Kiwanis International Pursuing Second Worldwide Servi...( NASHVILLE Tenn. June 27 -- In 1994 K...),Health

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In 1994, Kiwanis International made a pledge to help protect children from the scourges of Iodine Deficiency Disorders in its first Worldwide Service Project. Now, with the majority of the world's children protected against IDD, Kiwanis is inviting organizations, institutions and individuals to propose a project to become the global service organization's second worldwide service initiative.

"We live today in a world of need," said Kiwanis International President Don Canaday, of Fishers, Ind. "People suffer debilitating and deadly diseases that need treatment or cure. Children live in poverty and go hungry, absent access to education, help and hope.

"Today more than ever Kiwanis is needed to help ensure that families and children have food, clean water, a safe and secure shelter," said Canady.

Solutions, Canaday added, will require many hands, many nations, many years, but small differences can set in motion a cascade of significant change.

"One hand outstretched becomes two becomes four, becomes eight. Borders, boundaries and cultures are crossed and change becomes a cause, a commitment and, eventually, a cure," said Canaday.

In 1994, Kiwanis committed to help protect children against IDD, the leading preventable cause of lifelong mental and physical disabilities. Today, the organization, with its 8,000 clubs in 70 nations and geographic areas, is taking the next step in its journey to change the world for children and communities -- Kiwanis is asking its members and others to propose its next Worldwide Service Project.

"Kiwanis has achieved its goal to virtually eradicate Iodine Deficiency Disorders," said Rob Parker, CEO of Kiwanis International. "Today, our partner in that effort, UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund) estimates the number of households consuming iodized salt has jumped from 20 per
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