Staff Report
It may surprise you to find out your New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation is well known in The Republic of Tuva, Siberia, Russia. The name has been spread by the local television news; key government officials proudly wear our foundation pins and, now, our logo appears on every package of iodized salt produced in Tuva. They know all about us because Jerry Brenner (Lambertville Club), Wayne Walters (Randolph Club) and John Green (Somerset Hills Club) have done so much to help them iodize their table salt and establish a program to help eliminate the high incidence of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) common to the area. They also know about us because of the clothing, playground equipment and toys purchased to help a psychoneurological orphanage located in the (tiny) village of Derzik-Oksy and about an hour and a half from the capitol of Tuva. The children in this orphanage are living below poverty level and need help.
Brenner and Green are planning to return to Tuva next April with some more help for the children in the orphanage. They are going back because they have seen the need. They also understand the government of Tuva is poor and has no money available for new or extra programs. There is an urgent need for more clothing, bedding for 160 beds, a commercial freezer and cows. Yes, 5 cows that will produce milk to help nourish 127+ children that often don’t have enough food to eat. About $20,000 is needed to do all that should be done.
If you want to be a part of this effort, simply write a check to: "N.J. Kiwanis Foundation - Tuva" and mail it to John Green at 412 Pittstown Road, Pittstown, NJ 08867. It is recommended that people and clubs wanting double value for their money send their donations early. A generous local foundation, that prefers to work anonymously, has pledged to match all individual and club donations until their combined total reaches $4,000. These are "tax deductible" contributions and all donors will receive receipts for their records.
To give you a point of reference, a milk cow costs $330.00 (10,000 Rubles) and we need five of them. Bedding costs $10.00 (300 Rubles) for each set and we need 160 sets. Clothing is always necessary and we haven't given any for two years. The most expensive item is the commercial freezer and it is critical. The extreme temperatures in Tuva sometimes exceed 100 degrees (F) for weeks at a time. That makes it difficult to preserve meats and vegetables when they are abundant. Food donations during hunting season, fishing runs and crop harvests can’t be stored without a freezer and some of these foods spoil. At other times of the year, the children go hungry!
For what it’s worth, every cent you donate will go directly to help the orphans. There is no "overhead." Participating Kiwanis members (Brenner and Green) pay all their own expenses. That’s as good a return on your investment as you will ever find! Clubs wishing more information can arrange for a program by calling Brenner at (609) 466-1622 or Green at (908) 735 2683.
