CDKF Celebrates 25 Years of Giving to Pediatric Trauma Centers

by Brian Bell, Vice President, Capital District Kiwanis Foundation

Your Capital District Kiwanis Foundation (CDKF) reached a major milestone this year in providing financial support to Pediatric Trauma Centers across the Capital District. For the Kiwanis year 2011/12, CDKF contributed $24,500 to seven Pediatric Trauma Centers. This marks the 25th year that CDKF has donated funds to help children with traumatic injuries. The total amount raised and contributed has now reached $575,213.

This program began in 1986/87 with a $3,500 donation to Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC. The following year, Children's Medical Center at Virginia Commonwealth University, Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore and University of Virginia Health Center in Charlottesville were added. In 1991/92, Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters in Norfolk and Community Hospital in Roanoke were added, followed by the Medical Center of Delaware. The current list of CDKF supported Pediatric Trauma Centers comprises:

• Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC
• Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, MD
• University of Virginia Health Center, Charlottesville, VA
• Children's Hospital of the Kings Daughters, Norfolk, VA
• Children's Medical Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
• Carilion Clinic Children's Hospital at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, VA
• Pediatric Trauma Unit, Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, DE

Each year, funding for these Pediatric Trauma Centers is provided by the following: 100% of your donations to Ducky Derby and Caring Corner, 50% of the $2 per member club donations, and additional contributions by clubs and individuals. Giving is the lifeblood of the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation, and all contributions are tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code.

Capital District Kiwanis Foundation was organized September 30, 1972, as an independent organization, and should not be confused with the Kiwanis International Foundation. Each of you, as a member of Capital District Kiwanis, is a member of CDKF. The governing body of CDKF consists of one Kiwanis representative/Trustee from each Division of the Capital District, the Capital District Governor, the Governor-Elect, the District Secretary-Treasurer, and the Immediate Past President of the District Foundation. Officers are elected from this body and meetings are normally held four times each year.

The primary purpose of the Foundation is to provide financial support for training and related expenses to the Capital District Key Club and CKI student organizations. Other youth services and District-wide programs and activities of youth are also supported. These are in addition to financial support to the seven Pediatric Trauma Centers identified above.

How is financial support to CDKF received? Well, in addition to the Ducky Derby, Caring Corner and $2 per member donations already mentioned, Life Membership in the District Foundation is available for $100. This is a great way to honor a Past President, for example. However, any Kiwanian can contribute $100 and become a Life Member. Memorials are accepted to honor a deceased member of a Kiwanis family for a contribution of $100. The Tablet of Honor is a means of honoring an individual by contribution of at least $1,000. Also, Honoree Contributions made to honor an organization or non-Kiwanian will be listed in the Honoree Acknowledgement Book of the Foundation. Sustaining Member contributions of $25 a year for 4 consecutive years earn the award of a Life Membership.

Finally, the Founders Society program is an endowment fund within CDKF created specifically to benefit the Sponsored Leadership Programs. For a contribution of $1,000, the donor receives the satisfaction that they are maintaining a legacy of Kiwanis support for Capital District K-Kids, Builders, Key Club and CKI. They also receive a Founder's Society Neck Medallion Ribbon, engraved shadow box display case, and lapel pin.

Wondering where that other 50% of the $2 per member campaign goes? It funds the Teenager of the Year (TOY) program. The TOY program honors an outstanding Capital District student for good grades, involvement in their community and a willingness to give of self. The student receives a cash award and a plaque, presented at the Governor's Banquet during the District Convention.

The Foundation also awards Robert H. Turner, Jr. Scholarships annually at the Capital District Key Club Convention to Key Club Members who have exemplified to the highest degree the basic principles of Key Club - caring and service in their home, school and community.

One more item, did you know that CDKF provides Grants? District Kiwanis Clubs may apply for Grants in the amount of $500 to $5,000. Grant applications are considered twice a year with cycles closing on September 10th and March 15th. Projects that relate to the purpose and mission of the District Foundation will be given top priority by the Foundation Board of Trustees.

For more information on your Capital District Kiwanis Foundation programs, just go to the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation website: http://foundation.capitaldistrictkiwanis.org