Dearest Members of the Mighty New York District,

Welcome to a new exciting Key Club year! My name is Amy Kong and I’m your 2008-2009 District Projects Committee chair. Other fabulous Lieutenant Governors, along with EA Zack and I, make up your District Projects Committee and we are ready to serve you by giving you frequent updates and of course, by supporting you with new ideas on how to fundraise for these projects.

So what exactly are District Projects? District Projects are a group of charities recognized for your importance. While there are many charities that you can donate to, it is suggested that you aid the New York District by donating funds to these charities. Certainly, they were voted on by your District Board, so you can count on them to be extraordinary!

The 10 charities officially recognized for the 2008-2009 Key Club year are:

1. Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center:
   BROCHURE
   The Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Center at North Shore University Hospital Foundation sponsors a variety of events during the year designed to raise funds and/or to support efforts to reduce pediatric injuries or support pediatric treatment. For more information, visit http://www.kiwanis-ny.org/kptc/events.htm
2. Kamp Kiwanis:
   Kamp Kiwanis is a camp owned and operated by the New York District Foundation. The camp gives a great experience for youth, adults and those with disabilities. Check out: http://www.kiwanis-ny.org/kamp/
3. Local Causes:
   Local causes is exactly what the name says! Does your local animal shelter need extra funding to fix up its basement due to flooding? Do you want to contribute to a scholarship for someone who passed away in your town? This project is meant for Key Clubbers to help out within their communities doing different projects that benefit their community.
4. Pediatric Lyme Disease Foundation:
   This Foundation is mostly funded through donations from Kiwanis Clubs- let’s help out as well, Key Club! It is a scary possibility to consider for the New York State residents who enjoy spending time outside during the summer months. Lyme disease may affect the brain in many ways. This Project was set up to help pay for medical treatment for treatment for children with this growing disease since treatment is so expensive and many insurance companies DO NOT pay for it.
5. Alzheimer’s Association:
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   Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that affect over 5 million Americans everyday. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. There is no cure, and it is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Visit them at: http://www.alz.org/index.asp
6. Foundation Fighting Blindness:
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   The urgent mission of the Foundation Fighting Blindness, Inc. (FFB) is to drive the research that will provide preventions, treatments and cures for people affected by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), macular degeneration, Usher syndrome, and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases. Over nine million Americans of every age and race suffer vision loss from these blinding diseases. For more information, check out: http://www.blindness.org/
7. American Cancer Society:
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   American Cancer Society supports many various kinds of cancer: from breast cancer to leukemia. For more information on the society, stop by: http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp
8. Operation Smile:
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   Throughout the world, Operation Smile volunteers repair childhood facial deformities while building public and private partnerships that advocate for sustainable healthcare systems for children and families. Operation Smile creates smiles, change lives, and heals humanity. Their website, with pictures, interactive videos and more information is: http://www.operationsmile.org/
9. U.S. Africa Children’s Fellowship:
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   The U.S. - Africa Children’s Fellowship, Inc. is dedicated to expanding and enhancing the education of children. You can be a pen pal to a child of Africa, and support the children to go to school by donating school supplies and money. For more information, use this website: http://www.childrensfellowship.org/
10. Multiple Sclerosis Society:
    The National MS Society helps each person address the challenges of living with MS through their 50 state network of chapters. They offer a variety of programs and services to help those with MS meet their needs. Visit them at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/index.aspx and then search for your local chapter for more information on how to help.

The New York District Board has issued a challenge for all of you this year: to raise $125,000 for the District Project Charities. If we work together, I have no doubt that with our great efforts in fundraising that this goal will be reached, but even be surpassed. We can do it!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact your respective Lieutenant Governor, or, of course, me!

Yours in Caring, Service and Dedication,

Amy Kong
New York District Projects Chair