My name is Kim Muslusky, and I am recently retired. I’ve been a member of the Rancho Bernardo Sunrise Rotary Club since July, 2014.
I have always enjoyed finding ways to give back to the community; especially when it means interacting with children. I’ve been a big sister, mother, grandmother, soccer coach, and Girl Scout leader. I’ve worked in special education, and was the Rotary Interact Advisor at Mt. Carmel High School.
Rotary…it has been a constant in my life since 1993. When one of my clients invited me to a Rotary meeting, I envisioned picking up some new customers for my art business. And though that didn’t happen, here I am 25 years later leading a much different life than I would have without Rotary’s influence.
For that I credit my being “voluntold” to take on the task of International Director…a job nobody else wanted. All I can say is WOW!
At my very first District Conference I learned about the Thousand Smiles Foundation; caring for children living with cleft palates and facial deformities that made it hard for them to be seen, let alone to thrive.
Diving right in, I attended a clinic in Ensenada…and was hooked. From that day forward I found my calling, helping underserved kids to become whole over the course of 2…5…even 10 surgeries within a few short years. We save lives with free surgery, dentistry, orthodontia, speech therapy and audiology care.
Though I’m not a medical professional by any stretch, I’ve volunteered my time, treasure and energies to the Thousand Smiles Board of Directors for many years. I’ve become the clinic manager; coordinating with Rotarians in Mexico, and arranging lunches during the clinic for 250+ patients and volunteers.
I handle the advertising, organize displays, make T-shirts, and arrange for crafts to keep children’s minds engaged all day. Still, my favorite tasks remain face painting and nail polishing, giggling with the girls in the afternoons and receiving their hugs.
No, there’s never a language problem at this level. I can tell you…there is no greater feeling in the world than knowing you’ve made a positive difference in these young lives.
I constantly raise funds for this incredibly worthy cause, and know that I – Kim Muslusky – have truly made a positive difference in the lives of thousands of people over the years.
What started as a desire to expand my professional network has evolved into a set of more important priorities in my life. The traveling, new friends, and amazing experiences I’ve had, have permitted me to expand my outlook on life, and introduce me to situations I never imagined possible.
Never again will I wonder what it’d like to have tea with Jozef Stalin’s interpreter, or to meet Mia Farrow. Rotary has made me a citizen of the world, and I’m grateful for it.
You should come over to the Rancho Bernardo Country Club some Tuesday morning at 7am and let me tell you about it in person. I’ll be happy to introduce you to some of my good friends in the room, and open your eyes to opportunities professional and personal you may not have realized even existed.
Or learn more at www.rbsunrise.org. You’ll be glad you did.