Wilton Kiwanis 20th Annual Citrus Sale

KIWANIS LAUNCHES 20^th
CITRUS SALE

by Ray Moskow

“Win, Win, Win” declares Wilton’s Kiwanis Club as they launch the
charitable foundation’s 20^th annual Community Citrus Sale.  Kiwanians say “Win, Win, Win” because Wilton area residents have the opportunity to purchase or
donate the freshest Florida

This fruit sale tradition has grown into a significant
portion of Kiwanis’ annual donations, thanks to thousands of residents purchasing
extra for friends, and family; businesses and organizations buying large quantities
to recognize employees and clients, and the many generous supporters directing
fruit to be donated to those in need.  As
a result, Wilton Kiwanis Club will deliver a large supply of this coveted fresh
citrus to local food pantries and shelters throughout the area.

The Fruit:  Tree ripened pink grapefruits, Valencia oranges and honey tangerines are handpicked
and packed in Vero Beach, Florida,
and driven in a refrigerated truck directly to Wilton for immediate distribution. Kiwanis
stands firmly behind the product and your satisfaction, and offer 8 choices of
packaging combinations ranging in price from $25 to $40. The average purchase
has grown over the years as people realized if the fruit is kept in a cool
garage or refrigerator crisper (45-60 degrees), it will remain fresh and juicy for
three months.

Where Does
the Income Go?  100% of the
Citrus Sale net proceeds are distributed to local area charitable causes at the
direction of the Kiwanis Board of Directors. Over the years, financial support
has been provided to such established non-profit organizations such as Visiting
Nurse and Hospice, The Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Domestic
Violence Crisis
Center, Child Guidance Center,
Wilton Youth Council, Norwalk Emergency Shelter, Trackside Teen
Center, Bridgeport Rescue
Mission and many, many more. Kiwanis looks primarily to
assist those in need, suffering, or discomfort, especially the children and
elderly of our community. Lesser contributions support civic and community projects,
maintaining the Kiwanis Club as a respected Town Citizen. In addition, Kiwanis often
partners with a number of established organizations to share proceeds from
fruit sales for their own charitable missions. This year, for example, the
Youth Groups from three Wilton Churches will join the sales effort to raise
funds needed to provide hands-on relief assistance to Staten
Island residents recovering from Super-Storm Sandy’s devastation.

How Does
One Order, Take Delivery and Help Raise Funds? Orders may
be placed in a variety of ways:

• Log on
       to www.wiltonkiwanis.org and
       place an order using credit card or paypal.

• 
  Print order form from www.wiltonkiwanis.org and mail form with
  check or credit card info to Wilton Kiwanis Foundation, P. O. Box 204, Wilton, CT 06897
• 
  Pick up a printed Order Form in person at The Wilton
  Bank, Peoples United Banks, the Wilton Library, Stop and Shop and the Wilton
  Family Y.
• Fruit will
       be available for pickup at the ECS Transportation facility located at 390 Danbury Road
       (formerly Goetjens Movers) directly across from the High School, at the
       following times:
• Friday,March 1^st       9:00am to
  5pm
•  Saturday,
  March 2^nd  9:00am to 5:00pm
•  Sunday,
  March 3^rd     12:00pm to
  5:00pm

• 
  Orders for 6 or more cases can be delivered, if
  desired.
• 
  Questions can be directed to citrus@wiltonkiwanis.org, or to
  Chair Jeff Turner at 203-981-6398

What
Motivates Kiwanis to Do This Work? Wilton Kiwanis has a
long tradition of serving the community since its founding in 1951. The Club
stands on three mission pillars: community service, altruism, and camaraderie.
Men and women of all ages and from all walks are actively serving Members.
Early and substantial Kiwanis Club projects included the donation of land to
establish the Wilton Family Y and Little League baseball fields, the purchase
of Wilton’s first ambulance, the creation of
Merwyn Meadows, the Historical Records room at the library, and the Visiting Nurse & Hospice
Pediatric Center.  Sixty two years of Wilton history are dotted with hundreds of
Kiwanis projects, causes, functions and contributions.  Selling citrus and sharing the profits widely
is simply one way the Club affirms its citizenship and reaches out to help
those less fortunate or in need. Wilton Kiwanis is one the largest of nearly
200 Kiwanis chapters in New England, and
supports Kiwanis International projects such as the recent defeat of Iodine
Deficiency Disorder, and the current Eliminate Maternal Tetanus campaign.  Members also work together on a wide range of
hand-on service projects, meet weekly for lunch and camaraderie, hear guest
speakers on current and interesting topics, and plan upcoming service
activities.  The Club is always seeking
new Members with a conscience for their community. For membership information,
please contact Jeff Turner at 203-981-6398.