Circle K International is committed to changing the world through service. Every year, clubs and districts can apply for grants of US$200 to $2,000 from the Tomorrow Fund to make a difference on their campuses and in their communities. Applications for the 2021-22 year will be accepted from October 1 to December 1.
The Tomorrow Fund, which is held by the Kiwanis Children’s Fund, helped these clubs and districts expand their impact during the 2020-21 year.
Helping educators
Members of the Indiana University — Purdue University Indianapolis CKI club assembled school supply kits to donate to Teachers’ Treasures, an organization that collects and distributes supplies to educators of students in need. The goal of the project was to raise awareness of disparities in access to education — and to support teachers, who spend from US$800 to $1,200 out of pocket each year on school supplies.
Creating comfort
Circle K International clubs at the University of Virginia and Northeastern University created fleece blankets. The University of Virginia club gave blankets to the university hospital for patients and families experiencing long stays. Northeastern CKI members donated blankets to Project Linus, which serves children who are seriously ill or have experienced trauma.
Tackling an ongoing need
Members of CKI at the University of Texas, Dallas, addressed two issues by making reusable menstrual pads for women who are homeless. By making and donating the pads, the club helped women experience more comfort and dignity. The project also lessened the environmental impact of plastic sanitary products, which take centuries to degrade in landfills.
Helping the homeless
CKI members at Western Carolina University and the Indiana and Florida districts received grants to create hygiene kits for people who are homeless. The club and districts filled bags with shampoo, toothpaste and brushes, soap, face masks, hand sanitizer and socks, as well as granola or trail mix. The CKI members worked with non-profit organizations that distributed the kits to people in need.
Assisting the elderly
The CKI club of Nathm, Nepal, used its grant to provide food and hygiene items to a home for the elderly that was hard hit financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. Members delivered rice, lentils, chickpeas, healthy drinks, handwash, toilet paper, soap, shampoo and masks. They also safely interacted with the residents, sharing stories and learning about their life experiences.
Sharing snacks
CKI members at Los Angeles City College completed a project that helped fellow students who experience food insecurity during a stressful time during the school year. The club’s Brown Bag Treats project provided 40 students with healthy snacks — nuts, coconut water, coffee packs, crackers and raisins — to enjoy while studying for finals.
Creating access for all
The CKI club at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, received a grant to rebuild a boardwalk for people who use wheelchairs or need walking assistance at Camp Wawbeek, an Easterseals camp. The boardwalk, built in 2010 by the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District, wad badly damaged in a storm. Once again, all children and adults who attend the camp will have access to the wilderness.
Appreciating art
A grant from the Children’s Fund will result in more kids exploring their artistic abilities. CKI members at Montclair State University in New Jersey created art packages filled with crayons, paper and coloring books so kids can design bookmarks. The CKI club will give the packages to K-Kids members to encourage meaningful service projects and build relationships with the Kiwanis family.
Providing school supplies
CKI members at West Virginia University collected and distributed backpacks full of school supplies to kids who were learning from home in the second semester of the 2020-21 school year. The drawstring bags were filled with crayons, scissors, glue sticks, pencils, pens, notebooks and folders and given to children in need.
Want to support the Tomorrow Fund and the impact CKI members make around the world? Learn more here.