A man was walking on the beach at sunset. As he walked along, he saw another person in the distance. He notices them leaning down, picking up something and throwing it out into the water, again and again. As he approached even closer, he noticed the person was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach. They were throwing them back into the water one by one.
Puzzled, he approached the person and said, “Hello, I was wondering what you are doing?”
“I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean. It is low tide and all these starfish have washed up onto the shore. If I don’t throw them back into the ocean, they’ll die from lack of oxygen.”
“But there must be hundreds of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly get to all of them. And don’t you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”
The person bent down and picked up yet another starfish and threw it back into the ocean. With a smile, they replied, “Made a Difference to That One!!!” ______________________________________________________________________________
This is the basis of Kiwanis…Improving the world ONE child and ONE community at a time… Each child sponsored in a Service Leadership Program Club…each story read to a preschool…each backpack of food packed…each bicycle rodeo/safety event…each dollar raised…each scholarship given (and the list goes on and on…)… IS A STARFISH.
My theme this year, Many Hands…Making A Difference… honored, highlighted and celebrated all that you all do everyday in your Kiwanis Clubs. This year has been amazing and one of the most profound experiences of my life. Being able to share this journey of service with you all…seeing and participating in several of your service projects and celebrating the impact you all make in your respective communities was absolutely remarkable. I learned so much from you all. Never underestimate the profound difference that you make every day. You will never know the impact or the ripple of the difference you are and will make.
This is my last blog as your District Governor. But this is NOT the end of the story…As the sun sets on this Kiwanis Year, another year is dawning with renewed excitement and opportunities to serve your communities. Keep shining…keep growing…keep serving.
Thank you for this opportunity and honor to serve as your District Governor over this past year.
Last Updated: September 27, 2026 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
YOU MAKE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE…
A man was walking on the beach at sunset. As he walked along, he saw another person in the distance. He notices them leaning down, picking up something and throwing it out into the water, again and again. As he approached even closer, he noticed the person was picking up starfish that had been washed up on the beach. They were throwing them back into the water one by one.
Puzzled, he approached the person and said, “Hello, I was wondering what you are doing?”
“I’m throwing these starfish back into the ocean. It is low tide and all these starfish have washed up onto the shore. If I don’t throw them back into the ocean, they’ll die from lack of oxygen.”
“But there must be hundreds of starfish on this beach. You can’t possibly get to all of them. And don’t you realize this is probably happening on hundreds of beaches all up and down this coast. Can’t you see that you can’t possibly make a difference?”
The person bent down and picked up yet another starfish and threw it back into the ocean. With a smile, they replied, “Made a Difference to That One!!!” ______________________________________________________________________________
This is the basis of Kiwanis…Improving the world ONE child and ONE community at a time… Each child sponsored in a Service Leadership Program Club…each story read to a preschool…each backpack of food packed…each bicycle rodeo/safety event…each dollar raised…each scholarship given (and the list goes on and on…)… IS A STARFISH.
My theme this year, Many Hands…Making A Difference… honored, highlighted and celebrated all that you all do everyday in your Kiwanis Clubs. This year has been amazing and one of the most profound experiences of my life. Being able to share this journey of service with you all…seeing and participating in several of your service projects and celebrating the impact you all make in your respective communities was absolutely remarkable. I learned so much from you all. Never underestimate the profound difference that you make every day. You will never know the impact or the ripple of the difference you are and will make.
This is my last blog as your District Governor. But this is NOT the end of the story…As the sun sets on this Kiwanis Year, another year is dawning with renewed excitement and opportunities to serve your communities. Keep shining…keep growing…keep serving.
Thank you for this opportunity and honor to serve as your District Governor over this past year.
Category: Governor Blog
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