Hot News from KI
by Kasey Jackson, Communications specialist, Kiwanis International
Kiwanis International Foundation
Open your heart to children
For the first time, Kiwanis International will match all unrestricted contributions to the Kiwanis International Foundation on a $1-for$1 basis, up to US$75,000, through the New Beginning campaign. The match will apply to contributions made now through April 30, 2010, as the foundation hopes to raise $1.5 million to support its grants and programs. The match is an opportunity to double the impact of your gift and will enable the foundation to invest more generously to help disadvantaged children and communities. The foundation helps Kiwanis fulfill its mission of serving the world's children by distributing grants to districts and clubs. To give or learn more, go online to www.kiwanis.org/foundation/challenge or call the foundation staff at (317) 217-6155.
Key Leader
Get set for Key Leader this spring
It may still feel like winter to many of us, but the sap is running in the trees. It's that time of year again. Time to start planning for Key Leader (www.key-leader.org)! Key Leader is a life-changing event that focuses on service leadership as the first, most meaningful leadership development experience. Kiwanis clubs are urged to consider sponsoring a teen (or a few) to experience one of these amazing weekends. Make plans now for the spring offerings (http://slp.kiwanis.org/KeyLeader/registration.aspx)!
Kiwanis International Foundation
Foundation grant targets children in Haiti
The Kiwanis International Foundation (http://kif.kiwanis.org) has awarded a US$10,000 grant from its Disaster Relief Fund to Sleeping Children Around the World (www.scaw.org) to provide bed kits for children in Haiti. The grant was requested by Aktion Club (www.aktionclub.org ), which adopted Sleeping Children Around the World as its service initiative about three years ago. Founded in 1970, Sleeping Children Around the World has been providing bed kits to children in need around the world, mostly in underdeveloped and developing countries. Each bed kit includes a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if needed), clothing, towel and school supplies. The foundation grant will be enough to provide about 300 bed kits to kids with the most needs in Haiti. Since partnering with Sleeping Children Around the World, Aktion Clubs have raised more than US$50,000, including matching funds from the foundation.
Worldwide Service Project
Kiwanis International seeks member comments on Worldwide Service Project proposals
As Kiwanis International searches for its next global cause, it wants to hear what members think about the three finalists: Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases; Malaria No More and the Canadian Red Cross for their joint malaria proposal; and UNICEF for its maternal and neonatal tetanus proposal. The Kiwanis International Board of Trustees selected the three finalists in January. Visit www.kiwanis.org/wsp to read summaries, view presentations and read comments about the three remaining causes. The site is available in 8 languages.
A Worldwide Service Project is a directed Kiwanis family-wide program that makes a positive difference in the world by working on behalf of children in need. Kiwanis, through a Worldwide Service Project, can identify and work to resolve or to significantly improve one area of need, benefiting children worldwide. All three of the final projects include hands-on service opportunities for Kiwanis clubs and members. Kiwanis International required hands-on service to be a component of each proposal.
In addition, the Worldwide Service Project Steering Committee, a global committee appointed by Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo, will be meeting with all three finalists to discuss their proposals. This in-depth discussion will include examining the proposed hands-on service components to ensure that they are in line with the type of service all Kiwanis family members are interested in doing. The next Worldwide Service Project will be announced in June at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, NV.
