The Kiwanis Club of Greater Lawrence has as the goal of all its activities helping improve the lives of underprivileged children in the Greater Lawrence community. In this tradition, the Club annually honors like-minded, selfless individuals, committed to youth development with its “Humanitarian of the Year Award.” On April 30 at the Kiwanis Gala held at the Wyndham Hotel in Andover, Br. Rene D. Roy, FMS, Marist Brother and campus minister at Central Catholic High School, Lawrence was presented with the 2014 Kiwanis Humanitarian award.
Br. Roy was recognized for his 50 years of service to youth as a missionary on the Sioux Indian Reservation in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, his years of work with the poor children and families in civil-war torn Rwanda, Africa, and in the education of urban youth in New York City, Chicago and West Virginia. He has served as an advocate for children helping them obtain the best education possible in both faith development and intellectually wherever he has ministered. As foreign missions director for the Marist Brothers, Br. Roy gives presentations throughout the United States seeking support for the poor locally, nationally and internationally. His life of service is rooted in his spiritual call to serve others as a Marist Brother, as a Marist educator and as a member of Kiwanis.