Queens Gazette

Local Express

Anthony J. Pappas



 

 

New York District of Kiwanis, Queens West Division Lt. Governor Anthony J. Pappas is a born and bred, second-generation Greek American Astorian. The son of James and Julia Pappas started his education at PS 17. His mother was heavily involved in the community and is one of the founders of Athens Square.

“My mother is the reason I give back to my community,” says Anthony. “You could say service runs in my blood. I found Kiwanis in college. Circle K, which is the college version of Kiwanis, was instrumental in shaping my ideas of service, and how I met my wife. After graduating college, my wife and I eventually looked up the Astoria/LIC Kiwanis Club. When I met the members, it turned out that many of them knew my mother, who was a member prior to her passing. That really convinced me to join the club and get more involved. I feel like this was a great opportunity to pay it forward.

In my eight years as amember, I have started a Kids club (elementary school version) at PS 17, a Key Club (high school version) at the Academy of American Studies, and rechartered the Circle K at Hunter College, all of which I serve as Kiwanis Advisor for. This truly brings things full circle, being able to give back and work with two of my former schools.” Anthony also started a Community Service Scholarship in his mother’s name, which, with the help of the Astoria/ LIC club, awards local high school students who excel in community service. He also helped charter the new East River Kiwanis club in 2014, where he and his wife are members, and he is a past president.

 

 

Astoria/ LIC Kiwanis presented Pappas with the Arthur Cole Memorial award for a person who best exemplifies the meaning of Kiwanis.

For more information on the local Kiwanis Clubs, check out their Facebook pages for Astoria/LIC Kiwanis and East River Kiwanis. And for the Queens West Division, visit www.Queenswestkiwanis.org or contact him at anthonyscifi@hotmail.com 917-376-7802.

QG: What is your role in the Kiwanis?

AP: As lieutenant governor, I serve to guide and advise the 17 clubs that are in Western Queens. I represent the district board, and specifically the district governor, to the clubs and their communities. As the leader of the division, I am tasked with running trainings, officer installations and division council meetings, as well as facilitating communication between the clubs. It’s an exciting position and an honor to do so as only the second one from the Astoria/LIC area in the last 40 years.

QG: What are your goals for the new year?

AP: I would like to strengthen the smaller clubs in the area, as well as possibly build a new one. My goal is also to get the clubs to try doing one thing differently, as well as get everyone to increase our hands-on service.

QG: What are your favorite places to eat in Astoria?

AP: Some of the places I really enjoy are: Taverna Kyclades, Christos Steak House, Rizzo’s Pizza, Neptune Diner, Gyroworld, Opa Souvlaki and Chip NYC!

QG: Share with us some of the wisdom that you learned from your mother and father.

AP: Well, my father was a fireman for many years out of Ladder 8 in Manhattan (the Ghostbusters’ house) and my mother was Julia Pappas. She was a school board president, Community Board 1 member and parents association president so I learned from both of them the value of putting others’ needs ahead of your own and giving back to the community. Education was very important to my mother. I learned to pay it forward and the value of giving back to others. As part of that, I started a community service scholarship in her name and a Facebook page, in memory of Julia Pappas, as well.

QG: How many Kiwanis events do you attend on a monthly basis?

AP: It varies from month to month. October through December have traditionally been busier months than usual be- cause the Kiwanis Year begins on October 1, so many of the events during the first three months are club officer installations. All clubs traditionally hold special installation meetings to officially install the new club officers for the year. Personally, I enjoy attending club events. I get to socialize with different club members. Some of the events I have attended over the last couple of months included pancake breakfasts, food drives, conferences, Halloween parades and Christmas tree lightings.

QG: What does Kiwanis do with all of the funds they collect?

AP: Each Kiwanis club does its own projects and fundraisers, therefore, funds raised go to various local organizations. Kiwanis International and the New York District Kiwanis have certain areas of focus as well, such as Project Eliminate, which is providing vaccinations for Maternal Neonatal Tetanus (MNT), Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center (KPTC), Kiwanis Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation, and The Kiwanis District Foundation which runs Kamp Kiwanis up in Taberg, NY, a camp for underprivileged children.

QG: How has Astoria changed over the years?

AP: Astoria has been growing at a tremendous rate. The neighborhood has definitely changed from when I was a child. I feel it has become less of a community where everyone knew each other to more of a commuter neighborhood. As a lifelong resident, I have seen the area welcome in many more cultures and ethnicities than ever before, and buildings rising to heights that were unheard-of. As a consequence, many of our old-time mom and pop businesses have closed, and I see lots of businesses struggling to survive. Many stores are vacant and some change names overnight. I am concerned with all of the huge buildings coming into the area, with no additional resources being brought in. I am afraid that the average person is being priced out of the neighborhood.

This column was originated in July, 2013 by Nicollette Barsamian.


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