Eliminate Project

There is a lot of excitement in the Kiwanis world right now!

We have raised $50 million to eliminate MNT from the world. This means that 27.7 million mothers and their future children will be protected from that dreaded disease. And, we have done this as volunteers-using our free time, our creativity, our elbow grease, and our money to achieve this milestone. So, for the part you have played in this, give yourselves a pat on the back!

However, we still have a long road ahead of us. There are several new opportunities that I want to share with all of you. First of all, through the generosity of Vincent Stanley who left the New York District EliMiNaTe $50,000 in his will and Linda Christiano who was instrumental in arranging this bequest, we are able to offer a matching gift campaign. Mother's Day Zellers will be offered for $625, and Kiwanians may give this Zeller in honor of their mother or any other significant woman (living or deceased) in their life. The matching gift of $625 from the Stanley bequest will be added, thus saving 690 lives. What a beautiful tribute to those who gave us life and/or who nurtured us along the way.

Please note the following guidelines: This offer is limited to the first fifty matching gifts. The Zeller must be paid in full by check or credit card between April 1 and May 31 and applies to new Mother's Day Zellers only. Previous donations cannot be used for this award. There is a form on the district website, and if you cannot access it, your EliMiNaTe division coordinator, lieutenant governor or I can send you one. The matching $625 will be applied to the donor's club, so a total of $1250 will be added to the club's total giving. Talk about a win-win situation! An added benefit is that these Zellers may help some of our clubs become Model Clubs.

There is also a new multi-year giving program. Kiwanians may pledge $5,000, $10,000 $15,000 over a five year period. A gift of $5,000 over five years comes to $20 per week. Previous donations (e.g. Zellers) will be added in. Not all of us can afford this, but some of us can. Please look into your hearts and think of all those mothers and babies you will be saving. Then use the regular donation form.

For those clubs who have not given anything as yet, please consider becoming "100 Baby Club." Can your members donate a total of $180 and save 100 lives? I am sure that there is no club in our District that cannot do at least this much.

And last, but by no means least, please work on finishing your handmade baby item for our Craft Sale in July. I received many lovely items at Midwinter, but most of you will be sending your items in later. They need to be to me by June 30. Please contact me for mailing instructions: kirmse@fordham.edu.
 

Column Posted on Web Site April 20, 2014