Star Of Queens

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 8:07 PM EDT

Doris Mellina
President of the LaGuardia Kiwanis Club
East Elmhurst

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: A 19-year member of the LaGuardia Kiwanis Club, Doris Mellina was appointed to the role of President in October 2007. The group is part of the international volunteer network of Kiwanis clubs. “The whole focus is on helping children,” Mellina said. “They are dedicated to assisting one community and one child at a time.”

The LaGuardia group gives out an annual scholarship for qualified Aviation High School students to Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology, hosts a yearly fishing trip for children at St. Mary’s Healthcare System and pays for more than 20 Queens kids to attend Kamp Kiwanis in upstate New York each year. In addition, the group is currently holding a book drive for very young children to encourage parents to read to their kids.

PERSONAL: A native of Astoria, Mellina spent much of her childhood in that northwestern Queens neighborhood and in Ridgewood before her family moved out to Long Island. Now, she has four children - Doreen, Christine, George and Cheryl, and five grandchildren - Michael, 21; Christopher, 18; Devon, 16; Gregory, 14; and Emily 11. Mellina currently resides in Suffolk County.

JOB: Mellina serves as a Business Development Officer for Bethpage-based Greater New York Development Company (GNYDC). “We help small business owners and not-for-profits with low cost funding,” Mellina said.

FAVORITE MEMORY: Recently, the LaGuardia Kiwanis Club held their annual fundraiser and honored Queens Borough President Helen Marshall, a 20-year member of the group. “She [Marshall] graciously accepted being our honoree, and it was a fabulous event,” Mellina said, explaining that money raised during the event provides the funding for a full year’s worth of activities.

PROUDEST MOMENT: In her job at the GNYDC, Mellina has been able to assist businesses and groups in need through the company’s loan program.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “We are always looking for qualified member to join the club,” Mellina said. “The only criteria is a strong desire to serve.”

INSPIRATION: “There have been many wonderful [LaGuardia Kiwanis] presidents before me that have set a wonderful example,” Mellina said, adding that she also draws motivation from Kiwanis leaders she meets at events. “They are very inspiring as far as having a good deal of dedication. A lot of people are totally dedicated to making this a successful organization for helping children.”

- Christina Santucci