Thomas DeJulio, LAW ’77, who serves as general counsel for the University and is this year’s president of Kiwanis International, played a leading role in a ceremony recognizing 14 Kiwanis “Champions of Change.”

“The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing extraordinary work in their communities,” DeJulio said.

The 14 honorees, ranging in age from 11 to 85, represented every facet of Kiwanis, including elementary school Kiwanis Kids, high school Key Club members, collegiate Circle K members, and members of Aktion Club. Their service ranges from working to help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus to running a crayon recycling project.

The honorees shared their stories with White House officials and Kiwanis members from around the world, and also met legislators at a congressional reception the night before. At the ceremony, DeJulio addressed the Champions and presented commendations to Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, who is retiring after decades of service, and to Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, who served as Key Club International president in 1959-60.

DeJulio began his tenure with Kiwanis as a member of the Key Club at Mount Vernon High School, and later became charter president of the Circle K Club at Fordham. After graduating, he became a member of the Kiwanis Club of Mount Vernon, and eventually served as the group’s president. Since 1989, he has been a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fordham.

“We all volunteer a lot of time and service in Kiwanis, but we receive a lot of blessings as well,” DeJulio said.

DeJulio presents commendations to retiring senator
Richard Lugar of Indiana

DeJulio recognizes Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida

— Joanna Klimaski

Shortly after 9/11, Fordham Kiwanis got a letter from a student in a local school as part of a Christmas “grant a wish” program.

The letter was from a boy, Wilson Asitimbay, who had lost his father, Manual, in the World Trade Center attack. The boy’s wish was to have his father back.

An immigrant from Ecuador, Manual Astimbay had been employed as a cook at Windows on the World, where he had worked hard with the dream of bringing his children—including 12-year-old twins Wilson and Richard—to America.

Now, the children had arrived with help from the Red Cross, but their father was gone.

“All we wanted to do was to bring the Asitimbay family some holiday joy,” said Thomas DeJulio, (FCRH ’73, LAW ’77) New York Kiwanis International vice president and Fordham’s general counsel.

The Kiwanis members purchased toys for the family, and “adopted” them over the long term, keeping in touch as the children grew.

“Kiwanis in New York focused on the long term needs of those families, particularly their educational needs,” he added.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Fordham Kiwanis reunited with the Asitimbay family (above, front row) to present a $6,000 contribution toward funding the children’s continuing education, in memory of their father.

The twins, Richard and Wilson, are now 22; 18-year-old Wilmer is a high school senior starting college next year, and the youngest, Edwin, is entering Catholic high school this fall.

In all, some 3,000 children lost a parent on that day ten years ago.

“On the anniversary of 9/11. Kiwanians around the world re-dedicated themselves to impacting the lives of children and trying to make this a “better world” for them to live in,” he said.

–Janet Sassi