALS to be held in October 2008. Pictured left
to right
are: Ron Thompson; Anita McLaughlin; standing is Carol
Ludwig, John Hannigan, Ken McLaughlin, standing is Fred
Heinlen, Carol Rosen and Dave Landis. Several committee
members were not able to attend.
A
big Thank You to all the sponsors, the over 300 walkers
of all ages, Stacy Sakai, WMDT-TV anchorwoman, who
emceed the event, Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean
City who fed hotdogs and refreshments to the crowd
(pictured
right are local Kiwanis Club members walking in the
parade), the Bank of Ocean City, Gull Creek Senior
Living Community,
West Ocean City Super Fresh, Berlin Wal-Mart, Pepsi
Cola Bottling Company of Salisbury, Most Blessed Sacrament
School Choir, Stephen Decatur High School Naval ROTC
color guard, the Stephen Decatur Key Club (Kiwanis
for
high schools), Stephen Decatur Middle School eighth
grader, Katerina Burton, who sang the "Star
Spangled Banner", the Delmarva Chorus of Sweet Adelines International for their entertainment,
and Joel Todd, Worcester County States Attorney, who
led the Walk while playing the bagpipes.
Over $38,000 was raised, but additional
pledges and funds are expected to take the final 2007
total over the $40,000 mark A great accomplishment for
only the
3rd year, bringing the 3 year total of funds raised to
in excess of $80,000. There were 22 teams registered
for the Walk. The top three team producers were: "A ShoreFire Thing for Nancy", "Team Todd" and "LazyLegz", which combined, raised $20,000 of the total.
Most importantly, of the funds raised by the local ALS
Chapter, 65% goes to patient services such as: Individual
Support, Home Visits Medical Equipment Loan Closet which
shares used and donated equipment for daily living needs
like communication and mobility. ALS Clinics Assistive
Technology which helps the over 75% of patients who will
lose their ability to speak to learn new ways to communicate.
Support Groups to help families and caregivers live with
ALS Respite Care Transportation for things like handicapped
accessible transit to medical appointments, support groups,
and limited social engagements. The remaining 35% is
divided 20% to research and 15% to administration services.
The ALS Advocacy Department recently helped to get the
ALS Registry Act passed in the US House of Representatives
by a vote of 411 to 3. That still leaves the Senate vote
which needs 60 of the 100 Senators voting yes to pass
the ALS Registry Act. In addition to advocacy, lectures,
newsletters, and information about ALS is made available
for the general public.
It's the grassroots support, via the walks, fundraising,
and the public awareness and involvement, that truly
drive the fight to find a cure for ALS work. Hopefully
people will volunteer their time to the local Volunteer
ALS Committee to make every year a bigger and better
year than the last. Please call Ken or Anita McLaughlin
at 410-208-9674. Become a part of the fight to provide
help to those afflicted by the terrible disease and to
find a cure for ALS.
