Issue 11, February ‘15

Table of Contents

1.  Editor’s Remarks 2. Service Project 4. Food Recovery Run 5. The NYCKI Games 6. Spotlights 7. Upcoming Events 8. Be My Valentine?

Forever Alone Yeah, it’s that time of the year again;

when couples are giving each other butterfly kisses and linking arms while spending an

obscene amount of money on chocolates that are way too small for such a big heart. What

am I talking about? I’m talking about the one day of the year where my best friends go

by the name of Ben & Jerry – Valentine’s Day. Thankfully, February 14th is only one

day this month because the Bearcats of Circle K utilized the other 27 days in helping others through one of our tenants – service!

Let’s just skip over this holiday and move on to the most important one – Parade Day! J

-Kanye West

2014—2015 Executive Board President: Jerry Cimo Treasurer: Kristy Wolfson Vice President: Amy Boglarski Editor: Alyssa Famolari Secretary: Tina Lee Webmaster: Tinali Amarasinghe

BearKats Monthly

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 12, members of Binghamton Circle K made paracord bracelets to send to U.S. troops as part of Operation Gratitude.

Operation Gratitude is the NYCKI District Project that works to send more than 150,000 care packages annually to U.S. Service

Members deployed overseas. Paracord bracelets are made of military-grade paracord tied together to be worn as a bracelet. In emergency situations, the bracelets can be unwound to provide several feet of paracord and save lives. After watching an instructional video, we

began making as many paracord bracelets as we could. Some members were amazing at making them (shout out to Wenna) while

others, including me, struggled but still had fun.

Written By

Julia Dunnigan

Overall, I think everyone enjoyed learning how to make these super useful bracelets for an amazing cause. Even members of the

University Police Department got involved! In my opinion, it was one of the best service projects of the year. But, let's be honest, all of the

service projects are awesome.

…  let's be honest, all of the service projects are awesome.

OMG, Paracord Bracelets!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My name is Gabriella Swete and I have been participating in the Food Recovery Run at the CIW dining hall this semester. Basically, other

Binghamton Circle K members and I package up leftover food from the dining hall so that it can be taken to CHOW, which is the local food pantry

to provide food for the less fortunate.

Written By

Gabriella Swete

…  I can see firsthand how what I am doing is improving the lives of others.

I like that I am actively being a part of helping other people and I can see firsthand how what I am doing is improving the lives of others. The food that we package up goes to people in the local area who do not otherwise have the

means to provide food for themselves and their family.

You Look Like You Like to Recover Food

 

 

 

Are you prepared to volunteer as tribute this March? More importantly, how excited are you to see all of your Circle K buddies? It’s both a gift and a curse that our district’s so large, but it’s weekends like District Convention (DCON)

that give us the chance to bond and enjoy each other’s company. #KiwanisFamilyForever

I am personally inviting you to the 53rd Annual New York District Convention, or as all of the cool kids call it, “The NYCKI Games.” This is a weekend where you get to wrap up the amazing service year, celebrate your

service, leadership, and fellowship, and prepare for the next service year. Any workshop you’d ever want, will be there (maybe not “Twerking”, but I’m

working on that), you’ll have the opportunity to run for District Board position, and to participate in more than a handful of service projects. You think that’s it? No, boo boo, you can partake in many fellowship games and

activities and make a bunch of new NYCKI friends!

This year’s DCON is going to be in the Hilton Albany in Albany, New York from Friday, March 20th until Sunday, March 22nd. Mark your calendars, baby,

because I know you’re already packing your bags! Head over to www.dcon.nycirclek.org for more information on registration, applying as a workshop presenter, facilitating a service center activity, and so much more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February’s event spotlight lightens up the moments of our Governor’s Project Candy Gram Fundraiser! Thanks to our Committee Chair, John Albergo,

Binghamton University students were able to send cute little candy grams to their friends or to that really cute kid in class. While it was exciting to make the actual candy grams themselves, the true fun laid in the delivering of the candy grams.

Seeing the faces of people receiving them was priceless. Personally, I think I gave one to the wrong person, but oh well. I made some strange girl’s day! Kudos to this

event for raising so much money for the Governor’s Project!

This month’s member spotlight brightens up the faces of two people – John Tirino and Eric Ravens. These two lovely guys have been continuously helpful and

involved in our club since the beginning! Even though Eric is the guy that interrupts the meetings with his tardiness, he is still engaged in the meetings and service

projects. John enlisted a driver for our trip to District Convention – his mother and her minivan. To be honest, this spotlight should go to his mom, but I’ll let John

share it with her. John is the reason 5 members have a ride to DCON and we thank you for that! John Tirino’s mom, you the real MVP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District Convention Service Day March 1st

12:00 – 5:00 PM Marketplace

District Convention March 20 – March 22

Albany, New York

Backpack Program March 4th

4:00 – 6:00 PM Johnson City High School

In the words of Britney Spears, “Gimme More”

Food Recovery Run

March 4th 5:30 – 6:30 PM

CIW Dining Hall

Service Auction March 13th

5:00 – 8:00 PM Mandela Room

Volunteer!

Let’s

Endicott Visitor Center March 7th

11:30 AM – 3:00 PM Endicott, New York

Krispy Kreme Sale March 10th & 11th 12:00 – 4:00 PM Tillman Lobby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International Project Committee Chair Nicole Radova

Service Project Committee Chair Melissa Levine

Fellowship Committee Chair Julia Dunnigan

Bake Sale Committee Chair Angela Wu Historian

Karandeep Singh Public Relations Committee Chair

Jenna Spak Governor’s Project Committee Chair

John Albergo District Project Committee Chair

John Tirino

If you’re interested in applying for International Awards, please visit:

http://www.circlek.org/Leadership/Conventions/InternationalConvention/CKIx15.aspx