Kiwanis Step Up to Help AEF
Hundreds of Alamedans showed up for the Kiwani’s 58th Annual Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, the proceeds of which are being donated to the Alameda Education Foundation.
“We chose AEF as the recipient of this year’s proceeds because our goal is to save the children of the world,” Richard Kim, president of the Alameda Kiwanis Club, explained. “And when we saw what was happening with the school budget this year, we knew this was where we could help.”
The event drew some 525 people, Kim says, which is more than twice the usual number. “We feel really good about that because in addition to raising the profile of the Kiwanis in the town, we think we’ve helped raise the profile of the foundation.” While the final numbers have not been compiled, the group’s website reports that the proceeds for AEF will be more than $5000.00.
“It was clear to me in getting to work with the members of Kiwanis, that they truly live by their mission of ‘changing the world one child and one community at a time,’” AEF executive director Brooke Briggance said. “Their list of contributions to Alameda is extensive and impressive - everything from Relay for Life to clean-up projects around our city. The Alameda Education Foundation is truly grateful to be the recipients of their 58th Annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.
“Moreover,by ‘Stepping Up’, the Kiwanis have shown Alameda their commitment to our local schools and the 10,000 students they serve.
Two Raiders football players—John Wade and Zach Miller—were on hand to sign autographs, as were Raiderettes Alli and Allysa. Raiders team members have attended the breakfast in the past as a way of supporting the community. But this year they also showed up to mark the launch of a new partnership between the AEF and the football team, which includes an “Alameda Game Day with the Raiders” on November 2nd.
“I’m very concerned with the potential loss of athletics in Alameda’s schools,” said Zach Miller, who plays tight end with the Raiders. “I grew up playing basketball and soccer, and doing wrestling, track, and gymnastics. It taught me how to do the best I can, how to be competitive, how to constantly try to get better. It helped me in my classroom work, too.”
Added John Wade, the team’s center, “I was always involved in sports in school. I can’t imagine high school, especially, without it. Athletics keeps kids well rounded.”
While the football players signed autographs and talked to community members, the Raiderettes walked from table to table, greeting children and grown-ups alike. “We support the foundation because we know it’s a good cause,” explained Raiderette Alli, who works as an architect when she’s not cheering on her team. “Education is so fundamental to what we need to succeed as individuals and create positive communities.”
Al Wright, who organized some 50 Encinal and Alameda High Key Clubbers to do all the busing, dish replacements, coffee-tea-juice-water services, and clean-up at the event;
Lisa Anderson, who coordinated all raffle prize donations and deliveries;
Richard Kim, who secured appearances by the Oakland Raiders and Raiderettes;
Kristi Perkins and Dawna Dowdell, who organized the ticket and raffle sales;
Lynn Styne owner of the Marketplace’s A Season to Taste) and Georgia Petrie, who managed the kitchen operations, including all pancake flipping;
Russ Grant, who organized the PR events, as well as supervised the food line;
Octavio Guzman of LaPinata #3 Restaurant, who donated all the food for the event;
Barbara Capon, who created the lovely table centerpieces from her garden;
April Hughes, who organized raffle ticket sales on the floor;
Kiwanis volunteers Kendra Holloway, Larry Powalitsz, Bob Larson, Jackie Green, Matt Marriot, Diane Lichtenstein, Tom Meloy, and Leslie Hodgkins.
Thank you, all!
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