Tampa Bay Thunder and the Kiwanis Kavaliers have joined forces to create what members of both organizations say will be a full 135-member division I DCI corps.

"It's more exciting than you can imagine," said Jim Newman, long-time Thunder director. Newman said he and Kiwanis Director Doug Darwin discussed the merger back in September of 2001. Nothing happened at that point, but things recently changed for Newman when he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor. The pronosis is good for a full recovery, but the ordeal has zapped his time, energy and resources.

"It was one of the factors, but certainly not the only factor in the merger," Newman said. "The bottom line is this part of Florida can't support 135 kids on tour for 30 days."

The group will compete under the Kiwanis Kavaliers name and share resources. Newman said they'll use the Kiwanis buses -- the Kavaliers have a sponsoring company in Kitchener, ONT -- and rehearse in their home towns throughout the winter.

Newman said the corps are considering holding a Memorial Day camp in Nashville, TN, but that is only in the planning stages and might not happen. Regardless, the corps plan to merge their membership in Florida in early June.

"We've seen our membership rise, but our infrastructure hasn't," Newman said, referring to Thunder. "(Kiwanis) has the infrastructure, they just don't have the kids.

"The kids are excited. I think we're going to have a great experience and a wonderful summer..."