On April 16, the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland presented “Everyday Hero” awards to the 25 members within the Kirkland Kiwanis Acktion Club for positively affecting the lives of others.

The organization defines an everyday hero as “A person or persons recognized for rendering service beyond what is ordinary or what expected and for doing so without regard for attention or receiving in return, but rather because it was the right thing to do and needed to be done.”

The Kiwanis Acktion Club is a group of adults with disabilities between the ages of 18 to 45. The club enables individuals to participate directly in community service projects; to gain leadership skills; to become more involved in the community; to give back; and to have fun.

Those presented with the “Everyday Hero” award are Nicholas Bergren; Tim Bounds; Andy Bryant; Sarah Carlile; Jeremy Carrigan; Andrew Christison; Audrey Evora; Corey Gilman; Jason Grager; Erin Keim; Karley Korshaben; Reed McGrath; Sean McKibben; Matt Moeler; Brett Neider; Jeffrey Rohrback; Kelsey Saario; Collin Schindler; Nathan Schulte; Jake Simmons; Hannah Simpson Kuhlmann; Mikayla Wolfe; Andrew Young; Becca Zions; and Cech Christine.

Club advisor Matt Gregory and Club coordinator Darcie Cailao also received “Everyday Hero” awards.

Kirkland Kiwanis Aktion Club supports ongoing community projects year-round. In the winter, club members collect groceries for the Woodinville Storehouse Food Bank. In the spring, they collect pet foods for Homeward Pet Food Bank. During summer, members fill backpacks with school supplies for junior high school students, and during the fall, they collect household items for Attain Housing.