Phil Niekro receives Kiwanis Youth Service Award

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville Kiwanis Club presented its highest honor Tuesday night to baseball Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.

The Kiwanis Club inducted Niekro into their service Hall of Fame with the Youth Service Award at its 83rd annual awards banquet at the Chattahoochee Country Club.

Niekro was recognized for his support of the Edmondson Telford Center for Children and the Field of Dreams athletic complex for physically challenged children.

His charity golf tournament, started shortly after his retirement to Flowery Branch from major league baseball, has raised more than $650,000.

Niekro is the honorary chairman of the fund raising effort to support construction at the Field of Dreams facility in Alberta Park, with the goal to open the field by this summer.

"I've had my days in the sun with the Braves," Niekro told his Kiwanis audience.

"My commitment now is to get that new Children's center up and get that baseball center up where handicapped children can play because they've never had that opportunity. I'm looking forward to opening days of both of those."

Niekro also received a legislative resolution honoring and recognizing him for his service to youth, presented by State Sen. Lee Hawkins and State Rep. Carl Rogers.