Scratching the surface

If you read the front-page article on the Kin Clubs of Notre Dame celebrating their 35th anniversary you'd think there's nothing left to say about the impact their contributions have had on the community of Lewisporte and neighbouring communities.

In fact it only scratches the surface of what the members of the Kinsmen, Kinettes and K-40 have set out to do over the years. As guest speaker for the anniversary celebrations on May 15, the Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector Dave Denine pointed out, that many of the past-presidents of these clubs might be hard pressed to recall everything that was accomplished during their presidency because there was just so much happening.

All you have to do is look through the pages of The Pilot over the years to see the history of the Kin in Notre Dame unfold. Whether it be walks for cystic fibrosis research fundraising, coordinating the Kinsmen Happy Tree project, donating funds from the Kinsmen/Co-op 50/50 fundraiser, supporting the 617 Dambusters Air Cadet Squadron, organizing and taking part in Pennies From Heaven, marching proudly in the Remembrance Day parade, providing the use of the Kinsmen Centre for community/non-profit events, or hosting a bingo - the work of the Kin of Notre Dame never stops. And it's not like they are complaining about it. In times of immediate need they are there to do what they can to support individuals or families facing difficult circumstances. They can put together a dinner in record time that results in much-needed financial aid at a time of great difficulty for the people who will be on the receiving end.

Kin Family is an accurate way to describe how they interact with each other as well. Having worked with two members of the local Kinsmen and Kinettes the comradery is evident in how club members pull together when there is a job to be done. The work is not left to a select few. The responsibility is assumed by the membership and that likely has to be one of the biggest contributing factors to their success over the past 35 years and what will keep them on the path they are on for the next 35 years,

Lewisporte and area should consider themselves lucky to have the Kin Family of Notre Dame in their corner. As was pointed out at the anniversary celebration, try to imagine how life in our communities would be different without them.

The next time you see a Kinsmen or Kinette taking part in a community event or fundraiser, why not stop to think about just what it is they are doing and what they have done for your community in the past. Our support of the Kin initiatives will help fuel the fire and allow them to continue doing what they do best, "Serving the communities greatest need."