St. Charles Kiwanians win top awards

On Feb. 3, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce gave its most prestigious awards to St. Charles Kiwanians Darlene Riebe and Laurie Milbourn.

Riebe received the Charlemagne Award, Milbourn the St. Charles Chamber Women's Business Council L.E.A.P. Award.

The Charlemagne is the most coveted of the chamber's awards, and honors lifetime achievement and a distinguished history of service in the community. Darlene Riebe's many years of organizing community events, parades, fundraisers and helping children and the homeless eminently qualify her for the honor.

The L.E.A.P. Award (which stands for Leadership, Excellence, Achievement and Professionalism) is second in importance to the Charlemagne. In addition to exhibiting the above characteristics, the candidate must effect a positive change for women in her business or organization, and seek out opportunities to mentor other women.

The new winners join four other current Kiwanians as recipients of these awards: Tom Anderson, Terry Andrew, Dr. Vern Guynn and Betsy Penny. Penny won both awards.

It seems only natural that a service organization like Kiwanis has fostered so many community leaders. Its mission is to serve the world's children, one child at a time.