International Foundation

If we could somehow bottle up all of the good the Kiwanis International Foundation does and inject it directly into the consciousness of prospective new club members, our membership challenges would evaporate overnight.

Why do I feel this way? If you attended the Kiwanis International convention, went to the foundation's meeting there or visited its booth in the Kiwanis World Showcase, you would understand. If a member knew and honestly felt that their efforts and the resultant money raised at a club's pancake breakfast, for example, saved lives they would join in a second. It is easy to lose sight of what good work accomplishes. I do not believe that the average member always realizes this fact: WE SAVE LIVES. Because of something as common as a pancake breakfast and donating raised money to the ELIMINATE Project, for example, children did not die. That is nothing short of amazing to me that in these common ways, we save lives.

The good work of the foundation does not stop with our worldwide service projects. Our foundation issues many grants each year for many worthwhile causes. Take for example the grant received by the Foothills Kiwanis Club of Boulder, Colorado. This club runs an "Alert Service Dogs for Kids" program for children with special needs such as diabetes or severe allergies. These children's lives can be very constrained given their needs for constant protection and monitoring. The burden is enormous, so their parents can use the help too. So, far they have trained 16 dogs who perform emergency tasks to protect the children in the homes they live in. I watched in amazement as one trained golden retriever in the program started immediately to look for his assigned child's medicine when his trainer issued one simple command - "seek." To date, these dogs, through their training and actions, have saved two children's lives. You can learn more at their website www.alertdogs4kids.org.

There were other examples on display, including adaptive tricycles, which require little effort to pedal. This unique tricycle allows the physically challenged child to ride their bike just like all the other kids on their block. Or, a robot used to provide therapy to children. The list goes on and on, as the foundation made dozens of grants supporting many worthy causes.

Now, as the foundation has stopped fundraising efforts for the Eliminate Project, what can you do? First, please fulfill any outstanding pledge to the Eliminate Project. Second, give. The Kiwanis International Foundation is now trying to build up its Children's Fund, so grants like the ones given above can continue and grow. To do so, you can donate directly to the foundation or perhaps consider purchasing a George F. Hixson award to provide recognition to one of your members, which includes a donation to the foundation.

With your help, the Kiwanis International Foundation will become an even stronger force for good in our world.

Column Posted on Web Site August 5, 2016