Eliminate Project

Remember the song, "June Is Bustin' Out All Over" from the musical Carousel? That would be a good way to describe what has been happening in the EliMiNaTe Campaign in the New York District. We have some marvelous news to report.
First of all, the Mother's Day Matching Gift Zeller Program was a huge success! All 50 Zellers that were offered in this way were obtained by our members. Thus the original bequest of $50,000 from the Vincent Stanley Trust brought in another $31,250. The goodness of Mr. Stanley lives on in the 45,139 mothers and their future babies who will be protected from MNT.
The East Meadow Club, one of our largest clubs, voted to become a Bronze Level Club, pledging to raise $350 per member. That decision brought our district giving total to approximately $955,000, which means that we made our benchmark of $950,000 by June 30. Then the Hartsdale Club voted to become a Model Club. They are a small club, but their generous commitment to raise $750 per member brought us over $970,000.
Just when I thought that the good could not get any better, our Service Leadership Programs distinguished themselves again. The Bowling Green K-Kids raised $3,900 at their talent show to complete their Bronze club pledge. And they are only 8 through 10 years old! Then our District Circle K was honored for leading the Circle K world with the most money raised for EliMiNaTe -- $9,503. Congratulations, Gov. Kelly Chan and all CKI members!
And last, but by no means least, several clubs made their very first donation to EliMiNaTe. We are now over 75 percent club participation, and are eagerly awaiting word from the remaining 25 percent.
We are now so close to my goal of $1 million by the International Convention in Tokyo. By the time this column is printed, the convention will have taken place. I hope that those of you who were able to attend that convention will have heard the good news that we accomplished this and cheered so loudly that we heard you back home in the Empire State.
Also, I hope that many of you were able to take part in the Global Walk on July 17 organized by Distinguished Past Lt. Gov. Sean O'Sullivan. My thanks to Sean for coming up with such a creative idea! Those who took part demonstrated that we are an international organization. How nice for Past International President Tom DeJulio and Past first Lady Rosemary to lead the walk in Tokyo knowing that we were walking with them throughout New York.
The Craft Fair in Inlet on July 19 was another sign of our solidarity as a District. Many beautiful items were made and donated to our table there.
I won't have the final results of the Global Walk and Carefull Crafts projects, but hopefully we will have raised much needed funds and came closer together as New York Kiwanians. I'll have those totals for the next column, so stay tuned!

 

Column Posted on Web Site July 26, 2014