Took an early morning run before a full day of activities and classes
for the MO-ARK Kiwanis annual convention being held at the Ramada Oasis in
Springfield MO. Between the fog and humidity, my glasses were sweating, my pits
were sweating, my phone was sweating.
Anyway, if you are a runner traveling thru Springfield you might want to
stay somewhere other than the hotel strip on I-44 and North Glenstone Ave.
Narrow side streets without sidewalks, traffic ways without walkways, unmarked
dead-ends, and heavy traffic pretty much limits you to Glenstone. Three miles
south and back from I-44 means breathing constant fumes from often way-too-close
traffic as the city awakens and begins the workday. At 6:00-8:00 in the
morning, runners need to watch for commuters on cell phones swinging into
fast-food places and gas stations, not expecting to encounter anyone in their
path.
A community service organization that will celebrate 100 years in
existence in 2015, Kiwanis has embarked on a $110,000,000 fundraising campaign
to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus.
To save a child and protect a woman from tetanus costs $1.80 USD.
Called the Eliminate Project, members of Kiwanis Clubs across the world
are engaged in some very creative and fun ways to raise the funds. From “Fun
Runs” to selling hot dogs at county fairs, to silent auctions, to balloon rides…
local groups are taking the challenge in addition to the many local
service events, projects and programs they continually support. (My own club in
Independence MO annually supports over twenty programs for local kids in
working with the school district, Boys and Girls, Club, CAPA, Hope House, etc.)
So, my next couple of days is with a small crazy group of people who
truly believe that they can make a difference in our world. Because they do!
Ten years ago Iodine deficiency disorders worldwide were virtually
eliminated. Because Kiwanis partnered with UNICEF in working in over 130
countries to make it happen.
I think they will overachieve their goals this time. 5400 members in
just over 200 clubs in Missouri and Arkansas have already raised over $1,000,000.
Not just talking about problems. Not just solving problems. But eliminating
problems. So you and I, and our neighbors around the global can live
healthier, fuller lives.
