The Kiwanis Family Unity Project AKA The Eliminate Project
If you developed a recipe to cure cancer right now, what’s the next step you’d take to save as many people as you can?
Cancer causes suffering, excruciating pain, and claims the lives of many who have yet to live life to the fullest. In some parts of the world, maternal neonatal tetanus is just as deadly a disease. The difference? The preventative cure for tetanus is found. There don’t have to be any more victims of tetanus, and the recipe to help mothers and their children cheat death is $1.80 worth of vaccines.
The Eliminate Project is a global campaign to save as many people as we can through these inexpensive vaccinations. The best part? This is no ongoing crusade - with $110 million dollars, everyone is protected. Since the campaign began, the partnership between UNICEF and the Kiwanis Family has eradicated tetanus in 31 of 59 MNT stricken countries.
If you’ve ever been in the Kiwanis family, you are a member of this movement. But we all know that being a member, and contributing as a member are two completely different things. Clubs around the world are saving more and more lives with every $1.80 donated. We’ve been challenged to set goals and save as many people as we can, so the only question is – have you?
Putting the World in Perspective:
Circle K International Stats
· CKI Fundraising total as of 8/26/13: $155,154.54 ($11.27 Per-Member Avg.)
Since The Eliminate Project became our District Fundraising Initiative in 2011, we raised $30,201.02, saving 16,778 mothers and their babies:
· 2011 – 2012: $9,974.58 ($4.36 Per-Member Avg.)
· 2012 – 2013: $20,226.44 ($7.89 Per-Member Avg.)
So what should our clubs aim for? We should aim to be above average! Need a sample target? A good number is $12.60 per member = 7 Lives saved. That’s higher than the international per-member average, and would total above $30,000 within our district next year. Record-breaking to say the least.
Showcasing the Strength of the Kiwanis Family:
Just because some of these programs are signature of other branches doesn’t mean we can’t involve ourselves! These programs present opportune times to show support for other K-Fam branches. You could even collaborate on a joint project to inspire young service leaders, while helping eliminate tetanus in the process.
· Global Service Society – Earn rewards, and “level up” your club by contributing to the Eliminate Project
· Show Your Love, Save a Life – Valentine’s Themed, Eliminate Project fundraising day
· Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF – Halloween Themed, Eliminate Project fundraising day.
· Eliminate Week – Raise funds and awareness for the Eliminate Project for a week in May.
· There’s even more ways to help – you just have to be creative.
Don’t forget to share your success!
o Submit to the Eliminate Blog & Get Your Club Recognized: http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/theELIMINATEproject/blogs/Shareyourstory.aspx
o Learn all about the Kiwanis Family Eliminate fundraising programs and Recognition System: http://sites.kiwanis.org/Kiwanis/en/theELIMINATEproject/SLP.aspx
Right now, there is nothing more signature of the Kiwanis Family than the Eliminate Project. The branches may support different causes, but this is one that unites us all. So bring people together, network, collaborate, and serve under this unifying campaign, while it’s still a cause! Want ideas or need help? Contact district and international officers, and they will have your back. It all begins when you take responsibility for the success of the Eliminate Project, because it wouldn’t be a movement without you.
When MNT is eliminated, don’t you want to say, “I helped eliminate tetanus worldwide,” or “I saved the lives of a duodecillion moms and kids?” OK, maybe not that many, but still – the hopes and dreams of a couple future kids are riding on your part in this campaign.
You can do it! Unite the Family. The kids are counting on you.
