Golden K members host annual picnic | News, Sports, Jobs

GOLDEN K members enjoy an outdoor lunch at City Park during the club's annual picnic on Monday.

By JOAN JOUPPI

For the Daily News

KINGSFORD – On Monday, members of Golden K celebrated decades of philanthropic service and countless hours of convivial entertainment and community support with their annual picnic in City Park.

The members came together to sing an old song and reminisce about the good life here in UP. It was one of those perfect days that we come to appreciate in the north of the country.

The Golden K began as a branch of Kiwanis International. Around 2004, The Golden K split from the international organization to specialize in events and activities related to the senior community.

In Spanish, humanity is divided into three groups. The older group is called La Tecera Edad or The Third Age. It is defined in Wikipedia as “A phase of life in which a person reflects on what he has achieved in his life and on the opportunities he has missed or simply postponed.” There is no more delay for this dynamic group of third age beings, who are using their wisdom, energy and talents to inform and support the community around them.

Through donations, membership dues and fundraising, the Golden K does a variety of philanthropic work. Their main fundraiser is the peanut sale that you'll see in front of partnering stores around town. Look for this event on the last weekend of August.

The Golden K partners with RSVP through the Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency. Volunteer hours given individually or through the organization support DICSA's work in providing meals, transportation and other services.

Golden K awards monetary donations to organizations. These organizations present their programs to the group and a board of directors determines the funds. Current awardees include The Cancer Closet, Bay Cliff, Caring House and St. Vincent de Paul, to name a few. The group also awards scholarships to local students. There is a scholarship committee that works with the Dickinson Area Community Foundation to assist non-traditional students.

The Golden K sponsors three events each year for children with special needs. With food, music and games, these events are as much fun to organize as they are to participate in. Local schools bus children and caregivers in for a fun time at Christmas, Valentine's Day and during the summer.

Another fun event sponsored by Golden K is bingo at local senior living facilities. Winners are paid in quarters, but the real prize is community fun.

No matter what stage of life you are in, remember to take time to enjoy this beautiful area and community. Think about how each of us can make a difference and help one another.

If you would like to learn more about the Golden K, come to the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsford on Mondays at 10 a.m. Each week there is a community speaker and we share coffee, doughnuts and a welcome song. On Monday the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet presents a short program.