CKI kicks off fundraising initiative

When Alec Macaulay campaigned to become the 2006-07 Circle K International President about a year ago, he set into motion a very big idea: To create a fundraising initiative.

Hard work and determination by Alec and the International Board led to the unveiling of “Saving Lives: The Six Cents Initiative” during the 2007 International Convention in Portland, Oregon, this past August.

Circle K partners with UNICEF for this project, which is raising funds to save children at risk of dehydration. For each US$.06 collected, one mixture of sugar and salt—called oral rehydration salts (ORS)—can be purchased. The ORS packet offers the most effective and inexpensive way to save lives during episodes of dehydration.

The amount of positive impact this fundraising initiative can have is staggering. If CKI raises US$500,000 for this project over the next few years, UNICEF can purchase all of the following:

• 100,000 ORS sachets

• 65,000 collapsible 10-liter water containers for transport and store

• 10,000 small-scale micro-filters to provide safe drinking water in schools

• 1,000 basic water kits for families to use during emergencies

Kiwanis clubs can help Circle K International with its fundraising initiative by getting the word out about the initiative, providing volunteers during fundraising projects, donating money to the new initiative, or inviting Circle K members to speak during Kiwanis club meetings.

“I think we will have tremendous success for years to come because of the measurable impact every contribution makes,” Alec says. “Clubs have felt daunted in the past at having to raise a lot of money in order to call a fundraiser ‘successful.’ Now, even making only $6, you have potentially impacted or saved the lives of 100 children!”