Dear Jaroslaw,
Kids need Kiwanis. Without Kiwanis, kids in New York wouldn’t have art supplies at summer camp; kids in California wouldn’t have bike helmets; kids in Missouri wouldn’t have a safe playground. Without Kiwanis, children with Down syndrome in Malaysia would have no place to learn life skills; children in Madagascar would be in the landfill fighting animals for food. Without Kiwanis, millions of babies would not survive the ravages of tetanus. Plain and simple, kids need Kiwanis–now more than ever.
I joined Key Club in 1977 to make a difference in my community. I saw that my efforts had a bigger impact when joined with those of others. That desire to continue improving lives and communities led to a lifetime as a member of the Kiwanis family. Today, I am honored and humbled to begin my term as Kiwanis International president. This is an historic moment, not only because Kiwanis is the first of any of the major service organizations to elect a female president at the international level, but most importantly, this is the start of our second century of serving the children of the world.
As we start this new Kiwanis year, I ask you to pause and remember why you first joined this remarkable organization. I joined to make a difference in my community. I bet that’s why you joined too. Continue to make that difference. Re-energize those around you. Be the spark that helps children live better lives. Show the world what you are doing to help children. Print out this placard, write your commitment, then upload it to our gallery and share on your social media accounts. I can’t wait to see what you’re doing to make the world a better place for children. Together, we will change the world. Kids need Kiwanis.
In Kiwanis service,
Sue Petrisin
2015-16 Kiwanis International president
