LAKEPORT – The Lakeport Kiwanis Club conducted a unique ceremony this past Saturday at the Yacht Club in Lakeport.

The ceremony was the formation of an Aktion Club (yes, it's spelled correctly).

An Aktion Club is a sponsored group of adults living with disabilities. This club enables individual members to give back to their community, just as the Kiwanis of Lakeport does, and to develop initiative and leadership skills.

This is the first such club in Lake County. The sponsoring agency for this Aktion Club is People Services Inc.
 
On Saturday, the Kiwanis Lt. Governor of Division 32, Richard Fuller of Windsor, conducted the ceremony and encouraged the new members to work together to create an active, positive, and fun fulled group of civic minded citizens.

He then installed the officers, with Kenneth Martinez accepting the responsibility of president. Brandy Welch accepted the role of secretary and they have called their first meeting in mid October at the People Services offices on Lakeshore Boulevard. The specific date and time will be announced.
 
Following the ceremony, visiting Kiwanians from Division 32 with clubs in Cloverdale, Windsor, Ukiah, Santa Rosa, Willits and others joined in celebration and shared in a special cake prepared for the occasion by Rose Pischke, wife of Lakeport Kiwanian Arlin Pischke.
 
The Lakeport Kiwanis pride themselves in their community service projects and anticipate the Aktion Club will help out.

Three projects that are currently under way are, first, helping the Soper-Reese Community Theatre plant and landscape their new garden area on the south side of their newly remodeled building. The second project is to help People Services on Lakeshore Boulevard spruce up their bathrooms.

The third project is to conduct the 30th annual Halloween party at the Clear Lake High School gymnasium on Saturday, Oct. 31. The public is welcome to the party, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

More than 1,000 children and families are expected to share in the fun, games and costume contests at that popular event.

For questions about the community services provided by the Lakeport Kiwanis or to assist in upcoming projects, contact newly installed Lakeport Kiwanis president Wally Cox Jr. at his office at AAA, 707-263-5914.
 
Eric Wheaton is immediate past president of the Lakeport Kiwanis Club.