I have set aside my planned article to make an impassioned plea for the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The confirmed death toll in Haiti has reached more than 150,000 and the toll keeps rising every day.  Millions of people are sleeping in the streets, hundreds of thousands of them have lost their homes, the others are afraid to enter their badly damaged homes.

Haitian relief must become a focus of every caring individual.  Kiwanis must take the lead in “Serving the Children of the World.”  It doesn’t matter whether or not we get any credit for our contributions.  Kiwanis has never jumped into action

to gain notoriety. Kiwanians are there whenever a need must be met.

Nowhere is that need greater than in Haiti.  Nowhere will that need be more prolonged than in Haiti.  Like my starfish story, “We can’t make a difference to everyone, but we can make a serious impact on many.”

Look inside your hearts.  Do what you can as an individual, as clubs, as divisions and as a District.  Dig deep.  Give until it hurts.  I know that many of us are facing economic hardships, but our neighbors and God’s children are facing life and death struggles.

Florida Kiwanians are already working with charities to meet the growing demands of a desperate population.  We are contributing monetary donations. We are shipping hearty meals through Kids Against Hunger.  We are collecting baby formula, diapers, medical and hygienic supplies.  We are providing clean drinking water.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel.  We simply need to jump on board as one of the world leaders in serving the children of the world.  This is our call to action!  This must remain in our thoughts, hearts and deeds, long after the images leave our television screens and the print media.

We have added a place on our website for you to share the contributions of your club (click here to share).  We want your actions to inspire others.  There will be many more opportunities to promote fun in Kiwanis…this is our opportunity to spotlight our humanity for others.  We are so thankful that there are so many organizations with their feet on the ground that we can partner with.  This is not about gaining credit…This is about rebuilding a nation and providing the most basic of fundamental human needs.  The lives of tens of thousands are still hanging in the balance.  Make a Difference.

Click Here for the Caring Connection

Donna