Melrose Man Named Kiwanian of the Year in Somerville

Melrose resident Frank Wright was recently named Kiwanian of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Somerville, according to a press statement.

Wright, a past president of Somerville's Kiwanis Club, initiated and led a program to provide birthday parties for homeless children in Somerville, in collaboration with the organization Birthday Wishes, including for three children in November, according to the statement. He also assisted President Isaac Machdo in initiating a program to bring second graders to the Somerville Public Library so they could learn about the Children's Room and receive their library cards, the statement adds. 

Wright, who works in Somerville, is a regular participant in the Kiwanis Reading is Fundamental Program, and visits a local elementary school classroom several times each year to read to students and distribute free books, according to the statement.   

"I'm humbled." Wright said in the statement. "Somerville Kiwanis is made up of many hard-working, selfless people who  do so much for the community, particularly children.

"I'm just proud to be associated with all of them and be able to help out in some way,"  added Wright, a Ward 3 Alderman in Melrose, in the statement.

Kiwanis is an international service organization whose mission is to change the world by serving children and the community, reads the statement. The Kiwanis Club of Somerville serves children, as well as the elderly of Somerville, through a variety of events and programs, ads the statement.

Wright shares the honor with Tony Cicciarello, who serves as a mentor to the recently created Boston University Circle K, the college level of Kiwanis International, participates in the RIF program and, when a vacancy occurred due to a relocation, stepped up and filled the position, and is fulfilling the duties as President-Elect, according to the statement. 

For more information, visit the Kiwanis Club of Somerville website.