2008-2009 Kiwanis Club of Bensalem Kiwanian of the Year 2008-2009 Pennsylvania District Division 21 Kiwanian of the Year Caroline Williams
Caroline possesses a passion for humanity and for the health and welfare of the community. She has served for many years not only Kiwanis but many other community and social organizations. Her pleasure comes from giving of herself and quietly watching the results of her work. Caroline has devoted herself to a career in health education and has helped countless individuals in health related matters.
Caroline makes decisions based upon how her decisions and actions will affect the people who may be impacted by what she does. She is deliberate and always makes sure the positive will outweigh the negative. Caroline strives to be the utmost professional in everything she undertakes and gently encourages others to do the same. Caroline is a servant leader who always gives everything that she has to the task that she undertakes.
It is a privilege to be friends with Caroline. She is everything one would hope for in a friend. She is there when somebody needs her and she is always there when the club needs her. Caroline strives to promote an atmosphere of friendship and fellowship in our club. She works very hard to make our community better, and she does this because she wants a better community. She does not serve for self-glory, she is very content when the greater good is served.
Our club enjoys a prestigious standing in our community. We are successful because our work integrates the community as a whole. Our whole club is actively engaged in maintaining and increasing our goodwill and Caroline’s spirit and charisma keeps all of us focused on this critical precept.
Caroline is a peace lover and a peace maker. Although she is not intimidated by confrontation, she aspires to make the best of even a bad situation. Anytime a group of people are together there is going to be conflict. Managing the conflicts and maintaining friendships are critical to the success of any club. This is a major priority in Caroline’s life. Her presence at Club and Board meetings is refreshing and a major asset to our club.
Caroline is a servant leader. She has chaired many committees over the years and has served as Vice-President, President-Elect and now President. Caroline co-chairs one of our major fundraisers “Girls Night Out” which has been successful, fun, and attract almost 100 women in our community. “Girls Night Out” helps to fund our scholarship program which awarded 3 scholarships and 3 laptop computers to needy, community-minded college bound seniors last year. Caroline is a team-member in our largest fundraiser “Fly Old Glory” and she is responsible to see that the flags in her assigned district are distributed and taken down 4 times per year. Caroline was a team member for our 1st Annual Univest Financial 5K run where she
helped direct runners during the race. We have also partnered with Hooters Restaurant for Car and Bike shows and she participated in working those events as well.
It is rare that a Kiwanis event occurs and Caroline is not there. Caroline also co-chairs our Imagination Land Playground events. Caroline was on our scholarship committee, helped sort coats during our annual coat drive, participated in our Salvation Army bell ringing, and worked on our stocking program. Caroline is also the Treasurer on the Townships Drug and Alcohol Board, and is a former member of Building a Better Bensalem Together. Caroline also has several professional affiliations and works contractually as a health educator. With all of this going on she makes Kiwanis her top priority.
Every year when it is time for recognition, Caroline has come in second place too many times to count. Her motives are truly altruistic and she does not seek recognition. Caroline is the heart and soul of our club. It is truly a pleasure to see her receive recognition long due.
