Local Aktion Club helps disabled serve others

Jackson resident Tyler Smith has wanted to help his fellow man and community, but disabilities have limited the 25-year-old's options for service.

Now that an Aktion Club has been formed in this area, Smith and other adults with disabilities can be a part of a service organization and serve their community.

Aktion Clubs are an initiative of Kiwanis International, a global service organization with fundraising efforts that help make lives better for children. Last year, through the joint efforts of representatives of the Cape Girardeau and Jackson Kiwanis clubs and the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence, the area's first Aktion Club was formed.

Because of his learning disabilities and problems with depression, Smith has been on the receiving end of help in dealing with the challenges of life. Now, because of the Aktion Club, he can give back. And he likes the way it makes him feel.

"It makes me feel happy and proud," Smith said. "It feels good to help."

From left, Elizabeth Moyers, Becki Nation and Margie Nation work Wednesday on assembling candy bouquets for the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence during an Aktion Club meeting at SADI. (Kristin Eberts)

Smith lives with his mother Cheryl and father Kevin. Cheryl said she has noticed changes in Tyler's self-image as a result of his involvement with the Aktion Club.

"It gives him confidence in himself that he's able to do this," said Cheryl, who goes to the biweekly meetings of the club to support Tyler and helps out the club in its projects.

Kevin Smith, left, son Tyler and wife Cheryl attend an Aktion Club meeting Wednesday at SADI.

The club's service projects to date have included providing baked goods to children at a foster home in Jackson and making up boxes to send to troops serving abroad. They are assisting the Jackson Kiwanis Club with a meat sale, according to Jackson Kiwanis president Susan Jespersen, who volunteers with the Aktion Club. Jespersen said the club hopes to assist with Special Olympics events in the future.

SADI case manager Megan Estrada said the possibility of establishing a local Aktion Club goes back to a presentation done by Jackson School District representatives at a Kiwanis meeting during Disability Awareness Week.

Teaming up with the nearby Cape Girardeau club, Kiwanis representatives promoted the idea among community leaders involved in serving those with disabilities, including SADI.

Estrada, who along with Stephanie Williams of SADI serve as volunteer advisers to the Aktion Club, said the club holds meetings every other Wednesday at the SADI office at 1913 Rusmar St. in Cape Girardeau. The meetings, which last one hour, begin at 6 p.m.

From left, Elizabeth Moyers, Becki Nation and Margie Nation work on assembling Valentine candy bouquets for the SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence during an Aktion Club meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at SADI. (Kristin Eberts)

Volunteers assist the members in organizational matters and ideas, but the meetings are run by the members, Williams said.

Membership in the club has now broken into double digits, and when it reaches 15 the club can take the next step in its growth.

"We're pretty optimistic that we're getting very close to being able to charter the club," said Jespersen, who said they expect to apply for their club charter in March or April.

The Aktion Club's members have a wide range of disabilities, including both physical and mental limitations. One of the purposes of the club, according to Jespersen, is to help members to serve despite the disabilities.

"The purpose is to help [members] to serve the community, and to train them to be leaders," she said.

For more information on the club, contact the SADI office in Cape Girardeau at 651-6464.