We are into our new year and I am excited about the prospect of growing our Foundation over the next year. We have an excellent Board of Directors with great support from the Foundation office staff.

One of our goals for the 2008-2009 administrative year was to increase the number of clubs and divisions which receive a grant from the Foundation. I am proud to say we were able to achieve this goal, even exceeding our original budget for the year! This is the first year in recent history we’ve exceeded our budget.

Another goal of ours last year was to complete the leasing of our building in Rancho Cucamonga, which we were able to achieve with our last tenant moving in on January 1, 2010. This was done in spite of the slow economy and the competition for office space in the area. We are still building our assets, with the goal of reaching $7 million dollars by the end of fiscal year 2009-2010.

Our Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP) continues to flourish with over $83,000 in grants provided last year to our clubs and partner hospitals. We supported our Kiwanis clubs with grants which enabled them to purchase pediatric medical equipment for rural urgent care clinics, supply bicycle helmets to children in need, host child safety fairs and bicycle rodeos in their communities and provide safety education to children and parents. And we provided grant funds to our partner hospitals allowing them to provide advanced pediatric medical training to their staff and to expand their community outreach programs.

The Kiwanis Doctor program, a collaborative effort between the Foundation and Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, continues to expand. Since 2004, the Foundation has pledged nearly $590,000 to Loma Linda to provide for a doctor to be trained in pediatric emergency medicine. A third Kiwanis Doctor was selected in December 2009, Dr. Sarah Christian-Kopp, and will work with Dr. Andrea Thorp over the next two years to provide seminars to the medical communities in the outlying areas within the Cal-Nev-Ha District. If you are interested in hosting a Kiwanis Doctor seminar in your area, please contact Bob Erikson for more information.

In 2008-2009, our Service Leadership Programs had an outstanding year, raising over $101,000 for PTP. And it appears there's no stopping this incredible group of dedicated student leaders this year! As of November 2009, they have already raised more funds this year than all of last year. Please be sure to congratulate this outstanding group of students on their amazing fundraising activities which benefit PTP.

This year, Governor Roy and First Lady Dee have pledged their continuing support of the Foundation. Governor Roy's goals are ambitious, but achievable: 300 Dunlaps and 600 DSAs. To help us achieve our Dunlap goal, the SLP organizations have graciously offered matching funds for PTP Dunlaps. This allows donors to obtain a PTP Dunlap for a mere $500 donation to the Foundation! Applications are available on our website. And we're pleased to announce First Lady Dee has adopted our Champions for Children program this year. To acknowledge her efforts, we have designed a special commemorate pin, available only during the 2009-2010 year. Visit our website for details.

Be sure you don't miss out on the biggest District social of the year, the 2010 Mid-Year Galas: Shake, Rattle and Roll - A 1950's sock hop benefiting the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation. Our Galas are sure to be the most talked-about events of the year! Come join your friends as we take guests back in time to an era filled with fast cars, pink ladies and rock 'n roll music. Grab your steady guy or gal and come join us for an unforgettable evening featuring delicious food, exciting live entertainment, and a fabulous silent auction. And, just in case that wasn't enough, prepare to have some fun with our special guest entertainer! We will also hear first-hand from our honored guests as they tell their story of hope and triumph straight from the heart. Guests are encouraged to join in the fun by dressing for the times - poodle skirts, saddle shoes, and letterman jackets will prevail!

Finally, Save the Date for our 3rd Annual Rubber Ducky Regatta, a fun and exciting community-based fundraising event. This year's Rubber Ducky Regatta will be held on April 17, 2010, at Arrowhead Credit Union Park, home of the 66ers. Sign up as a Duck Buddy and your club will receive $2.00 for each paid duck adoption. The remaining $3.00 for each adoption will go to the Kiwanis Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation to help support the Pediatric Trauma Program, including the Kiwanis Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. Contact Andrea Waldron for details.

I look forward to working with your clubs in the coming year.

Pete Edwards
President
Cal-Nev-Ha Foundation