On June 17th, the Kings Plaza-Canarsie Kiwanis Club hosted an enthusiastic dinner at Nick’s Lobster House in Mill Basin to welcome New York District Kiwanis Governor Gordon Soderholm and First Lady Marie Soderholm. The event brought together every Brooklyn Kiwanis chapter in a strong demonstration of community and service.
Governor Soderholm, who started in Key Club in 1971, shared his dedication to growing Kiwanis membership and expanding both youth and adult service programs. Since he took office, he has chartered five new clubs and revitalized many others across the state.
First Lady Soderholm spoke about her cause, Autism Acceptance, which was inspired by her granddaughter. She urged for empathy and addressed public misconceptions about people on the spectrum. “Everyone is different. Everyone deserves dignity,” she said.
Marty Valk energized the crowd with his vision for the future. Valk is the future superintendent after Carol Ingran takes office later this year. He called for deeper engagement with young professionals and partnerships with local Chambers of Commerce to attract new members.
Both Gordon and Marie, who are lifelong educators, continue to travel the state, spreading a message of inclusion and leadership. Their visit made a significant impact on Canarsie and the Brooklyn Kiwanis community.
