Hickory Kiwanians achieve Life Member status - Hickory Daily Record
Shown, from left, are Marvie Aaron, Steve Aaron, Scott Broome, John Speagle and Nancy Speagle.
HICKORY --
Steve Aaron and John Speagle, longtime Hickory business and civic leaders, were recently honored with Life Member status by the Kiwanis Club of Western Catawba County. Life membership is the highest recognition a Kiwanis club can bestow on a member.
Life Members are Kiwanians who perpetuate the objects and objectives of Kiwanis International, whose motto is “Serving the Children of the World.”
“These are men of integrity,” said Scott Broome, club president. “We are always watching them and learning from them. They are doers in our club and community.”
Aaron is retired from banking and financial consultation. He works with The Salvation Army in marketing. He served as the club’s president three times and as lieutenant governor. He has led many club projects and is the chief liaison for all the Kiwanis clubs in Catawba County in the effort to build Zahra’s All-Children’s Playground at Kiwanis Park in April.
He was pinned by his wife, Marvie, at the Life Member ceremony.
“This is an unexpected honor,” Aaron said. “Life is about giving; it’s not about taking.”
Speagle is retired as an officer with Piedmont Vending. He has been a key figure in Kiwanis fundraising. A two-time president of the club, Speagle has served in many civic capacities and he, too, has a longtime association with The Salvation Army and other organizations.
He was pinned by his wife, Nancy.
“This is a total surprise,” Speagle said. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Aaron and Speagle “are outstanding in service to children and others,” said Bernie Oyaas, the Western Catawba club’s longest-serving member and well-known throughout Kiwanis International. Himself a Life Member, Oyaas presented the life memberships to Aaron and Speagle.
“This is an expression of appreciation from all club members,” he said.
“Kiwanis is about coming together to improve children’s lives,” Broome said, “and these two men are the best examples of that.”
