Feels funny saying that when it has been 80 degrees here in CT for the last couple of weeks, but with the leaves falling and kids back at school it definitely means it is the start of the Kiwanis new year. I am so excited to be the New England and Bermuda District Governor this year and am looking forward to getting out and meeting all of you! I have had the opportunity to already attend a couple of signature club events and officer installations this September and I can’t wait to get out to more this year. The District is continuing to grow with the charter celebration of the Greater Enfield Kiwanis in August, with eight members from the club also joining us at District Convention! I am excited to announce that this past week the Membership Committee was in Lebanon, NH and White River Junction, VT working on building the Upper Valley Kiwanis Club. We can’t wait to see the impact these new clubs have on their community!
As I have mentioned before over the last year as Governor-Elect, my goal is to make the District leadership more visible and accessible to the clubs and members. To that end, I will be hosting my first Office Hours of my term on Tuesday, October 15 at 7pm EST via Zoom. I encourage anyone who has questions, concerns or just wants to chat to join me!
As you may have read in the Yankiwanian that came out mid-September or heard about it from me, we are moving to a condensed monthly publication of the Yankiwanian. By switching up the format, I hope that the information needed gets out to clubs in a timely manner and it doesn’t take a long time to read. This will be a work in progress so if there is anything you would like to see, please reach out. I greatly appreciate Governor Elect Adam helping me get this new format launched and if there is anyone that is interested in helping, please let me know.
Cheers to this new year and all that it holds!
Yours in Kiwanis, Governor Kristin
NOTES FROM DISTRICT SECRETARY JUDY
Club Dues Structure Effective 10/1/24: As you may have heard, the Kiwanis International dues increase went into effect for the start of the new 2024-2025 Kiwanis year. In addition to this, the district dues will remain the same for this term. I have included the breakdown of total dues below:
International Dues 77.00 Publication 8.00 Insurance 22.00 District Dues 25.00 Total Dues per member $132.00
Additionally, if your club has voted to increase dues, please remember that the club bylaws must also be changed.
Division Re-alignments: The division re-alignments will not be shown correctly on October 1st until the membership figures for 2023-24 are closed out. This typically occurs by October 20th, which means the new divisions would be updated by the end of that month.
My husband Matt and I travelled 6.5 hours to Maine with the help of Bart and Pat Stevens, Tim McMahon, Governor Eli, and First Lady Jen to help members of the Presque Isle Club and Caribou Club pack 10,000 meals to be distributed throughout Aroostook County. We met some new friends in both clubs and enjoyed many laughs. I learned so much about the potato harvest in the County.
Did you know that Maine processes 2.6 billion pounds of potatoes, 28 million pounds of broccoli, and 575 thousand gallons of Maine Maple Syrup each year?
They have the largest 3-D scale solar system model in the Western Hemisphere. From Presque Isle to Houlton.
The County is the home of the first Transatlantic Hot Air Balloon Flight
Kiwanis Club Carnival returned to theCheshire Fall Festival!
After a three-year hiatus, the Kiwanis Club Carnival returned to the Cheshire Fall Festival at Bartlem Park.But its arrival was not marked by the usual fanfare of loud noises, flashing lights and large crowds. Instead, the carnival came quietly, greeting guests with muted rides, minimal lighting and plenty of room to roam.
The carnival, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cheshire, a nonprofit community service organization, kicked off Friday afternoon with a special sensory-friendly event tailored for people with sensory processing issues. During this two-hour window, the carnival’s seven rides and other attractionsoperated without their typical triumphant tunes and twinkling lights — an effort, organizers said, to create a more inclusive and comfortable park experience.
Nick Robinette, a Hamden resident, said he and his wife “promised” their 8-year-old son, who they asked not be named, that they would take him to the carnival for its return. They decided to visit during the carnival’s sensory-friendly hours, which they knew would be “less overwhelming” than attending at night, he said.
“This is a lot nicer than having everything going at once,” Robinette said. “It’s a lot easier as a parent.”
Robinette said his son “doesn’t really love a big crowd” and sometimes gets overwhelmed in noisy environments. The boy basically had the entire amusement area to himself Friday afternoon, eagerly zipping from ride to ride as his parents watched from the sidelines. His favorite ride was the OrientExpress, a kiddie roller coaster.
“I think anybody can get over stimulated, and there are a lot of kids who are going to have very particular needs who probably couldn’t enjoy this if they didn’t have the chance to come early,” Robinette said. “So I think it’s really great.”
Article and photo credit to Austin Mirmina at the Cheshire Herald
Protecting Kids is Mission Critical!
Kiwanis International is the world’s top provider of youth service and leadership programming with more than 300,000 youth taking part in our platforms. Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids, Terrific Kids, and BUG are programs packed with children and young adults who are learning to serve, to lead, and to become the best possible versions of themselves through the lens and with the guidance of Kiwanis. Key Club, in fact, has well over 5,000 high school-aged members in New England alone! Families and communities trust Kiwanis to not only improve the lives of children through our projects and fundraising, but also to inform and protect the youth we are teaching to lead and to serve. By using the training materials provided through Kiwanis International and NEBD Kiwanis, your club can help keep our young people safe and teach them habits that will benefit them throughout life. Your club will also be taking steps to protect itself and the organization we all value.
I encourage you to celebrate Kiwanis Youth Protection Week October 7-11th by committing some time to training your club, sharing out YP guidelines, following up on lapsed background checks, and just generally acknowledging the importance of Youth Protection. Kids Need Kiwanis.
For more information, Call the Youth Protection Hotline: 866-607-SAFE
Congratulations to the Mt. Washington Valley Club for the launch of their new Builders Club at Kennett Middle School!
INSTALLATION SEASON!
Congratulations to David Wyskiel, President for the 2024-2025 year of the Meriden, CT club. It’s going to be a magical year!
Westfield MA celebrated incoming President Colleen Powers-Andrews. Also congratulations to Geana Delisle, Lifetime Achievement award winner and Brad Cassin, Kiwanian of the Year!
Barry Chisholm of New Hampshire, Receives Key Club’s highest honor.
Barry recently received the organization’s highest recognition award, the Key of Honor at the Ke Club international convention! Chisholm has served as an advisor for the Kennett High School Key Club in Conway, New Hampshire, U.S., since 2006.
He first served as the club’s faculty advisor when he joined Kennett in 2006 as a special education teacher, after a lengthy career in the United States Air Force. Chisholm retired from Kennett in 2011 and then became an advisor representing the Key Club’s sponsor, the Kiwanis Club of Mount Washington Valley, North Conway, of which he is a member.
A highlight of Chisholm’s Key Club experience is his involvement with Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, U.S. Camp Sunshine provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening diseases and their immediate families. Chisholm has taken Key Club members to camp sessions annually since he became a club advisor in 2006, stopping only during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, he received a “6 Who Care” award from News Center Maine for his work with Camp Sunshine.
I’m writing to let you know that this will be my last year serving as District Chair for Young Children Priority One (prenatal through age 5) and Young Children (through age 8). This is a difficult decision, and I have given it much thought. It is my 13th year serving in this position, and I feel it is time for me to pursue other endeavors.
It has been my pleasure and honor to focus on helping young children and their families. I appreciate all the projects clubs have completed to help children in our District. My hope is that you will continue to sponsor Reading Corners, Little Free Libraries, Early Childhood Injury Prevention Kits, Bike Rodeos, Bike Helmet distribution, Life Jacket Loaner Stations, importance of vaccinations for children, scholarships for swim lessons, duffel bags for foster children, Lego Replay recycling, food for local food pantries, diaper distribution, Outreach meal packing events, and all the wonderful project materials available through the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI), made available from the Kiwanis Foundation of New England.
My term will end September 30, 2024. I plan to attend DCON in Springfield this August and will have materials available in the Exhibit Hall. In the future if I can help you in any way to further the safety and literacy of young children, please contact me.
Again I thank you for your support over the years, and it has been a pleasure to serve the New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING END HUNGER GRANT REQUESTS AND THE COST OF THE MEAL PACKING!
In an email received from Matthew Martin:
Effective 6:01 pm on Feb 23rd or after, the new rate will be 37 cents/meal or $3700, to complete 10,000 meals. If reservations/contracts have been made by this date, the $.35 per meal will be honored.
Events also need to be held on May 1st or before to still be at the $.35 per meal cost. If you already had your contract in prior to February 23 you are at $.35 per meal. If you live near Pembroke MA, you can book an event at the warehouse.
After May 1 the cost of a meal packing event will be $3700 to pack 10,000 meals. Clubs/Divisions will need to raise $1700 if applying for an End Hunger Grant request of $2000
The KFNE Board of Directors passed a motion which allows each Division to apply for an End Hunger Grant every six months instead of annually.
THE END HUNGER GRANT APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND ATKFNE.org on the homepage.
6 Steps Needed to Complete A Meal Packing Project:
Have $3700in funds(minimum) to pay for the meals($2000 may be provided through a KFNE grant).
Identify a venue where you can have the meal packing
Identify 35-40 people to do the meal packing
Contact Matthew Martin to arrange a mutually convenient date
On the day of the meal packing help set up and have a fun time packing the meal
Distribute the cartons to your community
Below is specific information concerning food insecurity in New England and the meal packing project with the Outreach Program with contact information.
What happens when a child is hungry?
Kids who don’t get enough to eat — especially during their first three years — begin life at a serious disadvantage. Hunger hinders brain development. The brain develops rapidly from conception to age 5. Without the right nutrients, the brain cannot develop properly, resulting in long term effects on learning abilities.When they are hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized and they face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up, kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.
Children facing hunger may struggle in school — and beyond. They are more likely to:
Repeat a grade in elementary school
Experience developmental impairments in areas like language and motor skills
Have more social and behavioral problems.
Hunger has been observed to cause depression, anxiety and withdrawal, all of which are obstructions to a child trying to focus on education.
(Feedingamerica.org)
I would like to share with you the most recent information on Food Insecurity the U.S. and New England.
FOOD INSECURITY
(the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food every day)
Statistics:
1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure
1 out of 4 American children suffer from hunger and food insecurity
provided by feedingamerica.org
I hope you will consider doing more projects to help fight food inadequacies in your communities. Support your local food pantries, backpack food programs, organize a food collection, and most importantly, support programs which supply food to children during school vacations and during the summer when food pantries are at their lowest supplies. HUNGER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY!
Finally, have you considered holding a meal packing event? This is a great Division Project. Outreach, Inc, offers 10 different meals: tomato basil pasta, apple cinnamon oatmeal, minestrone soup, cheesy rice, Spanish rice, raisin cinnamon oatmeal, apple cinnamon rice, raisin cinnamon rice, Mac and cheese, and rice and beans.
Each serving contains a fortified protein supplement making it more nutritious than store bought packaged food.
Each serving costs $.37 or $2.22 for a packet feeding 6. Meals are assembled on a line with 10 people working on each line. 36 meal packets fill a carton which costs $79.92
Minimally $3700 must be ordered for the activity. Matthew Martin is the Regional Manager and New England Coordinator for the Outreach Program.
Many Divisions in New England have packaged meals over the last year. Over 10,000 servings were packaged in about 2 hours with much laughter and enthusiasm. The cartons were delivered to local food pantries throughout New England. All participates left with a smile knowing that hungry families would be receiving nutritious food because of our efforts! I hope you will consider organizing a meal packing project!
Have workers but don’t have a venue to hold the event? You can go to the Outreach warehouse in Pembroke, MA to pack the meals and then deliver the packed cartons to YOUR local food pantry.
If you have concerns or questions, please contact me. And if you do arrange a food assembly project, please invite me. I would love to participate!
Ava Adams, District Chair Committee on Young Children New England and Bermuda District email: [email protected]
I am writing this article with the hope that Kiwanians will pass this information along to educate the public.
Educate the Community About Poisons
The same impulse that leads a child to swallow a toy may impel him to drink or eat a poisonous substance. Clubs can help parents through an awareness campaign that reminds them to keep paints, cleaning compounds, beauty aids and even house plants out of the reach of children. Educational pamphlets on poisons, designed for distribution in the community, are available from the National Safety Council at 800-621-7619.
The Centers for Disease Control has published the following information (the contact information is, of course, directed to the United States):
Keep Young Children Safe from Poisoning
Be Prepared
Put the poison help number, 1-800-222-1222, on or near every home telephone and save it on your cell phone. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Be Smart about Storage
Store all medicines and household products up and away and out of sight in a cabinet where a child cannot reach them.
When you are taking or giving medicines or are using household products:
Do not put your next dose on the counter or table where children can reach them—it only takes seconds for a child to get them.
If you have to do something else while taking medicine, such as answer the phone, take any young children with you.
Secure the child safety cap completely every time you use a medicine.
After using them, do not leave medicines or household products out. As soon as you are done with them, put them away and out of sight in a cabinet where a child cannot reach them.
Be aware of any legal or illegal drugs that guests may bring into your home. Ask guests to store drugs where children cannot find them. Children can easily get into pillboxes, purses, backpacks, or coat pockets.
Identify poisonous plants in your house and yard and place them out of reach of children or remove them.
What To Do If A Poisoning Occurs
Remain calm.
Call 911 if you have a poison emergency and the victim has collapsed or is not breathing. If the victim is awake and alert, dial 1-800-222-1222. Try to have this information ready:
the victim’s age and weight
the container or bottle of the poison if available
the time of the poison exposure the address where the poisoning occurred
Stay on the phone and follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center.
Available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) 250 copies per Club per year may be ordered online at www.kpti.org under Community Services tab.
First Aid/CPR Chart for Parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
The First AID/CPR Chart from the American Academy of Pediatrics is a large 11″ x 17″ wall chart includes first aid guidance on one side – choking/CPR guidance on the other. Topics include burns, scalds, fractures, sprains, head injuries, poisons, skin wounds, stings and bites, and infants/child CPR. For Kiwanis clubs to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events for the public.
Ava Adams, District Chair Young Children Committee Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis email: [email protected]
I am the New England District Chair for YOUNG CHILDREN. This program focuses on the needs of young children with an emphasis on infants and youngsters ages 0 to 8.
I have been your District Chair for 13 years, and I am passionate about educating new parents to promote optimal health and brain development in their babies along with preventing trauma in their lives.
This month I am focusing on materials available from:
KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA INSTITUTE (KPTI) at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. You may have heard that Tufts Children’s Hospital has ended its trauma services. This is true BUT the Kiwanis Foundation of New England’s trauma prevention and community education programs continue this year. Tufts’ administrators indicated that the programs offered through KPTI are valuable and necessary so a contract has been signed to continue services through
KPTI through September 30, 2024 and possibly longer. The Early Childhood Injury Prevention Kits, Bike Rodeo materials, Cubby Bears, Bike Helmet program, and other printed educational materials will be available to Kiwanis Clubs in our District. Research will also continue at Tufts with grant money from KFNE. Your Club may continue to order materials without interruption. And I encourage your Club to continue its Annual Gift (of $12 per member) to KFNE as well as purchasing Red Jackets as these actions pay for KPTI’s programs.
To learn more about KPTI and order materials and Red Jackets go to kpti.com.
A valuable project available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) in Boston is:
First Aid/ CPR Chart
This chart is provided by the American Association of Pediatric available to KPTI. One side provides Choking/CPR for INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR and another section covers CPR/CHOKING for children ONE TO EIGHT YEARS. The First AID/CPR Chart is a large 11″ x 17″ wall chart includes first aid guidance on one side – choking/CPR guidance on the other. Topics include burns, scalds, fractures, sprains, head injuries, poisons, skin wounds, stings and bites, and infants/child CPR. For Kiwanis clubs to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events to the public.
Another project available to all clubs;
EARLY CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION KITS (available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, KPTI,)include Bath Safety Duck to test water temperature, Car seat information sticker, Car seat and seat belt information card, Shaken baby information card, “Keeping the Promise” window safety brochure, Burn prevention brochure, Home safety checklist booklet, Electric outlet covers(24 pk)
These materials are available to ALL Kiwanis Clubs and need to be put together in a plastic bag which is also included with the materials. Then the Kits need to be delivered. Possible distribution to: Day Care Centers, Day Care Homes, Mother’s Groups, Hospitals with Birthing Centers, Health Clinics, Pediatricians’ offices, Obstetricians’ offices or any facility that provides prenatal classes or care for expectant mothers. This is a perfect project for ALL Clubs…large or small! I encourage your Club to complete this project which can save lives and prevent traumatic injuries to infants and toddlers.
EACH CLUB IS ALLOWED 200 KITS ANNUALLY FOR DISTRIBUTION.
For more information go to kpti.org and click on Community Programs tab (order form available)
Many more materials are available online at KPTI.org under Community Programs and an Order Form is also available on this website.
I am YOUR District Chair. Please feel free to contact me with questions. And please share with me any Young Children projects you are doing this year.
Finally, I hope to see you at Convention and other District happenings in the near future.
Ava Adams, District Chair Young Children Committee
Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
Posted: March 30, 2025 by edenorfia
Yankiwanian – March 2025
Posted: February 2, 2025 by Will Bradford
Yankiwanian – February 2025
Last Updated: February 2, 2025 by Will Bradford
Yankiwanian – January 2025
Last Updated: February 2, 2025 by Will Bradford
Yankiwanian – December 2024
Last Updated: February 2, 2025 by Will Bradford
Yankiwanian – November 2024
Posted: October 7, 2024 by Will Bradford
Yankiwanian – October 1, 2024
Happy New Year!
Feels funny saying that when it has been 80 degrees here in CT for the last couple of weeks, but with the leaves falling and kids back at school it definitely means it is the start of the Kiwanis new year. I am so excited to be the New England and Bermuda District Governor this year and am looking forward to getting out and meeting all of you! I have had the opportunity to already attend a couple of signature club events and officer installations this September and I can’t wait to get out to more this year.
The District is continuing to grow with the charter celebration of the Greater Enfield Kiwanis in August, with eight members from the club also joining us at District Convention! I am excited to announce that this past week the Membership Committee was in Lebanon, NH and White River Junction, VT working on building the Upper Valley Kiwanis Club. We can’t wait to see the impact these new clubs have on their community!
As I have mentioned before over the last year as Governor-Elect, my goal is to make the District leadership more visible and accessible to the clubs and members. To that end, I will be hosting my first Office Hours of my term on Tuesday, October 15 at 7pm EST via Zoom. I encourage anyone who has questions, concerns or just wants to chat to join me!
As you may have read in the Yankiwanian that came out mid-September or heard about it from me, we are moving to a condensed monthly publication of the Yankiwanian. By switching up the format, I hope that the information needed gets out to clubs in a timely manner and it doesn’t take a long time to read. This will be a work in progress so if there is anything you would like to see, please reach out. I greatly appreciate Governor Elect Adam helping me get this new format launched and if there is anyone that is interested in helping, please let me know.
Cheers to this new year and all that it holds!
Yours in Kiwanis,
Governor Kristin
NOTES FROM DISTRICT SECRETARY JUDY
Club Dues Structure Effective 10/1/24: As you may have heard, the Kiwanis International dues increase went into effect for the start of the new 2024-2025 Kiwanis year. In addition to this, the district dues will remain the same for this term. I have included the breakdown of total dues below:
International Dues 77.00
Publication 8.00
Insurance 22.00
District Dues 25.00
Total Dues per member $132.00
Additionally, if your club has voted to increase dues, please remember that the club bylaws must also be changed.
Division Re-alignments: The division re-alignments will not be shown correctly on October 1st until the membership figures for 2023-24 are closed out. This typically occurs by October 20th, which means the new divisions would be updated by the end of that month.
My husband Matt and I travelled 6.5 hours to Maine with the help of Bart and Pat Stevens, Tim McMahon, Governor Eli, and First Lady Jen to help members of the Presque Isle Club and Caribou Club pack 10,000 meals to be distributed throughout Aroostook County. We met some new friends in both clubs and enjoyed many laughs. I learned so much about the potato harvest in the County.
Did you know that Maine processes 2.6 billion pounds of potatoes, 28 million pounds of broccoli, and 575 thousand gallons of Maine Maple Syrup each year?
They have the largest 3-D scale solar system model in the Western Hemisphere. From Presque Isle to Houlton.
The County is the home of the first Transatlantic Hot Air Balloon Flight
Kiwanis Club Carnival returned to the Cheshire Fall Festival!
After a three-year hiatus, the Kiwanis Club Carnival returned to the Cheshire Fall Festival at Bartlem Park.But its arrival was not marked by the usual fanfare of loud noises, flashing lights and large crowds. Instead, the carnival came quietly, greeting guests with muted rides, minimal lighting and plenty of room to roam.
The carnival, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cheshire, a nonprofit community service organization, kicked off Friday afternoon with a special sensory-friendly event tailored for people with sensory processing issues. During this two-hour window, the carnival’s seven rides and other attractions operated without their typical triumphant tunes and twinkling lights — an effort, organizers said, to create a more inclusive and comfortable park experience.
Nick Robinette, a Hamden resident, said he and his wife “promised” their 8-year-old son, who they asked not be named, that they would take him to the carnival for its return. They decided to visit during the carnival’s sensory-friendly hours, which they knew would be “less overwhelming” than attending at night, he said.
“This is a lot nicer than having everything going at once,” Robinette said. “It’s a lot easier as a parent.”
Robinette said his son “doesn’t really love a big crowd” and sometimes gets overwhelmed in noisy environments. The boy basically had the entire amusement area to himself Friday afternoon, eagerly zipping from ride to ride as his parents watched from the sidelines. His favorite ride was the Orient Express, a kiddie roller coaster.
“I think anybody can get over stimulated, and there are a lot of kids who are going to have very particular needs who probably couldn’t enjoy this if they didn’t have the chance to come early,” Robinette said. “So I think it’s really great.”
Article and photo credit to Austin Mirmina at the Cheshire Herald
Protecting Kids is Mission Critical!
Kiwanis International is the world’s top provider of youth service and leadership programming with more than 300,000 youth taking part in our platforms. Circle K, Key Club, Builders Club, K-Kids, Terrific Kids, and BUG are programs packed with children and young adults who are learning to serve, to lead, and to become the best possible versions of themselves through the lens and with the guidance of Kiwanis. Key Club, in fact, has well over 5,000 high school-aged members in New England alone! Families and communities trust Kiwanis to not only improve the lives of children through our projects and fundraising, but also to inform and protect the youth we are teaching to lead and to serve. By using the training materials provided through Kiwanis International and NEBD Kiwanis, your club can help keep our young people safe and teach them habits that will benefit them throughout life. Your club will also be taking steps to protect itself and the organization we all value.
I encourage you to celebrate Kiwanis Youth Protection Week October 7-11th by committing some time to training your club, sharing out YP guidelines, following up on lapsed background checks, and just generally acknowledging the importance of Youth Protection. Kids Need Kiwanis.
For more information, Call the Youth Protection Hotline: 866-607-SAFE
BUILDING SLPS!
Congratulations to the Mt. Washington Valley Club for the launch of their new Builders Club at Kennett Middle School!
INSTALLATION SEASON!
Congratulations to David Wyskiel, President for the 2024-2025 year of the Meriden, CT club. It’s going to be a magical year!
Westfield MA celebrated incoming President Colleen Powers-Andrews. Also congratulations to Geana Delisle, Lifetime Achievement award winner and Brad Cassin, Kiwanian of the Year!
Barry Chisholm of New Hampshire, Receives Key Club’s highest honor.
Barry recently received the organization’s highest recognition award, the Key of Honor at the Ke Club international convention! Chisholm has served as an advisor for the Kennett High School Key Club in Conway, New Hampshire, U.S., since 2006.
He first served as the club’s faculty advisor when he joined Kennett in 2006 as a special education teacher, after a lengthy career in the United States Air Force. Chisholm retired from Kennett in 2011 and then became an advisor representing the Key Club’s sponsor, the Kiwanis Club of Mount Washington Valley, North Conway, of which he is a member.
A highlight of Chisholm’s Key Club experience is his involvement with Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine, U.S. Camp Sunshine provides respite, support, joy and hope to children with life-threatening diseases and their immediate families. Chisholm has taken Key Club members to camp sessions annually since he became a club advisor in 2006, stopping only during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, he received a “6 Who Care” award from News Center Maine for his work with Camp Sunshine.
For the full article, click here.
Posted: July 1, 2024 by Will Bradford
July 2024 Young Children Newsletter
I’m writing to let you know that this will be my last year serving as District Chair for Young Children Priority One (prenatal through age 5) and Young Children (through age 8). This is a difficult decision, and I have given it much thought. It is my 13th year serving in this position, and I feel it is time for me to pursue other endeavors.
It has been my pleasure and honor to focus on helping young children and their families. I appreciate all the projects clubs have completed to help children in our District. My hope is that you will continue to sponsor Reading Corners, Little Free Libraries, Early Childhood Injury Prevention Kits, Bike Rodeos, Bike Helmet distribution, Life Jacket Loaner Stations, importance of vaccinations for children, scholarships for swim lessons, duffel bags for foster children, Lego Replay recycling, food for local food pantries, diaper distribution, Outreach meal packing events, and all the wonderful project materials available through the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI), made available from the Kiwanis Foundation of New England.
My term will end September 30, 2024. I plan to attend DCON in Springfield this August and will have materials available in the Exhibit Hall. In the future if I can help you in any way to further the safety and literacy of young children, please contact me.
Again I thank you for your support over the years, and it has been a pleasure to serve the New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis.
Ava Adams
Scarborough, Maine, Kiwanis Club
email: [email protected]
Posted: March 4, 2024 by Will Bradford
March 2024 Young Children Newsletter
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING END HUNGER GRANT REQUESTS AND THE COST OF THE MEAL PACKING!
In an email received from Matthew Martin:
After May 1 the cost of a meal packing event will be $3700 to pack 10,000 meals. Clubs/Divisions will need to raise $1700 if applying for an End Hunger Grant request of $2000
The KFNE Board of Directors passed a motion which allows each Division to apply for an End Hunger Grant every six months instead of annually.
THE END HUNGER GRANT APPLICATION CAN BE FOUND AT KFNE.org on the homepage.
6 Steps Needed to Complete A Meal Packing Project:
Below is specific information concerning food insecurity in New England and the meal packing project with the Outreach Program with contact information.
What happens when a child is hungry?
Kids who don’t get enough to eat — especially during their first three years — begin life at a serious disadvantage. Hunger hinders brain development. The brain develops rapidly from conception to age 5. Without the right nutrients, the brain cannot develop properly, resulting in long term effects on learning abilities.When they are hungry, children are more likely to be hospitalized and they face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. And as they grow up, kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.
Children facing hunger may struggle in school — and beyond. They are more likely to:
(Feedingamerica.org)
I would like to share with you the most recent information on Food Insecurity the U.S. and New England.
FOOD INSECURITY
(the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food every day)
Statistics:
1 out of 6 Americans are food insecure
1 out of 4 American children suffer from hunger and food insecurity
provided by feedingamerica.org
I hope you will consider doing more projects to help fight food inadequacies in your communities. Support your local food pantries, backpack food programs, organize a food collection, and most importantly, support programs which supply food to children during school vacations and during the summer when food pantries are at their lowest supplies. HUNGER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY!
Finally, have you considered holding a meal packing event? This is a great Division Project. Outreach, Inc, offers 10 different meals: tomato basil pasta, apple cinnamon oatmeal, minestrone soup, cheesy rice, Spanish rice, raisin cinnamon oatmeal, apple cinnamon rice, raisin cinnamon rice, Mac and cheese, and rice and beans.
Each serving contains a fortified protein supplement making it more nutritious than store bought packaged food.
Each serving costs $.37 or $2.22 for a packet feeding 6. Meals are assembled on a line with 10 people working on each line. 36 meal packets fill a carton which costs $79.92
Minimally $3700 must be ordered for the activity. Matthew Martin is the Regional Manager and New England Coordinator for the Outreach Program.
email: [email protected]
for more information: visit The New England Outreach Program at https://www.endhungerne.org
Many Divisions in New England have packaged meals over the last year. Over 10,000 servings were packaged in about 2 hours with much laughter and enthusiasm. The cartons were delivered to local food pantries throughout New England. All participates left with a smile knowing that hungry families would be receiving nutritious food because of our efforts! I hope you will consider organizing a meal packing project!
Have workers but don’t have a venue to hold the event? You can go to the Outreach warehouse in Pembroke, MA to pack the meals and then deliver the packed cartons to YOUR local food pantry.
If you have concerns or questions, please contact me. And if you do arrange a food assembly project, please invite me. I would love to participate!
Ava Adams, District Chair
Committee on Young Children
New England and Bermuda District
email: [email protected]
Posted: January 31, 2024 by Will Bradford
February 2024 Young Children Newsletter
I am writing this article with the hope that Kiwanians will pass this information along to educate the public.
Educate the Community About Poisons
The same impulse that leads a child to swallow a toy may impel him to drink or eat a poisonous substance. Clubs can help parents through an awareness campaign that reminds them to keep paints, cleaning compounds, beauty aids and even house plants out of the reach of children. Educational pamphlets on poisons, designed for distribution in the community, are available from the National Safety Council at 800-621-7619.
The Centers for Disease Control has published the following information (the contact information is, of course, directed to the United States):
Keep Young Children Safe from Poisoning
Be Prepared
Be Smart about Storage
Proper Disposal
For more information on proper disposal, please see the FDA’s web site, Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know.
Other Tips
What To Do If A Poisoning Occurs
Available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) 250 copies per Club per year may be ordered online at www.kpti.org under Community Services tab.
First Aid/CPR Chart for Parents from the American Academy of Pediatrics:
The First AID/CPR Chart from the American Academy of Pediatrics is a large 11″ x 17″ wall chart includes first aid guidance on one side – choking/CPR guidance on the other. Topics include burns, scalds, fractures, sprains, head injuries, poisons, skin wounds, stings and bites, and infants/child CPR. For Kiwanis clubs to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events for the public.
Ava Adams, District Chair
Young Children Committee
Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club
New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
email: [email protected]
Posted: December 14, 2023 by Will Bradford
December 2023 Young Children Newsletter
December 2023 Young Children newsletter revised
Good morning fellow Kiwanians!
I am the New England District Chair for YOUNG CHILDREN. This program focuses on the needs of young children with an emphasis on infants and youngsters ages 0 to 8.
I have been your District Chair for 13 years, and I am passionate about educating new parents to promote optimal health and brain development in their babies along with preventing trauma in their lives.
This month I am focusing on materials available from:
KIWANIS PEDIATRIC TRAUMA INSTITUTE (KPTI) at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. You may have heard that Tufts Children’s Hospital has ended its trauma services. This is true BUT the Kiwanis Foundation of New England’s trauma prevention and community education programs continue this year. Tufts’ administrators indicated that the programs offered through KPTI are valuable and necessary so a contract has been signed to continue services through
KPTI through September 30, 2024 and possibly longer. The Early Childhood Injury Prevention Kits, Bike Rodeo materials, Cubby Bears, Bike Helmet program, and other printed educational materials will be available to Kiwanis Clubs in our District. Research will also continue at Tufts with grant money from KFNE. Your Club may continue to order materials without interruption. And I encourage your Club to continue its Annual Gift (of $12 per member) to KFNE as well as purchasing Red Jackets as these actions pay for KPTI’s programs.
To learn more about KPTI and order materials and Red Jackets go to kpti.com.
A valuable project available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) in Boston is:
First Aid/ CPR Chart
This chart is provided by the American Association of Pediatric available to KPTI. One side provides Choking/CPR for INFANTS UNDER ONE YEAR and another section covers CPR/CHOKING for children ONE TO EIGHT YEARS. The First AID/CPR Chart is a large 11″ x 17″ wall chart includes first aid guidance on one side – choking/CPR guidance on the other. Topics include burns, scalds, fractures, sprains, head injuries, poisons, skin wounds, stings and bites, and infants/child CPR. For Kiwanis clubs to be distributed to pediatrician’s offices, parenting groups and also can be handed out at club events to the public.
Another project available to all clubs;
EARLY CHILDHOOD INJURY PREVENTION KITS (available from Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute, KPTI,)include Bath Safety Duck to test water temperature, Car seat information sticker, Car seat and seat belt information card, Shaken baby information card, “Keeping the Promise” window safety brochure, Burn prevention brochure, Home safety checklist booklet, Electric outlet covers(24 pk)
These materials are available to ALL Kiwanis Clubs and need to be put together in a plastic bag which is also included with the materials. Then the Kits need to be delivered. Possible distribution to: Day Care Centers, Day Care Homes, Mother’s Groups, Hospitals with Birthing Centers, Health Clinics, Pediatricians’ offices, Obstetricians’ offices or any facility that provides prenatal classes or care for expectant mothers. This is a perfect project for ALL Clubs…large or small! I encourage your Club to complete this project which can save lives and prevent traumatic injuries to infants and toddlers.
EACH CLUB IS ALLOWED 200 KITS ANNUALLY FOR DISTRIBUTION.
For more information go to kpti.org and click on Community Programs tab (order form available)
Many more materials are available online at KPTI.org under Community Programs and an Order Form is also available on this website.
I am YOUR District Chair. Please feel free to contact me with questions. And please share with me any Young Children projects you are doing this year.
Finally, I hope to see you at Convention and other District happenings in the near future.
Ava Adams, District Chair Young Children Committee
Scarborough Maine Kiwanis Club New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis
email: [email protected]
Latest Posts