tcastonzo

Kiwanis Club of Ooltewah-Collegedale

4 days ago

Learn about what we do. Here are highlights of our Big Check Day PowerPoint.

Here is my Keynote Address:

Kiwanis is a very unique non-profit. Our focus is simply on helping youth, and we don’t care who does it or who gets the credit. We use our clout, or business acumen, our connection with the community and business leaders to raise funds for our children! It’s really odd when you think about it… We raise money so we can give it away!

But it's not just fundraising; we give our time.
We spend hundreds of hours mentoring, volunteering, and connecting with our youth. We show up for children wherever they need us most.

As you can see from the many organizations and programs we support, our mission reaches into nearly every corner of a child’s life. From helping feed thousands of food-insecure children each week… to equipping classrooms and supporting teachers…
to providing school supplies, scholarships, literacy programs, warm winter coats, mentoring, healthcare assistance, and safe shelter for vulnerable youth…

This is what it looks like when a civic club connects with its community and refuses to let children fall through the cracks.
And none of this happens because of some distant organization far away that bequeaths a faceless grant that shows up on an administrator's desk, or due to some governmental allotment of funds. It happens because local citizens decide to care.

When neighbors come together to support local nonprofits and youth services, something remarkable happens:
-- needs are actually met,
-- hope is restored,
-- and lives are changed right here at home.

Organizations like Kiwanis exist because communities need people willing to step forward and say: “We will help.” “We will serve.” “We will invest in the next generation.” And investing in children is one of the wisest things any community can do.

Every child encouraged today becomes part of the future we all share tomorrow.
-- A child who receives support in school is more likely to succeed.
-- A child who has food security can focus better in class.
-- A child who experiences kindness and mentorship and is read to is more likely to grow into an adult who gives back to others.

And one of the beautiful things about local giving is that you can see the impact.
-- You can meet the teachers being supported.
-- You can meet the children receiving help.
-- You can see the nonprofits working tirelessly behind the scenes.
-- You can watch hope grow in your own community.
There is tremendous value in that.

Our Kiwanis Club believes that no single organization can meet every need alone. That is why partnerships with multiple organizations seem to be the way to go.

The charities and youth organizations we support each serve unique and important roles:
-- feeding hungry children,
-- supporting education,
-- providing healthcare,
-- offering crisis assistance,
-- creating mentorship opportunities,
-- and helping vulnerable youth discover dignity, stability, and hope.

Together, these organizations create a safety net for children and families who need encouragement and support. AND WE ARE HONORED TO BE A SMALL PARTNER IN WHAT YOU DO.
Kiwanis' goal in this community is to help create a culture of CARING!

When people see citizens actively serving their community, generosity becomes contagious.
-- Others want to get involved.
-- Businesses step up.
-- Families participate.
-- And young people learn the importance of civic engagement and service.

That’s the kind of community I want to live and work in.
And that’s how generosity often works. It is rarely about the dollar amount or the size of the gift. It is about creating an example that others want to follow.

Every act of kindness sends a message: This is who we are. This is how we treat one another.

When enough people receive that message, generosity stops being an event and becomes a way of life.

This principle is often expressed in a simple saying: “Generosity begets generosity. Compassion inspires compassion. What we model, others multiply.”

That is why organizations like Kiwanis are so important. Every scholarship awarded, every child helped, every check presented, and every volunteer hour given does more than meet an immediate need—it demonstrates to the community what caring looks like, encouraging others to do the same.

Over time, those individual acts weave together to create a culture where helping others becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Today, I want to sincerely thank every volunteer, donor, sponsor, educator, nonprofit leader, and community partner who helps make this mission possible.

Your support matters more than you know. You are helping build a community where children are seen, valued, supported, and loved.

And to anyone considering becoming part of our Kiwanis family, I would simply say this:
-- There is a place for you.
-- You do not need special qualifications to make a difference.
-- You simply need a willing heart. ... See MoreSee Less