Parma Area Morning Kiwanis Welcomes Three New Members

President Joe Germana (right) welcomes New Members Dana Banyasz, Lee Kamps and Rich Ganim

Parma Area Morning Kiwanis is happy to announce the election of three new members to the club.

Dana Banyaszwho is employed by Edward Jones Investments as a financial advisor. He is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and Ashland University, and currently resides in Parma Heights with his fiancé Kara Lanzer. They are getting married October 29, 2011. He enjoys fishing and coaching track at Padua. Dana is eager to become more involved and believes that Kiwanis will provide valuable networking and other opportunities for serving the local community.

Rich Ganimis a realtor with Keller Williams Greater Cleveland West and the Ohio Real Estate Group, specializing in residential real estate throughout Cuyahoga County as well as parts of Medina, Lorain and Lake Counties. Rich is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and John Carroll University where he believes that giving back to the community was first instilled in him. Rich is a Cleveland Browns season ticket holder, pizza enthusiast, social media and technology junkie. He is always a student but sometimes the teacher and a lover of all things Cleveland. He is  "Cleveland's Real Estate Guy."

Lee A. Kamps  received his B.S. degree from Kent State University where he has been active in the local alumni association. He has completed seven of the ten courses toward the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation. He has taught courses in employee benefits and insurance at Cleveland State University and local community colleges. In addition, Lee has been a member of Toastmasters International where he achieved the designation of “Able Toastmaster – Silver” in 1994. Lee has been working with Medicare, Medicaid and private health insurance since he began working at the Erie County Welfare Department in January, 1973. He went into the private insurance business in 1977 with Prudential Insurance Company and within a short time had become one of the company’s top sales agents. As an independent representative, Lee is not bound to any one specific company or plan, but he can offer a plan that suits an individual person’s needs and budget. In addition, Lee is well versed in the requirements and availability of various programs for assistance with Medicare part D as well as Medicaid.

The Parma Area Morning Kiwanisis a local chapter of Kiwanis International that is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.  Our primary focus is giving an opportunity for children to learn leadership skills while providing service to their home, school and community.  For school age children we sponsor the Kiwanis K-Kids at Pleasant Valley and Green Valley Elementary Schools, the Greenbriar Builders Club and the Normandy High School Key Club.  We also sponsor a “Terrific Kids” Sundae Bar at Ridge-Brook Elementary for kids who “Bring Up Grades” and exhibit good citizenship.  Our “Young Children Priority One” initiative for pre-school children includes car seat safety and providing adult interaction through arts & craft projects with kids with disabilities in the district’s First Step program. 

The Parma AM Kiwanis meets Wednesday mornings for breakfast at 7:15 a.m. at the Greenbrier Retirement Center located at 6457 Pearl Road in Parma Heights, and has service and fundraising projects throughout the year. For more information, contact President Joe Germana via e-mail at joe@fourstarinsurance.com or call him at 440-882-2012.