Raising US$110 million to save or protect more than 61 million mothers and their future newborns from tetanus will take the collaboration of the entire Kiwanis family. All across the country Kiwanis clubs are partnering with their SLP clubs to make this a reality. One such project happened in Florida.
by Lt. Governor Margaret Ledea, Division 19, Florida District of Key Club International and Lt. Governor Melissa Horadam, Division 22, Florida District of Key Club International
Numerous projects have already taken place with the funds benefiting The Eliminate Project: car washes, bake sales, school dances - you name it! Recently, the Kiwanis and Key Clubs from Collier and Lee County joined forces at the World Sand Sculpting Championships.
This 11-day event took place in November at Fort Myers Beach, Florida. The championship event attracted 24 of the most talented sand sculptors from around the world to compete against one another and astonish spectators with displays of their enormous talent. Attendees enjoyed fantastic food, a diverse array of vendors, performances by gifted artists, recreational kid areas and, of course, everything a beautiful Florida beach and a turquoise ocean can offer.
Volunteers also raised money for The Eliminate Project. The 23 schools involved and their supporting Kiwanis clubs worked together manning ticket booths, passing out flyers and much more. A total of 1,874 hours of volunteer labor were logged over the 11-day event. Through these efforts, a check for US$14,000 for The Eliminate Project was presented to the Kiwanis International Foundation on behalf of all Kiwanis clubs and Key Clubs that participated.
None of this would have been possible without our project chairman and Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor and The Eliminate Project Multi-Division Coordinator Steve LeBlanc, who put in countless hours to make it all a reality. In addition, Kiwanis Lieutenant Governor Bruce Boyd played a considerable role in helping Mr. LeBlanc organize this “first of its kind” joint-divisional venture. This single project will hopefully inspire many more like it, uniting volunteers and motivating change, to eliminate this truly monstrous disease from the face of the Earth.