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Global mom medals in service

As a mother of 10 children—nine of whom were adopted from the Philippines, Korea, Mexico, Guatemala, and the United States—it’s safe to say children hold a special place in the heart of Karen Scheeringa.

Karen Scheeringa Hearts in Motion

Through her travels, in 1982 she began volunteering and helping children worldwide with surgical needs. By 1986, she had an epiphany: Rather than take children away from their families and homes for surgery, take the surgical teams to them.

So began Hearts in Motion (HIM) in 1990. Today, receiving no government funding and supported entirely by individual donors, church groups, schools, and service clubs, HIM focuses on the health, education, and welfare needs of impoverished children and families, especially in Guatemala.

At the 92nd Annual Kiwanis International Convention in San Antonio, Texas, the Kiwanis International Foundation will add to Hearts in Motion’s tremendous support by honoring its founder/executive director, Karen Scheeringa, with the 2007 World Service Medal. In addition, Scheeringa, who was nominated for the honor by the Kiwanis Club of Highland, Indiana, will receive a US$10,000 grant to continue serving children worldwide.