Bowling Green K-Kids Honor Dignitaries

The K-Kids enjoyed visits from several Kiwanis dignitaries as they honored President Devon Rafanelli, distinguished immediate past president Julianne Hallett and faculty advisor Rich Santer through donations in their names to the Kiwanis International Worldwide Service Project ELIMINATE. 

The funds for these donations were raised during the K-Kids third annual talent show that was held last spring at The event raised over $2,500 which was equally divided between the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and the ELIMINATE project.

For the ELIMINATE project, Kiwanis International is partnering with UNICEF to eliminate one of the world’s most terrible diseases. Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) is a completely preventable killer that claims the life of one newborn baby every nine minutes. New mothers also fall victim to MNT.

To prevent this disease, mothers need a series of three vaccinations that cost a total of $1.80. UNICEF estimates that 129 million mothers in 39 developing countries need to be vaccinated. Kiwanis International has pledged to eliminate MNT by raising $110 million by 2015. 

Recognizing the K-Kid’s donation to ELIMINATE through the Circle K Worldwide Service Project Medal Program was New York District Circle K distinguished immediate past governor Rickie Santer who presented K-Kids president Devon Rafanelli with a diamond level medallion. Rickie explained the symbolism of the medallion by comparing the original medal that shows the countries still affected by MNT in orange to the diamond level medallion that shows all countries in white indicating the world as it will be in 2015 when the ELIMINATE project eliminates MNT from our planet.

NYD Kiwanis ELIMINATE Project coordinator sister Anne Marie Kirmse drove down from Fordham University to attend the 7:30 a.m. meeting to assist the K-Kids in naming their faculty advisor Rich Santer a Charter Walter Zeller Fellow. This newly created international fellowship recognizes donations of $1,250 or more to the ELIMINATE Project. 

“We made this donation in Mr. Santer’s name to show our appreciation for his dedication to K-Kids and his community service work as a Kiwanian,” President Devon said. 

Santer holds several service leadership positions at the state and divisional levels in kiwanis and is a past president of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club.

Also on hand for the meeting and awards presentation was Dr. Steven Perrick. Perrick took the time to encourage the K-Kids to continue their outstanding record of community service, congratulated the award recipients and pledged to support the K-Kids efforts throughout his term.