Kiwanis honors Jim Mitchell with award

Kiwanis International has honored the late Jim Mitchell with the Jack Delf Distinguished Service Medal for his community service. The Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis gave the posthumous award at its annual convention last month in Vernon, British Columbia.

Mitchell, who was an active member of the Sisters Kiwanis Club, died last April of cancer.

Mitchell was recognized for serving the Sisters community in a variety of ways through his relatively short service with Kiwanis. In about a dozen years, he rose to leadership positions within the Sisters club including serving as president. Also, he held leadership positions at the district level including Lt. Governor. Mitchell was active on the Food Bank Committee, produced a Kiwanis newsletter and supported many fund-raisers.

Current Sisters Kiwanis club president Jeff McDonald remembers Mitchell for the balance he created between home and community.

“What I respected the most about Jim was his ability to accomplish things and not become overloaded — not taking family time to help others,” said McDonald.

McDonald said that quality has helped him this year serving as president of the Sisters club. McDonald said Mitchell kept things in perspective while being “one of those folks who truly served the community.”

Sisters Kiwanis members Jean and Harold O’Hara and Glenn Keeran attended the convention and accepted the award. The ceremony noted “Mitchell’s service was distinguished and lends luster to this award.”

“This is one of those awards that is pretty special,” added McDonald.

Mitchell was a freelance reporter for The Nugget and is remembered for his coverage of local news, his community activities including those involving his two daughters, his support of the arts, his beautiful photography and his love for the outdoors.

The Kiwanis International motto is “Serving the children of the world.” More information about the nonprofit organization can be found at http://www.kiwanis.org.