District Foundation

The Kiwanis administrative year of 2011-12 is now in the books, I hope that we all made our communities a little bit better than before.

At the New York District Kiwanis Foundation, we certainly feel that we did, we served more than 640 underprivileged and challenged children and more than 75 seniors at Kamp Kiwanis. These children and seniors had a week where they experienced outdoor life, made new lifelong friendships, learned tolerance for each other and somewhere in there, their lives where changed for the better. Thanks to our Kamp staff led by our executive director, Rebecca Lopez, these children and seniors have a fun week which they will remember for a long time to come.

A lot of other things are going on at your New York District Foundation, (yes it is yours), the new Bensonhurst & Bay Ridge "Arts & Craft Shack" debuted as the newest part of the Kamp and it was a grand success. Rebecca relayed to me that it was the most used cabin this season, especially on rainy days where she was able to have more than 60 Kampers comfortably work on projects. I can't thank my home club enough for funding this building.

Thanks to the Queens West Kiwanis Foundation, we are now in the process of building a new library at Kamp. It will be located adjacent to the Arts & Crafts Shack. The new library will be a learning center with books to read, educational videos as well as fun family films for the Kampers to enjoy. On behalf of all of us at the NYDKF and all the children and seniors we serve, I would like to thank the Queens West Kiwanis Foundation and all its members for fulfilling this commitment which started with an idea from DPG Ed McGowan and brought to fruition by then foundation president, now NYD Governor-Elect, Joe Aiello.
As it happens every year, emergencies arise during the Kamp season. This year the most critical was the walk-in refrigerator that needed much attention as it is old and breaking down. Thanks once again to board member Herb Chan from the Staten Island club, we were able to repair it for the remainder of the Kamping season and we are now in the process of rebuilding it and also building a new walk-in freezer. Words are not enough to say thank you to Herb and his commitment to our Foundation and Kamp Kiwanis. This emergency among others are always unexpected costs that really put a crimp in our budget and keep me coming back to you for help.

I want to say a special thank you to Immediate Past Governor Bill Risbrook and the 2011-12 Bill's Boosters for their kind donation to Kamp Kiwanis Military Kampers Program. Bill and his board were responsible for sending more than 55 children of active military personnel to Kamp this year, my sincerest gratitude and appreciation goes out to these fine Kiwanians.

Now for us it is the slow part of the season and as I explained many times, although at this time of the year the Foundation doesn't receive many contributions, we do receive bills. Our electric, gas, insurance and payroll does not slow down, these are bills that come all year long, so I ask that you think about the Outreach Program. Every Kiwanis club has received its dues bill from Kiwanis International. Please have your secretary look in the package for a pink piece of paper which is the Outreach Program Donation application. We are asking for a minimum contribution of $3 per member. These funds are used to offset the costs of the Kamp in the slow periods. I want to thank all the clubs that donated last year and the two divisions that reached 100% contribution, the Metropolitan Division and the Suffolk East Division. There were five or six divisions that were close to 100 percent and by the time you read this they may be over the top.

We will be honoring all Lt. Governors that reached 100 percent with a plaque at the Mid-Winter Conference. I would love nothing more than to present 27 plaques that day.

Column Posted on Web Site October 30, 2012