Fundraising goes nuts

Inspired by a KIWANIS magazine ad touting Kiwanis Peanut Day, the Kiwanis Club of Antipolo West, Philippines, cultivated its own fundraiser, capitalizing on the Kasoy nut, a cashew-like delicacy found almost exclusively on the islands.

Kasoy nuts, similar to cashews, packaged for sale by the Antipolo West, Philippines, Kiwanis club.

Nagged by a shortage of funds for its service projects, the club met over coffee and nuts in September 2004 for a brainstorming session on how to reap some cash. Several ideas were tossed around, and when one member suggested marketing the popular Kasoy nuts, then-president Porthos Alma Jose proclaimed, “This has got to be it!”

And how were sales? In a word: hot.

A test-market batch of 100 packs of Kasoy nuts was snatched up almost instantly, with the mayor of Antipolo grabbing 50 of them for the city’s annual fiesta. A week later, a second order of 500 packs was prepared, and sales have been regular since. Proceeds are earmarked for the club’s Young Children: Priority One projects, including support for a program that feed children who are living in the city’s Habitat for Humanity enclave.