65
200 different projects in this community
completed by Kiwanis that nobody knows
about.” He points out that State Road 70
was completed because of Kiwanis, and
the Bradenton Area Convention Center
was started with $500,000 of seed money
from the organization. “The Boys & Girls
Club was founded by Kiwanis in this town,
and the United Way was founded by
Kiwanis in 1942. The 69th Street YMCA
and the Lakewood Ranch YMCA also
were founded by Kiwanis.”
Over the past three years, Bill has been
instrumental to a popular Kiwanis program
called Christmas in August. During this
annual event, the Kiwanis Club gives
homeless children in Manatee District
Schools a backpack ��lled with schools
supplies as well as other services,
including medical, dental, vision, and
haircuts. Bill served as the chairman of
Christmas in August in 2019. “This was our
tenth year of doing Christmas in August,
and we’ve now decided to pass the mantle
to another organization,” he explains.
Bill says the mission of Kiwanis is to
invent new programs for children, and
that’s exactly what they plan to do. “It’s
time for us to invent the next thing,” he
remarks. “We’re coming up on our 100th
anniversary in the next two years, and
there’s great debate right now as to what
that new thing is.”
For instance, Kiwanis International has
been instrumental in eradicating children’s
polio throughout the world. “That’s a lofty
goal, but that’s what we’re looking for – the
next great adventure and what we can do
for this community. A program that will
really make a difference.”
The American Dream
The primary focus of Bill’s volunteer
work is education, which he believes is
the foundation of the American Dream.
“There are so many kids who only
graduate because the school system
wants to get rid of them,” he says. “It’s
really heartbreaking to see high school
graduates who can’t read. By the time
they get to the college level, these
kids really need the American Dream
and somebody to usher them along.
That’s why I’m so involved with the SCF
Foundation, and of course Kiwanis.
Because we offer the American Dream.
With scholarship money, we can teach
these adults to read and become part of
that American Dream.”
When asked why he gives back so
generously, Bill says it’s a combination
of altruism and a desire to better our
community. “This is a great place to
live, and we want to keep it that way,” he
says. “But just think what this community
could be if we had a properly educated
workforce. There are big companies
who are dying to leave the tax states
and move to Florida. But they need a
properly educated workforce who can
read, write, and do math. If every kid in
Manatee County could read, write, and do
math, there would be no unemployment
here, and we would see economic
development here in our community.”
Last but not least, Bill says he volunteers
because it’s the right thing to do. “After
43 years of working in law enforcement,
it’s nice to give back to my community.”
Spoken like a true First Gentleman.