Kin Canada

Disaster Relief

Every year, Kin clubs contribute millions of dollars to Canadian communities with all monies raised in the community, staying in the community. Last year, more than $15 million was raised; to say nothing of the countless hours spent planning and carrying out the many fundraising and service projects. The national Association does not receive money raised in the community. Kin Headquarters and its programs and services are financed through the members' annual dues along with some revenue from such activities as the internal sales division.

• In February 2010, Kin Canada contributed $52,900 to the Canadian Red Cross for Haiti earthquake relief. The donations included $42,900 raised by Kinsmen, Kin and Kinette clubs and a $10,000 donation from Kin Canada. In addition, the federal government matched the Kin Canada donation dollar for dollar.

• In January 2005, Kin Canada (Kinsmen and Kinette clubs) made a $48,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross for the tsunami relief in Southeast Asia.

• Kin Canada raises on average $1 million annually for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, making Kin the largest single fundraising organization for CF research in the world. Since 1964, Kinsmen and Kinettes have donated more than $33 million towards CF research.

• In 2002, Kinsmen and Kinettes donated more than $73,000 to the Hay West project. This project brought hay from Central and Eastern Canada to western farmers whose fields were suffering from drought conditions. Kinsmen and Kinettes in Alberta also assisted with a benefit concert to raise funds and awareness to the plight of farmers in Western Canada.

• August 2003 saw devastating fires rip through British Columbia leaving many homeless or living in shelters. In less than a day, Kin pledged more than $50,000 and 30,000 pounds of beef to help feed firefighters and those in shelters.

• In 2003, BBQ Canada, an initiative of Kinsmen and Kinettes, supported the ailing beef industry in Canada. On Labour Day, Kin clubs and groups across the country, hosted free barbecues to show the world that Canadian beef is safe and that they support the Canadian Beef Industry. This one-day event set a new Guinness Book of World Records by serving more than 280,000 individuals a beef product.

The millennium is already proving to be a successful period for Kin. More than $33 million has been raised for cystic fibrosis, the Association’s new name Kin Canada was adopted, and more than $15 million was raised nationally in 2004 for community projects.

As the Association works its way through its eighth decade, many challenges are waiting to be met. Increasing the Kin presence in urban Canada, firmly establishing Kinettes as a leading women’s service organization and overall, increasing membership with a focus on retention, are issues of priority.

One thing is for certain. Kinsmen and Kinettes will respond to these challenges with a zest and enthusiasm. The Kin attitude is one that exemplifies a hands-on approach to service work. Not content to simply write cheques - if there’s work to be done, Kin clubs do it!

Self satisfaction, fun, personal growth - all ingredients in the winning Kin formula.