When it first formed in 2016, Aktion Club of Carson Valley had seven members on the roster.
Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Carson Valley with a mission “to provide adults living with disabilities an opportunity to develop initiative, leadership skills, and to serve their communities,” the local Aktion Club has since become one of the fastest growing service clubs in the area.
They currently have 34 active members and counting, and there are more than 12.000 Aktion Club members worldwide. Locally, the Dean Seeman Foundation has supported ACCV with numerous donations through the years.
This financial support helps cover expenses associated with the annual Aktion Club Leadership Development Conference and enables ACCV members to attend at no cost.
Foundation trustee Judy Keele shared that founder Dean Seeman was a lifelong Carson Valley resident who loved the ranch life, being outdoors, and taking care of birds and animals. He also cared for his family and was devoted to his younger sister, Joyce (also known as Jessie), who was born with down syndrome.
After Jessie passed away in 2005 at age 56, Seeman was determined to set up a foundation to support those living with an intellectual or developmental disability and their families. He wanted to ensure they wouldn’t have to go out of state for care.
Seeman passed away in 2008 and the foundation he envisioned was formed in 2010 with Keele and Mike Gilbert as trustees.
The Dean Seeman Foundation distributes assets to various non-profit agencies throughout Douglas County and was instrumental in the development of Jessie’s Ranch, a community-based program through Family Support Council.
Jessie’s Ranch provides “person centered planning and individualized services to adults with developmental disabilities who require their needs met in various in-home, work and community settings.
To show their gratitude to the foundation and honor the memory and legacy of Seeman and Jessie Seeman, club advisor and Kiwanis member Gary Dove said ACCV purchased bricks through the Douglas County Community Services Foundation.
The bricks are placed beneath the flagpole in front of the Douglas County Community and Senior Center and were revealed during a special Aktion Club presentation on April 1.
Following the outdoor ceremony, the gathering moved indoors for an unveiling of the “Kiwanis Aktion Club Room,” located in the southwest hallway of the DCCSC. ACCV, with support from the Seeman Foundation, has a two-year sponsorship agreement for the room, which is utilized for numerous programs and events that are open to the community.
Keele attended the event with her husband, George, a lawyer who provided legal expertise to the Seeman family over the years and throughout the establishment of the foundation. She said it was an honor to see the bricks placed and witness the reveal of the Kiwanis Aktion Club Room. And by helping the whole community, Keele said Aktion Club members help make the Carson Valley a beautiful place to live.
“You do a great service to this valley, and we are happy to support you any way we can,” she said. “Dean would be so pleased to see the work you are doing to serve others… we are thrilled to support you in your efforts.”
For information about the Dean Seeman Foundation, contact Keele at keelefamily@charter.net.
