Eliminate Project

The International Convention was held in Vancouver at the end of June, and was a wonderful time for all who attended. Most of the attention at this annual gathering of Kiwanians from around the world was given to the EliMiNaTe Project and celebrating the good work that has already been done to achieve our goal of raising the funds needed to rid the world of maternal neonatal tetanus by Kiwanis' 100th birthday celebration in 2015.
One of the most moving talks was given by John O'Leary, who suffered burns over 100 percent of his body when he was nine years old. An avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, the little boy was visited often by Jack Buck, the radio announcer whom young John heard game after game. Jack encouraged him to hold on and recover, although there was little chance that John would do so. After each visit, Jack returned home and asked himself the question, "What more can I do?" Eventually Jack's efforts paid off and John is a successful young man today, married and the father of four beautiful children.
"What more can I do?" When I heard those words, I immediately thought of our New York State motto and my personal mantra for our work for the EliMiNaTe campaign: "Excelsior -- Ever Upward, ever onward." We can't be satisfied with resting on our laurels, but must keep on striving to do more. And there is so much more that needs to be done!
As you all know, my personal goal is for each one of us to contribute something to the EliMiNaTe Project. Some clubs have not yet sent in any funds because they are waiting to raise additional money. That is laudable, but it can delay the ability of UNICEF to begin working in a particular country. They need to know what resources are available to them before they can start the process of education, publicity, and obtaining the medical supplies before they begin the injections. So please send in any money as it comes in.
The EliMiNaTe Project should not be a burden, but a chance for all of us to save lives for the small amount of $1.80 per mother. Most of us carry that much money (or more!) with us as pocket change. But these small amounts, important as they are, need to be supplemented by business and corporate donations. Can your club sit down and identify such organizations? Many times people do not contribute because they have not been asked. If each of our clubs could try to secure a gift from a local company, we would be well on our way to our goal. These corporate gifts are charitable donations because the Kiwanis International Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The requisite receipt forms are available from KI or from me.
What more can I do? What more can my club do? What more can the New York District do? The answer lies in our hearts. Let us truly be people who live "Excelsior!"
 

Column Posted on Web Site July 27, 2013