PALM COAST — Allen Whetsell is about to get a lot busier.

The Flagler Beach resident was recently installed as governor of the Florida District of Kiwanis International during the club’s 95th annual district convention in Tampa.

The Florida District includes the Sunshine State, as well as the Provincials Islands and Grand Cayman Island.

“The governor is responsible for the growth of Kiwanis in the entire state of Florida and the Caribbean,” Whetsell said Monday. “I’ll be traveling throughout the state to see the different Kiwanis Clubs and the projects they do for the benefit of children.”

Whetsell said while the organization focuses on children, “We do a lot of projects for a lot of different things throughout the state.”

Whetsell is the first governor for the state district to come from Division 7, which includes Flagler and Volusia counties.

“There just really never has been anybody up here who expressed an interest to do it,” he said of his status as the first in the division to serve as state governor.

The theme for 2012-2013 will be “Reach for the Rainbow and Make Dreams Come True.”

Whetsell, who has been a member of Kiwanis for more than 30 years and is general manager of Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, said his main project for the year will be the “Just 1 Book” program.

“It was founded by a young girl a couple of years ago who saw a need in her community to get books back in the hands of children who did not have books,” Whetsell said.

Also at the convention, the Florida District celebrated the 25th anniversary of women being admitted for membership in Kiwanis.

Sal Passalaqua, president of the Kiwanis Club of Flagler County, also was installed as the district chair of the Governor’s Project for next year, “Just 1 Book” and a statewide “Peanut Butter and Jelly” drive. For information on either project, contact Passalaqua at 386-439-5400. All donations are kept in the local communities.

Whetsell said he is excited about the opportunity.

“I’m a firm believer that for the benefit of children there are never enough hours in the day,” he said. “My commitment to Kiwanis has always been something that has brought me great enjoyment. If there’s one child’s life that is better tomorrow than it was today, then Kiwanis is successful.”

Also at the state convention Frank Constantino, lieutenant governor for Division 7, was honored as the Lt. Governor of the Year and the division received the award as the “Most Improved Division in the Florida District.”

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