I am learning so much from working on this newsletter.  When someone says bugs, my first thought goes to creepy crawlers, not “Bring Up Grades”
 
The B U Gs project is a branded Kiwanis program, which means the Mighty Siesta Key Kiwanis Club is not the only club that runs this project.  Our B U Gs project is at Wilkinson Elementary, which is a Title One School.   A Title One School is a school that has about 80% free or reduced meal programs.  B U Gs is for grades 1-5.  What the kids have to do to be recognized is bring up or maintain an A/B average.  For some kids that may be easy, but for others it may be extremely hard.  At the end of the grading period we (Kiwanis) make a really big deal for the kids that have succeeded in bringing up their grades.
 
At the June 1st B U Gs Day, there were 120 kids; remember that was grade 1-5.  They got a certificate with their name on it and gift cards.  This year they got a gift card to Applebee’s for a free ice cream and a gift card to Out Back Steak House.  I would have been tickled for free ice cream.
 
This year we had two members that had never gone to a  B U Gs presentation.  The member I talked to, Steve Stonecipher was excited and said he could not believe how happy the kids were to get a certificate with their name on it.  The younger ones did not know how to shake hands, but they all tried and all said “Thank you” and had big smiles.  Steve Stonecipher, Bill Irish, Carman Ramsey, and Mary Lynn all say the smiles are worth it!!!  You have to remember, this may be the only award some of these kids may get.  The B U Gs project is very rewarding and satisfying, not only for the kids but for the Kiwanians.
  
A big thank you to everyone involved in this project.