Courtesy photo Tammy Kish, left, accepts a certificate honoring her selection as an honorary member of the Kiwanis Club of Alpena from Kiwanis’ President Darby Hinkley.

Each quarter, the Kiwanis Club of Alpena strives to recognize and honor a person in the local community who it feels clearly represents the traits and ideals of membership in Kiwanis. According to Kiwanis International, such a person should have performed distinguished public service in the community. That person can then be elected by the Board of Directors to become an honorary member of Kiwanis.

As an honorary member, the person receives all rights and privileges of club membership, except the ability to vote and hold office. Honorary members do not pay dues, but do receive the subscription to the Kiwanis International official publication. Of course, that person can always opt for full membership, having been previously approved by the Board.

On Jan. 2, the club recognized the contributions of Tammy Kish to our community by inducting her into Kiwanis International and the Kiwanis Club of Alpena as an honorary member.

Operation Holiday, started by Vietnam veterans in 1991 and sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) Post 583, runs two vital programs in Alpena: Feed a Family and Toys for Kids. These community service events are now focused on a four-county area, and are successful because of the efforts of veterans to continue their service to their country.

The Feed a Family program provides families in need with a complete Thanksgiving meal, including turkey, potatoes, and all the trimmings.

Shortly after, the Toys for Kids program kicks in, helping make a joyful Christmas for children up to 17 years old who are still in high school. Serving thousands of children across four counties ( 690 families and 2425 children in 2025 alone), the program focuses on providing gifts, especially for pre-teens and teens between the ages of 11 and 17.

Operation Holiday relies entirely on community donations and volunteers, and Tammy is their long-serving fundraising chair. She organizes events throughout the year, including an annual Spring Craft and Vendor Show to support the project. She is the liaison with several other non-profits across the Alpena community to solicit donations to support the families and kids.

“Tammy is the epitome of the Kiwanis spirit…making the world a better place, one child and one community at a time,” Kiwanis said in a press release.