Longboater who rebuilt Kiwanis membership hands over reins

Three-year Kiwanis Club President Michael Garey, who played a pivotal role in forging new interest in the group, passed the title to Danielle Gladding.

By Dana Kampa
| 8:30 a.m. October 1, 2025

Outgoing Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key president Michael Garey passes the gavel to Danielle Gladding at a Sept. 25 meeting at his restaurant, the Lazy Lobster.

Longboat Key
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Michael Garey still vividly recalls sitting around a table with the few remaining members of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key. The question they debated wasn't if they would have to disband, but how they could go about it.

It was a close shave, but those members made a final push to generate sufficient interest in the community service-oriented group to keep it running. Belief in the club's future began to spark, and over the years, the ember burst into a now-thriving group that hosts one of the biggest events of the year on the island, the Lawn Party, and raises significant funds for groups like the Children's Guardian Fund.

The club anticipated a membership of more than 30 to be confirmed by the end of the month.

Garey, who is also the owner of the Lazy Lobster, played an essential role in reviving the group, and fellow members saluted his three years of presidency on Sept. 25 at the restaurant before he passed the title to Danielle Gladding. It was a moment of sorrow in bidding farewell to a title he's held for years, but one also of excitement as he welcomed the new board.

"It's been a joy," Garey said. "I'm grateful for every member of this wonderful organization."

From left, Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key past president Michael Garey, treasurer Jeffrey McKee, president Danielle Gladding, secretary Svetlana Ivashchenko and vice president Chris Sachs.

Many Longboaters will recognize Gladding from her role as a broker with Coldwell Banker Realty. But she holds many other titles in the community, including as a board member with Save Our Seabirds and the State College of Florida.

She is no stranger to getting involved in community events. Earlier this year, she modeled in the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church fashion show, benefiting wildlife conservation in the Everglades. She also volunteered flipping stacks at the club's beloved pancake breakfast in April.

Phyllis Black, Alison Kanter, Danielle Gladding and Bill Totten keep the hungry crowd fed. — Phyllis Black, Alison Kanter, Danielle Gladding and Bill Totten keep the hungry crowd fed at the Pancake Breakfast.

Gladding officially joined the club at the beginning of the year. She looks forward to continuing Garey's efforts to build membership and to extending the club's reach in the wider community.

"I want to take the momentum he built and keep that up," she said. "I'm very excited to be part of a club that is so civic-minded."

Guest speaker Kiwanis Division 17 Lieutenant Governor Shawna Smith updated Longboat members on district-wide affairs including the race for vice governor between David Roth and Caroll Neita.

Members also inducted Jeffrey McKee as the new treasurer and swore in Chris Sachs to continue as vice president and Svetlana Ivashchenko to continue as secretary.

Kiwanians are already busy lining up restaurants and sponsors for the Lawn Party on Dec. 6, as well as confirming details of their next pancake breakfast fundraiser coming in November.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.