FAVORITE KEY CLUB MEMORY
My favorite Key Club memory is from when I volunteered at a food pantry at a local church I was able to physically pack and give boxes of food to less fortunate families and it felt really good to be a part of that. It felt more personal to see the people I was serving and to know what/how much they needed.
- Gabrielle Rivera, Div 17 LTG
My favorite Key Club memory would have to be during December when I had five clubs show up to my Divisional Council Meeting. We all brought stuffed animals, made tags for the animals including names and birthdays, and donated them to the local Children’s Hospital and Police Department. That day was amazing!
- Gavin DeVries, DCON Chair
My favorite memory was my first DCON. I learned so much about Key Club and it inspired me to run for LTG the following year.
- Cadnece Whitehouse, Div 9B LTG
My favorite Key Club memory comes from my first ever service project. We run Halloween festivities for all the elementary students at our k-12 school and I spent the day dancing with kids and passing out candy alongside my friends. This project turned Key Club from confusing meetings, trying to find my place, to a community where I find nothing but love and passion.
- Miiana Wahlgren, Division 2B
On the way to DCON, our bus broke down about halfway there; a delay that would last another two hours. The air conditioning was disabled and there was no shade to block us from the sun I spent my time fanning my fellow members with my leather jacket! When we finally left we all felt in a much better mood.
- Brayden Vanpham, Div 19B
My favorite Key Club memory was DCON 2024, especially House of Delegates. I loved watching the candidates present their campaigns!
- Salsabeel Eldeeb, Div 7 LTG
EXECUTIVE
Governor Alejandro Ganaza MESSAGES
Leaders of the MIghty Florida District,
I am so excited for you all to read the first edition of the Sunshine Source for this service year! We have an amazing group of individuals leading the district this year, and they are ecstatic to share their leadership skills and experiences with you all! I hope you all are having a well-rested summer (getting that tan and enjoying the crashing waves of all our coasts), and are preparing yourself for an amazing Key Club year. There are many things you can do with your club to keep summer service going. From beach clean-ups to book drives, I challenge you all to be creative and have fun while serving your home, schools, and communities!
In June, the Executive Board, Lt. Governors, and Committee Chairs traveled to Orlando for the annual Leadership Training Conference, where your leaders were able to learn more about their duties and engage in different training exercises I can say with full confidence we are ready to kick off another great Key Club year!
Every year, the District Governor selects a project for members to implement in their communities across Florida, the Turks & Caicos, and the Cayman Islands. This year, my Governor’s Project is Lit For Life, which is about ensuring that every child is given equal resources, opportunities, and exposure to literacy to succeed in their day-to-day lives. My Governor’s project also fits into the long-lasting goals of some of our International Partners including Schoolhouse and Erika’s Lighthouse! Here are some ideas for summer projects your club can do book drive, Read-A-Thons, PenPal systems, advocating for libraries, etc
f you have any questions about the Governor’s Project, please contact servicecommittee@floridakeyclub.org. I am so excited to see the creative service projects your clubs complete for this year’s Governor’s Project. Be sure to use #LitforLifeFLKC to share your service with the District!
I am confident that this year will be one for the books in our district With dedicated leaders like yourself, I know this district is ready to shine across Key Club International. If you have any questions, please make sure you are reaching out to your Lt. Governor, they will be able to advise you as necessary. If you need to reach me, my Instagram is @alejandroganaza and my email is governoralejandro@floridakeyclub.org. I hope to see you all working collectively this summer and enjoying the rest of your break!
Yours in service and friendship, Alejandro Ganaza governoralejandro@floridakeyclub org
Secretary Daniela Aguas
Hello, Key Club Members!
My name is Daniela Aguas, and I am a rising senior at Young Women’s Preparatory Academy (YWPA) in Miami, Florida. I am so honored to serve as your District Secretary this year. As District Secretary, I take board meeting minutes, manage district wide emails, and monitor Keymmunity forms When I’m not working on Key Club, you can find me at the beach, working out at the gym, or shopping with friends. I’m extremely excited to see all of the amazing service you do, and I already know it’s going to be an amazing year.
To my secretaries, don’t forget that June, July, and August Monthly Reports are due September 10th. Additionally, please remember to complete your Officer Information Forms (OIFs) as soon as possible. The information from OIFs makes it possible to contact you all about events like KCKC and Zone Rally, which I’m sure you’d want to go to! As always, I’m available for questions at secretary@floridakeyclub org, so never hesitate to reach out.
Have a great summer, Daniela Aguas secretary@floridakeyclub.org
Treasurer Issa Allison
Hello, Leaders,
My name is Issa Allison, and I am truly honored to be your 2024-2025 District Treasurer! My duties as District Treasurer include managing the finances of the Florida District, being a resource for understanding paying dues, applying for FLOF, or any other financial related questions in Key Club. Outside of Key Club I love hanging out with friends, playing video games, competing in Model United Nations, and procrastinating IB work.
To all Club Treasurers: You should start planning out fundraisers with your club board & faculty advisor to create a plan for attending DCON and financing service events as soon as possible!
Getting started early is a great way to keep your duties organized Some fundraisers you can start planning out now are themed bake sales and share nights/share-it-nights at local restaurants. Summer is a great time to attend meetings with your sponsoring Kiwanis club to foster a stronger connection with them. At these meetings you could explain fundraising ideas your club has and ask for any fundraising plans from them, which can make them more inclined to financially support your club later in the year. Also, make sure you have a plan for collecting dues and sending them in prior to November 1st in order to get your clubs Early Bird banner patch at DCON. I’d recommend collecting all dues for your club late september/early october, working with your faculty advisor to have receipts done for every paid member, updating the Membership Update Center with paid members, and paying the invoice or sending a check (needs to arrive prior to November 1st) in the middle of October.
I hope everyone’s summer is relaxing, but don’t forget about conducting service events during then before the next school year starts. The Florida Opportunities Fund (FLOF) is a great way to finance your service events for the upcoming year (still open for projects starting AFTER October 1st), something to keep in mind for extensive projects your clubs may want to do To my fellow rising seniors, let's finish the bulk of our college applications now so we don’t have to stress later As always, feel free to reach out to me if you ever have any questions or want to chat!
Yours in Service, Leadership, and Friendship,
Issa Allison treasurer@floridakeyclub.org
Editor Willow Young
Hello, Florida District,
Welcome to the first edition of the Sunshine Source for the 2024-2025 service year! I am Willow Young and I am so incredibly honored to be serving as your District Editor I am a rising senior, the lead singer/keyboardist of my own band, super passionate about Key Club! As District Editor, my responsibilities include creating District publications and helping all of you with any editor needs you may have. My main goals this year are to revamp the Florida District blog, encourage member representation in our publications and social media, and to give every club Editor the resources and assistance they need to not only succeed, but thrive!
I am so excited to see all of the amazing things we accomplish this year and look forward to the service and leadership ahead. If you ever have questions or need advice, please reach out!
Yours in service, leadership, and friendship, Willow Young editor@floridakeyclub.org
Want to see yourself on the DISTRICT BOARD? DISTRICT BOARD?
Anyone can run! Reach out to your Lieutenant Governor to learn more about the job or contact our Executives and Committee Chairs. Make sure to stay updated throughout the year and keep an eye out for future Sunshine Source articles on running for higher office!
Webmaster Eleanor Koh
Hello, Leaders of the Florida District,
My name is Eleanor Koh and I am honored to have the opportunity to serve as your 2024-2025 District Webmaster. I hope everyone is enjoying their Summer break! Know that I am always here if you ever have any problems with Keymmunity, the District Website, or anything else.
Please make sure that all club secretaries and presidents have access to Keymmunity. I also encourage all clubs to consider creating their own websites to act as a resource for current Key Clubbers as well as for future members. This will help to raise awareness about Key Club and impact that service has on our communities Always feel free to reach out at webmaster@floridakeyclub.org and I cannot wait to see everything the Florida District will accomplish this year!
Yours in Service, Friendship, and Leadership Eleanor Koh webmaster@floridakeyclub.org
Executive Assistant Rose Khosh
Hello, Florida District!
Yours in service, Rose Khosh ea@floridakeyclub.org
My name is Rose Khosh and I am your Executive Assistant! I am so excited to work with all of you this year. A little bit about myself: I am an incoming senior, I have danced ballet for 14 years, I love to go on walks, last year I served as the Division 14A Lieutenant Governor, and this year I am also serving as your Governance Committee Chair! I am so honored to be part of the board again! My main goals are helping the Executives, Lieutenent Governors, and Committee Chairs with anything they may need 07
24-25 Governor’s Project Lit For Life
Each year, the Governor of the Florida District chooses a specific theme that clubs can base their service projects around. This year, the Governor's Project is "Lit for Life" which focuses on ensuring every child is given the opportunity to foster proper literacy skills
ACCESS
COMMUNITY EXPOSURE
Providing opportunities through: book drives, exchanges, and fairs.
Developing strong relationships through a shared love of literature.
Exposing our community to literature through clubs, workshops, and talks.
Remember to show off your service with #LitForLifeFLKC! Those who add to the hashtag will be featured in future publications!
More information and resources for the Governor’s Project can be found on the District website. Questions? Reach out to the Service and Partners Chair Diyora at serviceandpartnerschair@floridakeyclub.org
DCON 2024 REACP
“Adventures in Service!”
This past April, members of the Florida District of Key Club met in Daytona Beach, Florida to celebrate a fantastic year of service. Listening to a keynote speech, making plastic yarn, attending workshops about anything one could need, and celebrating with like-minded individuals, over 1,000 attendees enjoyed this four-day adventure!
On night one, attendees wore their Key Club spirit gear, met Ronni Hawk, heard speeches from higher officer candidates, and enjoyed a meet and greet with karaoke, friendship bracelets, and photo booths!
Friday was full of Zone Caucusing, House of Delegates, service projects, awards, and the Entertainment Assembly!
Look out for
On Saturday we enjoyed workshops, main sessions, retiring of the 2023-2024 District Board, announcement of the elected District officers, and the Governor’s Ball! Congratulations to all outgoing and incoming board members.
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
Doral Academy Key Club
“Doral Academy Key Club members helped the underprivileged community through arts and crafts, food distribution, and prayer service. By partnering and collaborating with Brothers of Benevolence, we sought to provide spiritual and mental enrichment to overlooked members of our community by fostering personal communication.”
“Throughout the duration of this week long event, it served as a summer camp to provide entertainment for these individuals, and allowed them to see their value whilst encouraging our own members to recognize their own. We managed to limit the stigmatization of homelessness and promoted individuality. ”
Pictures and text provided by Doral Academy Key Club
KIWANIS FAMILY MESSAGES
Prairy Riehl
Hello, Florida Key Club,
My name is Prairy, and I am the Governor of the Florida District of Kiwanis until September 30, 2024. At that point, I will hand the honor to my husband, Jeremy, who will continue to work with and support you all throughout his term as Governor Jeremy and I have 4 kids – Xander (9), Noah (8), Skyla (6), and Raheem (5) and we hope that they will grow into amazing, servant-minded leaders like yourself.
I came into the Kiwanis family as a Builders Club advisor when I taught Middle School Math Over these last 18 years, I have seen the huge impact that the Kiwanis family has on the lives of children and adults Not only do you get the opportunity to participate in amazing service projects, positively impacting the lives of others, but you also develop great friendships with each other and the other branches of the Kiwanis Family. These connections are the reasons why the Kiwanis Family is the best service organization in the world!
One of my five goals is to improve the relationship between the various branches of the Kiwanis family. We often focus on the Kiwanis – Key Club bond, as Kiwanis clubs learn how to better support you in your passion for service This bond is very important, and I hope it will continue to grow However, I would like to encourage you to also build connections with the other branches of the K-Family, through partnerships with CKI Clubs, Builders Clubs, K-Kids, and even Aktion Clubs in your area. The Key Clubs in your Zones can attend meetings and events organized by these branches of the K-Family, or even plan events for them to join you in service and fellowship. In doing so, you will be empowering the next generation to also grow up with a love for service and desire to help those around them. We appreciate you and the millions of leaders who have gone before you, defining the path to Build a Better World.
Yours in Service, Prairy Riehl
Governor of the Florida District of Kiwanis Prairy.Riehl@gmail.com
CIRCLE K INTERNATIONAL
Jose Mendez
Hello, Florida Key Club!
My name is Jose Mendez and I am the Circle K International (CKI) Florida District Governor for the 2024-2025 service year!
I hope you all are enjoying your summer break During this summer break I hope you are taking time to relax, do service, and prepare for the service year ahead.
uring the summer months and as you enter the new school year I encourage you to find CKI Clubs near you You can also contact me at governor@floridacirclek org to help connect you with your local CKI Club CKI Clubs engage with service like all of you. We are always looking to work with Key Club in our service projects so that we can combine our efforts to make positive change in our communities.
We are also willing to be mentors. As CKI members, many of us have been Key Club members, and all of us have been high school students who have been in your shoes. We have all taken AP classes, studied for the SAT, and applied for college and scholarships. While these are stressful situations that each student goes through, you do not have to go through them alone You can connect with CKI members who went through what you are dealing with now only a few years ago. Some just a few months ago.
The goal in Florida CKI in regards to working with Key Club is focused on three main areas. First to engage you all in service, second to act as mentors, and third, to welcome you to CKI when your time in high school and Key Club ends. I look forward to meeting many of you this year as I travel across the state of Florida engaging with CKI, Key Club, and Kiwanis on trying to make our homes, schools, and communities, a better place
Yours in Service, Jose
Mendez
Governor of the Florida District of CKI
governor@floridacirclek.org
BUILDERS CLUB
Channing Helms
Hey, Florida Key Club!
This year, our Builders Club at school tackled some awesome projects! One highlight was participating in Montverde’s Kiwanis family one day with our Builders Club, along with our K-Kids, Key Club, and sponsoring Kiwanis Club. Another project involved organizing a charity bake sale to raise funds for a local animal shelter, where we designed and painted signs to attract customers and promote our cause It was amazing to see how teamwork and creativity can make a positive impact on both our school and community!
An
excited future Key Club member, Channing Helms Montverde Builders Club
Collaborating with other members of the Kiwanis Family is a great way to elevate your impact! Consider inviting your local Kiwanis to service events or including K-Kids or Builders Club members in your literacy-related projects. Serving in Key Club is all about including and connecting with others!
Pictured Above: Left - Zone J LTGs at Kiwanis DCM with CKI Governor Jose
Right - Zone E LTGs at Division 14 Kiwanis DCM
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS
Key Club
MAJOR EMPHASIS
Erika's Lighthouse aims to ensure no young person feels alone in their depression. This nonprofit organization encourages good mental health and strives to break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
Erika's Lighthouse is dedicated to creating a community of empathy and education.
Key Club has partnered with Schoolhouse to bring free tutoring to thousands of learners across the world. A platform for free, peer-to-peer tutoring where you can receive help, build skills, and pay it forward.They're driven by a mission to connect learners with safe, equitable opportunities to learn, teach, and grow.
Thirst Project hopes to educate the next generation by arming students with information about how they can be a part of social change, make a difference and encourage others to join in the effort.
UNICEF helps to provide for children’s needs in more than 150 developing countries through community-based services in primary health care, basic education, and safe water and sanitation.
International
YOUTH OPPORTUNITY FUND
The Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) is a grant sponsored by Key Club International that provides Key Clubs between $250 and $2,000 for a service project.
YOF grants are given only to Key Clubs. Grants are not given to divisions or districts.
There are two opportunities per year to apply for a grant from the Youth Opportunities Fund.
Make sure to apply before the deadline for the first YOF cycle on October 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Grant basics: Requirements:
Applications are reviewed by a Key Club International Board committee.
Have Key Club member engagement
Fill a need within your community
Support activities within at least one Kiwanis Children’s Fund cause area: health, education or youth leadership development.
Spend the grant money within 12 months of when the grant is awarded.
Visit the Key Club International website to learn more about our partners and the Youth Opportunity Fund!
ICON RECAP ICON RECAP
ATLANTA, GEORGIA ATLANTA, GEORGIA
The 2024 Key Club International Convention was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Around 30 students from across the Florida District met for the Florida District ICON Tour from July 7-14 for a week full of fun, service, and leadership. Attendees enjoyed water park visits, shark sightings at the Georgia Aquarium, and leaning all about Coca Cola at their museum!
ICON is a celebration of the service year and all of the accomplishments made by Key Club members around the world Check out some awards the Florida District earned!
Robert F. Lucas Outstanding Lieutenant Governors: Daniela Aguas, Alyssa Amador, Avery Brown, Emily Castillo, Melissa Dahmer, Gavin DeVries, Alejandro Ganaza, Melissa Ghorbani Farajzadeh, Diyora Hamzaeva, Aspen Hess, Rose Khosh, Luna Llano, Aaliyah Mathew, Iris Munoz, Lim Nong, Alexa Perez, Sehar Sarang, Sadhana Tanksali, Leah White, Cadence Whitehouse, Makaela Willis
Congratulations to all award recipients!
DistinguishedAwards:
Governor - Ishitha Panguluri
Secretary - Yuwei Huang
Editor - Ethan Koh
OutstandingDistrictOfficers:
Kylie Lusk, Willow Young, Eden Sterk, Nika Kea Chheng, Shreya Shanmugam, Quinn Morrison
Once at the Convention, members enjoyed hearing from renowned Keynote speakers, attending workshops on topics from presenting to service projects, and listening to campaigns from International Board candidates from around the planet. Our members loved connecting with like-minded students and some Kiwanis celebrities!
Congratulations to the Florida District’s own immediate past trustees Allan An and Alex Trinh for a successful year and to 2023-2024 Division 9A Lieutenant Governor Aspen Hess for being elected as a trustee for the 20242025 International Board! We are so proud of all of your accomplishments!
SERVICE SPOTLIGHT Manatee Key Club
“Key Club members from Manatee Key Club participated in Anna Maria Oyster Bar's weekly ”Dive Into Reading” event this past month. Dive into reading provides elementary aged children with the opportunity to work with a mentor once a week during the summer. The program targets children enrolled in summer school at title I schools. Each week, the students look forward to breakfast and reading with their mentor at local restaurants. The students and their mentors focused on building relationships while combating the dreaded "summer slide". Manatee Key Clubbers performed a cumulative 51 service hours through this project in the month of June!”
- Madison Walker, Manatee Key Club Representative
We love to see the impact of individual clubs around the District! Every service projects is important and deserves to be celebrated. Fill out the Service Spotlight form on the Florida Key Club website to be featured in the next issue of The Sunshine Source!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Executive Committee:
Governor Alejandro Ganaza governoralejandro@floridakeyclub.org
Secretary Daniela Aguas secretary@floridakeyclub.org
Treasurer Issa Allison treasurer@floridakeyclub.org
Editor Willow Young editor@floridakeyclub.org
Webmaster Eleanor Koh webmaster@floridakeyclub.org
Executive Assistant Rose Khosh ea@floridakeyclub org
Administrators:
DistrictAdministratorHeatherLocke heather@floridakeyclub.org
AssistantDistrictAdmin.AlanQuon alanquon@floridakeyclub.org
AssistantAdministratorJoseLeoncio jose@floridakeyclub.org
FinanceAdministratorSteveLeblanc steve@floridakeyclub.org
Florida District of Key Club International Published July 2024