Kiwanis Club's generous contribution will help YMCA Point Bonita to continue to bring environmental education to a variety of populations, both locally and from across state lines. I recently was invited to attend a luncheon with the Kiwanis Club of San Francisco. More than just a check presentation, the afternoon was an occasion where I was warmly welcomed by the group to eat, chat, and enjoy a guest presentation on public speaking. I am grateful to the Kiwanis Club for their kind contribution to the YMCA Point Bonita, and am glad to have had a chance to get to know them a little bit!
A Miner Miracle is a SF nonprofit that provides professional clothing and image counseling to low income men and women. In 1998 I was invited to have lunch with the SF chapter of the Kiwanis Club and present our organization to the members. I went to find a warm and welcoming group of gentlemen that were genuinely interested in our work. They even asked thoughtful questions about the "makeover" process for women and I saw a few tears shed as I showed our video of "before and after" clients. To my surprise I got a donation. But more important I left feeling supported by my community in a very special way and hoping to be invited back. I have been asked back year after year for over 10 years and my donations seemed to increase even when the economy does not.To be able to depend on such support is invaluable. I have seen the club grow and they have been a big part of our growth. I don't attend many luncheons but I look forward to my annual lunch with my "friends". I have met incredible people at the Kiwanis Club that have been connected to our organization, one became a board member, others come to our events and became individual donors. I see the good they do for so many organizations like my own and have committed to join once I retire. I will be proud to be a member.