I don't exactly know how to write this, but strongly feel that I must. I just returned from attending the VCU (Virginia Commonwealth University) opening of the "Mary and Frances Youth Center, the home of the Lobs and Lessons and other youth programs" in Richmond VA. This vignette is not about those youth programs. It's about being a Kiwanian.

A little background of why I was at this activity. As incoming district trustee for the Heart of Virginia Region, I was invited along with two other Kiwanians from the Colonial Heights club (Jim O'Connell and Dusty Anderson) to the open house and dedication of this facility. The hope of VCU is that we Kiwanians might accept the "Lobs and Lessons Program" as a regional project. Some of the principals at VCU were very knowledgeable of our work for the Family Care Center, Pediatric Trauma Center, at the VCU Medical College of Virginia. They believe we might be a good partner for this current VCU project: Lobs and Lesson.

What was amazing at the five-star gathering that evening was that KIWANIS was in the spotlight. The organizers of this event did a first class job of recognizing Kiwanis and what it stands for. I was kind of a "marked man" during the social hour. Several individuals zeroed in to tell me how much they appreciated Kiwanis considering this project. They understood the goal of Kiwanis of "Serving the children of the world" and they hoped they would be a good match for our efforts. The VCU president, Dr. Trani, sought me out in the group to talk to me about the fine work we had done in the Family Care Center and how he hoped we would take a good look at this new project. The head of the Genworth Financial, Mike Frazier, made it a point to talk to Kiwanis about working to help children. The mayor of Richmond, Doug Wilder, came over to my table to talk to me about Kiwanis and its presence in the city. Everyone seemed to know about Kiwanis. No one asked the question "What's Kiwanis?"

It was overwhelming. It's the first time I've been to a non-Kiwanis evening where just about everyone knew about Kiwanis. Folks were going out of their way to court our organization. It's very obvious VCU and Genworth Financial would like us to be a partner in this latest venture. I made no commitment other than (1) we would take a very close look at this particular program, and (2) we would like to find another region-wide program to support in line with our mission. I also told them we needed a representative to come to our Division Council meetings to explain fully what this program was all about and how we could partner with them. They made it clear they would be happy to come when and where we asked them.

Again, my point is not the program. My point is that someone expended tremendous effort to educate a lot of people about Kiwanis and they, in turn, did a magnificent job extolling Kiwanis. I've never been prouder or more humble in being a Kiwanian! It was an amazing experience. There were 180 folks at the event, many of whom are very important business and social leaders of Richmond. And "Kiwanis" was among those being recognized as a most significant part of the evening.

I don't know about this proposed project. But I do know we as Kiwanians have a great opportunity to be a more important part of fabric of VCU and Richmond than perhaps we had ever known. Someone out there loves us. We need to take advantage of that love!