With everything we hear about troubled youth today, it was a delight and an honor to walk into a classroom at Juanita High School at 7:15 a.m. and see the room filled to capacity with about 50 high school students in all grade levels. They were there to attend their weekly Key Club meeting, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland. These kids are very active in supporting their community and have shown their dedication by participating in numerous programs throughout this year. One such event was the Trick or Treat for Eliminate Project.

While other high school students were at parties or hanging out with friends on Halloween, these key club members along with the Juanita High Honor Society were Trick or Treating – not for candy – but for dollars that would support the Kiwanis International/UNICEF Eliminate Project. This group of kids raised $2,250.87 that will be donated to the Eliminate Project. One student alone raised $250 by himself.

Kiwanis International, whose motto is “Serving the Children of the World” and UNICEF, an organization dedicated to saving and improving children’s lives, mostly in underprivileged countries, have joined forces to support the Eliminate Project. The goal of this program is to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetnus globally. This deadly disease steals lives of nearly 60,000 innocent babies and a significant number of women each year. The effects of this disease are excruciating the babies and their mothers.

The students of Juanita High School Key Club and Honor Society made us proud! These kids gave of their time to contribute to something that that will have an effect world-wide. They showed what a dedicated group of students can do in one evening.

Thanks to these high school students, their advisors and the KCK for making this happen for Eliminate.

If you would like more information about the Kiwanis Club of Kirkland, visit our website or call Matt Gregory, Secretary at (206) 851-5585.