Putting in the time
Golden K members give thousands of hours towards helping community
It’s impressive to say the very least the amount of time our Kiwanis Golden K members spend faithfully serving our local communities.
According to the annual report of 2015-2016 alone, 8,428 hours were spent volunteering with 2,832 individuals, often serving on many committees at once, freely volunteering their time. Kiwanis Golden K’s 23 committees each have an appointed chairperson and that individual gathers a group of fellow members to assist. Here’s a look at several of the committee’s and what they do.
The blood pressure clinic committee was established to provide a valuable service and to relieve some of the load on the public health care system. It’s held weekly on Thursdays, 2-4 p.m. at the Mayflower Mall but not during the summer months. There are always two KGK committee members and a registered nurse at each clinic.
The nurses take the blood pressure and our members are responsible for setting up and taking down tables, recruiting patients and attending to other needs that arise. Many of you have already availed yourselves of this opportunity over the years. Advocating for our own health in these days and times is vital and opportunities like these, free of charge blood pressure clinics, are a golden opportunity for everyone.
Our hospital greeters committee runs a program in conjunction with the officials of our regional hospital. After the necessary training which includes hospital etiquette, hospital layout, emergency requirements and so forth, members are situated near the entrance to the hospital. Their “job” is to assist visitors, patients, deliverers and anyone who may not be familiar with the hospital.
Not knowing exactly where to go or which elevator to take, can be daunting for any of us. Hospital greeters can alleviate that stress. Kiwanians may also assist you in getting proper coinage for parking and sometimes must give gentle reminders of hospital
rules. Our members serve on Wednesdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. You’ll know us by our Kiwanis Golden K jackets, crests and wide-open smiles.
The scholarships/bursaries committee of Kiwanis Golden K proudly provides annual scholarships/bursaries to graduating students of Riverview, Glace Bay High, Breton Education Centre, Sydney Academy and Memorial High School. We work closely with school officials on these awards which have set criteria.
A letter explaining our process along with applications were sent earlier this year to each high school scholarship committee chair for disbursement. The bursary/scholarship winners will ultimately be selected by our Golden K committee and are granted, based on financial need, the student’s marks, and their personal community contributions.
Each student is directed to send their application to the Kiwanis Golden K Club by April’s end.
There will be at least one $1000 scholarship/bursary to Riverview, Glace Bay High, Breton Education Centre and Sydney Academy. A transcript of marks and acceptance letter from the university/college that the student will attend must be included.
There will be two Memorial High Vocational bursaries of $500 each. One will be for a male and one for a female student residing in either Sydney, Glace Bay, New Waterford, Dominion, Louisbourg, or the south side of Cape Breton County.
Memorial staff will choose their winners and advise our Golden K committee chair of their names. All successful students are requested to attend a portion of one of our regular Monday Kiwanis meetings to address the club. These visits from talented, deserving young people are always a highlight of our Golden K year.