Eliminate Project

Happy New Kiwanis Year! And it is a very happy beginning to the 2015-16 year for The EliMiNaTe Project.
We have recently received word that Cambodia and India have eliminated MNT, bringing the number of countries that have eliminated MNT to 38, with only 21 still remaining. This amazing success is due to the hard work and dedication of Kiwanians all over the world. In August the amount of money raised reached $100 million!
Here in New York, we have many reasons to rejoice. Recently, the Chinatown Club completed its $100K pledge, and the East Meadow Club completed its Bronze Club pledge. Over the summer, the East Yonkers Club pledged to become a Model Club. To date, but not including some of the money raised at the District Convention in August, New York has raised over $1.3 million for EliMiNaTe. The figure is $1,320,337.73 to be exact, and that translates into 733,521 mothers and their future babies who have been protected from MNT. To achieve these wonderful results, we have had the participation of 88 percent of our clubs.
However, 88 percent is not 100 percent. While the 88 percent of clubs can rightly rejoice in their part in this endeavor, there is still 12 percent of our clubs that have not taken part. It is my fervent hope that these clubs will be inspired to donate something -- any amount -- to EliMiNaTe before the end of the calendar year. I am sure that no club and no member wants to left out of New York's success story, wishing that they would have done something. It's not too late for these clubs to get on the bandwagon.
Some things soon will be too late. Since the Centennial Award was designed to commemorate Kiwanis' 100th birthday, it will no longer be available after December 31. After that date, the Walter Zeller Award will be available only to those clubs which have made a $100K, Model, Silver, or Bronze pledge. So if you are thinking of obtaining one of these awards, it is time to act! Many of you also consider donations at the end of the year for tax purposes, so seize the opportunity.
I have saved the best until last. At our District Convention, the delegates unanimously approved a resolution to pledge to complete our $1,796,314 pledge within five years. So with all the good news we have today, we cannot rest on our laurels. We have pledged to raise the remaining $475,977.00 by August 15, 2020.
I have used many images over the years to describe The EliMiNaTe Project. Let us now think of it as a race, and we are coming up to the home stretch. This is not the time to fall back or slow down. On the sidelines are the mothers and children we have protected and saved, and they are cheering loudly for us to reach the finish line. May the sounds of their gratitude resound in our hearts and encourage us to keep on going to the end. Excelsior!
 

Column Posted on Web Site October 25, 2015