Extending a Helping Hand from Unexpected Places

As most of you know, I belong to or am on the boards of a couple of local organizations. One of these is the Kiwanis Club of Glendale.

The membership is quite diverse and some members are rather notable including Glendale City Councilwoman Paula Devine and City of Glendale Police Chief Carl Povilaitis. This is a kid-driven organization, meaning most of its outreach efforts are directed toward helping children.

The installation of directors and officers, held recently via Zoom, included a time to remember those members who died over the past 12 months.

Their loss is felt deeply by the remaining Kiwanians. But I have to say that a couple left a legacy that will ensure the ongoing work of this Club.

The estates of two of the members included cash gifts to the Club – substantial gifts that will make a significant difference in the work that members plan to do. These gifts are especially poignant at this time because, like most other non-profit organizations, typical fundraising efforts have been curtailed.

Sure, we’re all trying to rally support for virtual fundraisers. The Kiwanis, for example, is having its virtual duck race on Oct. 24. This is usually one of our biggest fundraisers that also raises visibility of the Club; however, this year we’re having trouble getting people excited about “adopting” ducks in support of the duck race. (For those inclined to support this effort by adopting ducks, I invite you to visit my fundraising page at https://www.duckrace.com/glendale/teams/386/21384 to adopt ducks and enter a chance to win some big bucks.)

Non-profits are not the only organizations challenged financially. I learned of three California newspapers that are no longer printing, but are only going online. I understand this challenge; CV Weekly is anxiously waiting to learn of future stimulus funding and how it will affect how we meet future financial obligations. I’m reminded of the generosity of our readers when the pandemic first hit; it was humbling and I again thank each person who remembered us when we needed it.

Which leads me to my final point: be kind to each other. These are tough, scary times. Not only are we, as a people, dealing with the pandemic but it is also a contentious election season with lies and misinformation being shoveled at voters. Do your part: research the candidates and propositions then make wise choices when casting your ballots. I’m not much of a politico but I do know how important Nov. 3 is for our country.

Vote.

  robin goldsworthy