Latest news with #KeithSaunders
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- General
- Winnipeg Free Press
The gift of giving
East Kildonan Keith Saunders has known hard times. Perhaps that is what motivates the former Canadian and world champion to feed people in need. Several times every year, Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy at 350 Dowling Ave. E, prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission. Together with his students, he serves up to 300 people each day. His latest meal was served on June 22. Saunders said his work often takes him past Siloam Mission. He said his heart went out to the people in line. Supplied photo Keith Saunders, master instructor and owner of Saunders Taekwondo Academy (350 Dowling Ave. E), prepares and serves meals to visitors at Siloam Mission throughout the year. One time, he saw a woman he knew in the line. She had left an abusive relationship and was starting over. 'My heart was broken; I had to stop,' Saunders said. 'From that time on, I made a plan to share whatever I have with these people.' Those plans began modestly. Saunders would take food from work parties, get folks to chip in, and shop for a little more. He prepared dinner at home and served it at Siloam Mission. 'I think it's necessary to do,' Saunders added. 'One time, I figured it cost me two bucks a person. I fed 250 people for $500. That's not bad.' For June 22's menu, Saunders cut a deal for 50 pounds of fresh pork and made stew and sandwiches. He added 300 eggs, 100 hamburgers, 100 hot dogs, potato chips, Rice Krispies cake, banana bread and water. He needed a rental truck to transport the feast. Part of the ethos at the Saunders Taekwondo Academy is self-improvement, both physically and mentally. Saunders encourages his pupils to give their time and money. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. Over the years, Saunders has seen several people he knew in line, including cousins. He also knows that he could have easily been one of the hungry himself. In the early 1990s, Saunders was beginning his plumbing career and was struggling to find work. His truck broke down, and he struggled to pay his living expenses. 'I couldn't ask for help,' he recalled. 'I was hungry and desperate for four or five months. I was thinking about eating dog food. I know what it's like to be hungry. I don't want these people to go to bed hungry. We can all help them with food and water.' Saunders said the need is all around us. He's helped students' parents with groceries. At Christmas, he mobilized his crew, and they delivered a hamper containing $1,500 worth of groceries to a Ukrainian newcomer family. Through his taekwondo connections, he's delivered necessities to people in Cuba. 'It's hard for me to walk away,' Saunders concluded. 'I want my students to know the gift of giving, to show them stronger people with bigger hearts. I truly believe it comes back to me.' Tony ZeruchaEast Kildonan community correspondent Tony Zerucha is a community correspondent for East Kildonan. Email him at tzerucha@ Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bill to require state universities to report foreign funding moves ahead
Iowa lawmakers moved a bill to committee Tuesday that would require state colleges to create annual reports on foreign funding. (Photo illustration with Capitol photo by Iowa Capital Dispatch and background via Getty Images) Members of an Iowa House Higher Education subcommittee passed legislation Tuesday that would require universities to report foreign funding, something an Iowa Board of Regents representative said institutions already do. House Study Bill 54 would require state universities to craft annual reports on foreign funding amounting to $50,000 or more, including its total, source and purpose. Foreign sources are defined in the bill as foreign governments and their agencies, legal entities formed by foreign governments, non-American citizens and those acting on behalf of foreign agencies. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Funding the universities would be required to report include contracts, gifts, grants, payment for services, capital investments, wages and salaries, among others. An exception to this named in the bill is a foreign natural citizen's payment of tuition and other fees to attend a state university. Universities would need to produce the report by Dec. 31 each year and have it accessible online by Jan. 15 annually. The bill also gives the attorney general authority to compel universities to provide these reports. Iowa Board of Regents State Relations Officer Keith Saunders said during the subcommittee meeting state universities already complete reports similar to the one proposed in the legislation twice a year, which they provide to the federal government. The board agrees with the spirit of the bill, but they've offered an amendment to fit its language with what the board already reports to the U.S. Department of Education, 'if it still exists,' he said. When asked whether the board of regents has seen any foreign interference in state universities, Saunders said he can't recall anything beyond an instance of intellectual property theft at Iowa State University some years ago. 'We work very closely with all levels of law enforcement to ensure that nothing (happens),' Saunders said. Andy Conlin, representing State Shield, said during the meeting there are gaps in federal reporting that lead to a lack of knowledge about what exactly foreign funds are going toward and who they're from, and this legislation will help fill those gaps so state lawmakers can know more about these interactions. State Shield is an advocacy organization that stands against 'CCP threats to U.S. peace, security, and values,' according to its website. Thirteen states currently have bills applying to foreign funding at public universities, Conlin said. Rep. Ross Wilburn, D-Ames, asked fellow subcommittee member Rep. John Wills, R-Spirit Lake, and subcommittee chair Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, if higher education committee chair Rep. Taylor Collins, R-Mediapolis, has spoken with the attorney general's office about this and other legislation pertaining to them, and said staff there should be given notice. Shipley said he's happy to look at any 'friendly amendments' to the bill that help fulfill its goal of providing the Legislature and public with more knowledge about university funding. 'I think it's a very interesting area,' Shipley said. 'You said that it's already duplicating something, it could be some useful information so we're aware of what is occurring.' The bill will move to the full Higher Education Committee for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
