After a very successful Luz McPherson Relief Fund project, there were others in dire need and our club felt the need to do more.

In February of 2003, the Kiwanis Club of Burbank approved a proposal by Board member Stephen Veres to establish a continuous fund to help local needy families who are in dire need.  It was named The KCAC Fund (Kiwanis Cares About Children).

The first family we helped under the new KCAC project was Mike Hele and daughter Allison. Who can forget Mike and Allison Hele? 

An inoperable tumor on Mike’s neck spread to his vocal cord.  Months of radiation and chemo treatments could not control the spread of the cancer.  On November 19, 2003 at the USC County Medical Center a team of surgeons performed a 10-hour life saving surgery.  Mike had his tongue, larynx and voice box removed in order to stop the spread of the cancer but most of us knew that this surgery was futile.

Mike passed away in July of 2004 but our club was with him to the very end carrying out his wishes to find a nice home for Allison and to take care of all legal matters.  We did all that and much more!

And the support continues with the generosity of our club members and friends because with us, “Children are Priority One!”