Eliminate Project

Auld Lang Syne is appropriately playing in the background as I write the last column I will be submitting for ESK. As of Dec. 31, 2015, the first phase of the EliMiNaTe Campaign came to a close, and the roles of Area Coordinator, District Coordinator (my position), Multi-Division Coordinator, and Division Coordinator are no longer needed for the next phase.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Linda and Past International President Jerry Christiano who served as Area Coordinators; our Multi-Division Coordinators, Augusta Van Duzen, Lynne Catelotti, Peter Pellittieri, and Ron Parent, and our Division Coordinators, as well as Past International President and First Lady Tom and Rosemary DeJulio, our governors and lieutenant governors. New York had a wonderful EliMiNaTe team.

What exactly did New York achieve? We raised almost $1.4 million in cash and pledges, and the convention delegates last August unanimously voted to raise the remaining money needed to reach our goal of $1,796,314 by 2020. The passing of that resolution is due to the commitment of Immediate Past Gov. Eric Paul, who is to be commended for bringing this to the floor. Our SLP clubs have been great partners with us in raising awareness and money for EliMiNate. We would not have been so successful without them.

So far 90 percent of our clubs have participated in the EliMiNaTe Campaign. This is remarkable, but there are still 10 percent who have not come aboard. This is a personal sadness for me because my goal from the beginning was that everyone would give something to help rid the world of MNT. Unfortunately, some of our clubs still have a Chamber of Commerce mentality, meaning that they will serve their local community, but not go outside of it. As members of Kiwanis International, however, we must have a larger world vision than our own local space.

But what did we really achieve? Because of the efforts of New York Kiwanians, we already have protected 774,955 women and their future babies from the scourge of MNT. When we reach our goal (hopefully before 2020), we will have saved a total of 997,952 women and their future children. That realization is staggering to the mind. The craft fair, Matching Mother’s Day Zellers, Kiwally’s pencils, murder mystery dinners, Trick or Treat Boxes, $1.80 donations and all the other fundraising we did joined with the eight major gift donors, the two $100K clubs, the Platinum Club, the other 13 Model Clubs in protecting those women and children. The world is a better place this New Year’s Day because of us.

It has been a pleasure working with you on this campaign. Now let us all take a cup of kindness and remember with joy the days of Auld Lang Syne. And let us continue to work hard to raise the money we promised at last year’s District Convention. Excelsior!
 

Column Posted on Web Site January 17, 2016