Twelve years ago I was leading a Heaven on Earth workshop in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) when a thought popped into my head, “Prince Edward Island is Canada’s First Heaven on Earth Province.” I loved the idea and declared it, out loud.
Over the years that declaration has grown with an expanding number of Heaven on Earth projects, by different people and groups. I’ve already written about a lady who sells teas and has blended a special Heaven on Earth tea, about my interview with all four of the political party Leaders on PEI speaking about what Heaven on Earth is for the province, and about a jewellery store owner who hands out the 3 Heaven on Earth Questions with each purchase.
This week I want to tell you about the Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown’s Heaven on Earth Leadership Award. (Charlottetown is the capital of PEI.)
Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization with over 600,000 volunteers whose Mission is: “Kiwanis empowers communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children.”
The Kiwanis Vision: (which for me is a direct Heaven on Earth statement) “Kiwanis will be a positive influence in communities worldwide – so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive.
Gail Lecky and Basil Hambly of Kiwanis Charlottetown found out about Project Heaven on Earth and thought it would be an excellent vehicle to further the organization’s purpose.
In order to challenge youth to build a better world Kiwanis of Charlottetown has set up The Heaven on Earth Leadership Award in every public and high school in the province. Students are asked to come up with a project that will further Heaven on Earth, do that project, and then submit the results to be considered for the award. The Award information is here (see third tab over).
This week’s video is an interview with one of this year’s Award winners, Haley Willis. Haley talks about what she and a group of her fellow high school students did as part of their Leadership class to fundraise for Anderson House, a provincial emergency shelter for women and children who are in need of safety because of violence in their lives.
Thank you Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown and to Haley Willis and her class mates for being Heaven Makers.
Why This is Important: All over the world, Service Clubs play a very important role in helping people join together in giving back to their community. They strengthen the ties that bind us as Humanity.
Imagine the impact of other service clubs in the world (such as: Rotary, Lions, Optomist International, Civitan, Sertoma, Zonta, Quota International, etc.) also contributing to creating Heaven on Earth.
Action Step You Can Take:
Talk to your local Kiwanis club, or any other service club, and ask if they would like to set up a Heaven on Earth Leadership Award for students. Make sure you tell them about the 3 Heaven on Earth Questions so members of the club can discover what Heaven on Earth is for them and begin making that real. Here are the Questions.
Let me know what happens. I’d love to share it in a future blog.
Thanks,
Martin
Please share this with one or two people you think may be interested.
Martin Rutte
