Everybody wants a piece of the Aktion
MAUREEN DOLAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 7 months AGO
<p>Crystal Schubert laughs and reaches out for her award which she won Wednesday for her years of service in the community while participating with the Coeur d'Alene Kiwanis Aktion Club.</p>
<p>Tanna Thornycroft receives an award for her service since 2008 during a celebration ceremony at TESH Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>Robert McRae makes a celebratory gesture after receiving an award at the Coeur d'ALene Kiwanis Aktion Club 10th anniversary ceremony Wednesday afternoon.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - There were lots of high-fives, fist bumps and hugs Wednesday at Tesh.
During a party celebrating the 10th anniversary of Tesh's Aktion Club, part of Kiwanis International, club members were recognized for their years of service with the group.
Rita Drapeau was among a handful of the Aktion Club's 40 members who have been involved in the club since it began at Tesh, a Coeur d'Alene nonprofit that provides life and job skills training, counseling, and child development services to Kootenai County residents.
"I'm on top of the world," Drapeau said.
As a charter member of the club, Drapeau's name is among several engraved on a new plaque that will now grace a wall at Tesh.
Aktion Club is a service club for adults with disabilities. The Tesh group is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Coeur d'Alene.
Kiwanian and longtime Tesh supporter Dick Jurvelin suggested the establishment of an Aktion Club at Tesh before it received its charter on June 17, 2003.
Jurvelin told the group that when they started the club at Tesh there were just 2,882 Aktion Club members worldwide, and just 131 clubs. This year, there are 11,000 members and 500 clubs, he said.
He commended the club members for their leadership, caring and service to the community.
Jurvelin presented Pam Harris, the supported employment program manager at Tesh, with a bouquet. Harris was involved with the Aktion Club when it was chartered and she coordinates the group.
"She's the lady that really makes this thing go," Jurvelin said.
The club members cheered loudly and gave Harris a standing ovation.
Tesh CEO Russ Doumas took a turn at the podium and thanked the Aktion Club members for their service to Tesh and the community.
He asked them if they plan to once again collect more items during an upcoming food drive than the members of the regular Kiwanis Club will collect.
"I know you beat them each year," Doumas said.
He then told the club members that Tesh will help them reach their fundraising goal so they can send several delegates to the Aktion Club's national conference in September. Tesh will match the money the club members raise, he said.
In addition to collecting food for the food bank, Aktion Club members regularly perform other types of community service, often helping other area nonprofits.
Every Aktion Club member has a job, Harris said. They serve on the club's board of directors or on its community service, public relations or fundraising committees.
"I get to see all my friends and get to know people," said Melissa Elliott, president of the club.
Elliott said that as president she coordinates the club's meetings and creates the agenda.
The club promotes leadership skills among people with disabilities, Harris said.
ARTICLES BY MAUREEN DOLAN
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