K-Kids honor president, past-president & advisor

The Bowling Green K-Kids enjoyed visits from several Kiwanis dignitaries as they honored President Devon Rafanelli, immediate past-President Julianne Hallett and faculty advisor Rich Santer with donations in their names to the Kiwanis International’s worldwide service project, Eliminate.

The funds for the donations were raised during the K-Kids 3rd annual talent show that was held last spring at W.T. Clarke High School. The event raised more than $2,500, which was equally divided between the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Eliminate.

For the Eliminate project, Kiwanis International is partnering with UNICEF to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus, MNT. The preventable disease claims the life of one newborn every nine minutes and new mothers are also susceptible.

UNICEF estimates that 129 million mothers in 39 developing countries need to be vaccinated and Kiwanis International has pledged to help eliminate MNT by raising $110 million for vaccinations by 2015.

New York District Kiwanis Eliminate coordinator Sister Anne Marie Kirmse also attended the meeting to assist the K-Kids in naming faculty advisor Santer as a Charter Walter Zeller Fellow, which recognizes donations to the project exceeding $1,250.

“We made this donation in Mr. Santer’s name to show our appreciation for his dedication to K-Kids and his community service work as a Kiwanian,” said President Rafanelli. Santer holds several service leadership positions at the state and divisional level in Kiwanis and is past-president of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club.

Also at the presentation was Long Island South Central Division Lt. Governor Dr. Steven Perrick. Perrick encouraged the K-Kids to continue their outstanding record of community service, congratulated the award recipients and pledged to support the K-Kids efforts throughout his term.

Santer also presented Rafanelli and Hallett with diamond level medallions for their commitment to the K-family and involvement in the Eliminate project.

The awards were followed by a discussion about the club’s future plans to support Eliminate, including a trick or treat for UNICEF.