09/05/2023
Kiwanis - The Mission:
I would like to inspire you today to renew your commitment to create a safe an nurturing world for children everywhere .
Despite the challenge we face to meet their needs with limited time and resources, we must press on .
The day we became Kiwanians our lives and the destiny of today’s children were intertwined. Let us recognize the profound responsibility we bear towards these children .
We must strive to mold the world they inherit, to inspire them to dream without fear, and to fuel their unyielding belief that their voices matter.
This task requires more than just words. It demands action.
It demands that we create places for our children where their minds can flourish, where creativity can run wild, and where their dreams can be nurtured to fruition.
More than ever I believe we must offer greater support to our Aktion, K-Kids, Builders & Key Clubs as well as our Circle K Chapters, as they contain the future leaders of this organization.
We must be the staunch advocates who fight for inclusive education. Education not confined to the classroom but woven into the tapestry of their lives,
enabling them to discover their passions, sharpen their skills, and become the architects of their own destinies.
In 2005 after Hurricane Katrina decimated Louisiana & Mississippi. While Watching on TV I felt called to go and help, so despite the fact I was still recovering from a car accident, I joined my church mission team to help these victims rebuild their homes and their lives. But truthfully I was the one who was rebuilt and renewed.
Tens of thousands of people came to these church affiliated camps, and what I learned was it didn’t matter where you came from, what you did for a living or how old you were, people want to be part of something bigger than themselves. They want to make a difference & Kiwanis makes a difference.
So While I was down in Louisiana I heard a legend, apparently days after the hurricane struck a young girl was seen walking on a beach on a very hot day picking up starfish and throwing them back into the water. There were thousands of starfish for what seemed like miles on that beach. A passerby said to her, ‘you know you can’t save them all.’ To which she replied,’ I know …but I can save this one. ‘ If you have watched ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at Christmastime you know the message is that even one life can make all the difference. We can’t save every child but those that we can save from poverty, from illness and from violence can change the World.
It is our duty to help create an environment where children can thrive, where they can grow up safe, loved, and supported, regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances.
Let us work towards an end to child trafficking and teenage su***de. I know several clubs are already involved in this and I know that its a big task.
We must confront the injustices faced by our children head-on, dismantling the barriers that restrict their progress. As Dr King once said, ‘injustice anywhere can lead to injustice everywhere.’ Let us dismantle the walls of discrimination, prejudice, poverty and oppression , that lead to childhood exploitation.
Remember, the impact we have on a child's life can ripple through the generations. Our actions today can serve as the blueprint for a better tomorrow..So, let us rise above our comfort zones and become beacons of hope. Let us lend a helping hand to those who need it, mentor and guide the children in our communities , and advocate for their rights with unyielding passion and unwavering commitment. For in our hands may lie the dreams of the next generation, the ambitions that will shape our world well into this century. Let us march forward, with love in our hearts, determination in our souls, and the belief that every child deserves an equal chance to flourish.
Together, we can help create a society where our children can walk proudly, knowing that their worth is cherished, their contributions are valued, and they have the power to reshape the world.Let us shoulder this profound responsibility and carry forward the torch , lighting the way for generations to come.
There are few organizations like Kiwanis who have answered this call for over 100 years. Let us all work together to make sure it is still there for children in 100 more.
