ELIMINATE Event Raises Money for Charity

The Service Leadership Clubs sponsored by the East Meadow Kiwanis Club recently held a K-Family Fundraiser at the TGIF Restaurant in Levittown. 

Members of the Bowling Green K-Kids, Clarke Builders Club, East Meadow High School Key Club, Clarke Key Club, Sacred Heart Academy Key Club and the Nassau Community College Circle K were joined by Kiwanians from East Meadow and members of K-Family clubs throughout the LISC Division. 

During the evening, 33 tables with groups as large as 12 enjoyed dinner with family and friends while TGIF donated 25 percent of each bill to Kiwanis International's new Worldwide Service Project ELIMINATE. 

The ELIMINATE Project, through a partnership between Kiwanis International and UNICEF, seeks to eliminate Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) from the 40 countries in which it remains by 2015.  At this time, MNT kills one baby every nine minutes.  The disease is completely preventable through a series of three vaccines that cost only 60 cents each.

The proceeds from the event will be donated to the ELIMINATE project through New York District Circle K Governor Rich Santer's Governor's Project. 

Through this project, Santer is encouraging K-Family clubs to thank those that support them by acknowledging individuals who go above and beyond in their service and generosity.  In addition, to thank you cards and certificates, Santer and NYCKI Governor's Project Chair Lauren Sack have created the NYCKI Governor's Worldwide Service Project Medal which acknowledges donations made to the ELIMINATE project and can be used to honor individuals or clubs.

The Bowling Green K-Kids, who initially planned the fundraiser, chose TGIF because their giving program is the most generous of the many local restaurant chains that run charity nights. 

Santer applauded TGIF's generosity saying, "While most restaurants only give 10 - 15 percent of the bill, TGIF gives $5 for every $20 spent or 25 percent!"

The final numbers calculated by TGIF equate to a donation of $450.  Adding direct contributions made by attendees bring the fundraiser's total for ELIMINATE to $615.