East Aurora Advertiser

An Active Aktion Club: Paul Sajdak, Aktion Club’s Man About Town



Elbert Hubbard is said to have claimed, “If you need something done, ask a busy man; the lazy one won’t have time.” A busy man, what a great way to describe Paul Sajdak, March’s Aktion Club member of the month because he is the busiest guy in town.

When I met with Paul at his Cazenovia Street residence, he was waiting for me at the door. And he was ready to talk. Foremost on his mind was his upcoming Aktion Club Bowling Tournament on April 26 at Mister’s Lanes (the former 11th Frame) at Main Street and Hamlin Avenue. Paul, as chairman of the event, has 40 club members and families already signed up for a fun-filled afternoon with bowling, pizza and socializing. Michele Benedict, mother of former Aktion Club president Nick Benedict, is helping him organize.

Paul Sajdak stands next to a large Kiwanis heart that hangs in the rec room at the Cazenovia House where he lives. Photo by Rick Ohler

Speaking of former presidents, Paul is an 18-year veteran of the club, who served in that role a few years back, and he truly loved it.

“As president, I ran the meetings and I planned the guest speakers. That was my favorite part.” he said proudly.

Some of those he remembered fondly were Officer Waldron of the East Aurora Police Department, who brought his K-9 patrol partner Chip; Tom Ess from the EA Fire Department, Universal Mind, Kiwanians like Barb Wheeler, the Girl Scout who performed a dance routine and Hawk Creek with their owls, porcupines and bobcats. Paul maintains a seat on the Aktion Club’s board of directors.

Paul was first in line when the idea for an Aktion Club newsletter was proposed. When you read the next edition of the Aktion Chatter, look for Paul’s byline on “Around Town” stories that let everyone know what’s happening in the community.

Paul has been an Aktion Club ambassador, participating in regional conferences with other clubs in West Seneca and Buffalo where they plan events. Does he mind speaking up at meetings like this in front of people he’s never met?

“No. Not at all. I like it.”

He’s an inspiration to his peers. Paul also has been to the annual Developmental Disabilities Day Conference in Niagara Falls. DD Day has long been a staple of the WNY developmentally disabled community, bringing together local and regional agencies, industry connected vendors and suppliers, direct support professionals and the individuals, like Paul and his Aktion Club colleagues, that these groups support. The conference is the largest of its kind in the United States and has been growing bigger and more sophisticated with every year. Paul is happy to meet and greet one and all there.

Wherever you see the Aktion Club in action, Paul Sajdak won’t be far away. A couple of weeks ago, you would have seen him cutting figure eights at the Aktion Club skating party at the rink on Riley Street. A few weeks before that, he went with a big group to sing Christmas carols at the nursing home. And in a matter of weeks, he’ll be attending another of Pastor Buddy Hubbard’s Easter services at First Presbyterian Church of East Aurora, where there will be singing, prayers, stories and skits. He’s front and center at the Kiwanis Chicken Barbecue at Hamlin Park, boxing up dinners for the takeout line. Same with the World’s Largest Fish Fry (and rib dinner). Hopefully, you took in the Aktion Club Talent Show last November when Paul led his tropically clad Cazenovia Street Singers in a rousing rendition of the Harry Belafonte classic “Day-O.”

And don’t forget Aktion Club baseball, where Paul anchors his Yankees team. And Indicator Art, where Paul and friends find a creative outlet through painting. Darn, I almost forgot flower planting in the cemetery, making crafts at the nursing home, raising money with a bake sale, donating a bench to the Boys and Girls club–Paul’s involved in all those, too.

Paul works a few days a week at Meals on Wheels, where he enjoys accompanying the drivers on their rounds and spreading a little cheer to recipients for whom Meals on Wheels might be their only contact with the outside world. The other days he is volunteering at the City Mission in Buffalo. 

Outside of Aktion Club, Paul likes to monitor his police scanner. He follows the Sabres and spends time with his sister-in-law Mary Lou. He has his share of chores to do at Cazenovia House, and he makes a mean pot of spaghetti.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Paul wanted to make sure I remembered the bowling event on April 26. “Tell [award-winning newspaper photographer] Marty Wangelin to come, too.” I’ll bet he will.

A large Kiwanis heart hangs in the rec room at Cazenovia House. On it are photos of the residents there and memories of the good works they’ve performed with their Aktion Club friends. For his photo, Paul wanted to pose next to that heart. I think it’s fitting.

This is the latest installment of a monthly Advertiser series called Aktion Club Member of the Month. The East Aurora Aktion Club, a Kiwanis-sponsored club for developmentally disabled adults, has nearly 100 members throughout the community. Each month we’ll sit down with one of those members to talk about their club and its many activities.

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