When the Florida Kiwanis Foundation was created in 1971, one of the driving forces was Robert W. Thal from the Jacksonville area. Robert W. Thal dedicated his life to giving to those in need and is a shining example of the Kiwanis spirit.  It is fitting that we honor Robert W. Thal with the creation of the Robert W. Thal Life Fellow program.  This program seeks to draw attention to those select Kiwanians and friends of Kiwanis that have shown their dedication to the mission, focus, and high ideals espoused by the Foundation and to Kiwanis in general, by contributing to the Sustaining Member program for 20 years or more.  Membership is open to those that wish to speed up the clock and contribute a lump sum of $500 less $25 for each year they have contributed to the Sustaining Membership program. For example:  If a Kiwanian has contributed to the Sustaining Membership program for 12 years ($25 x 12 = $300) he/she could join the Robert W. Thal Life Fellowship by making up the difference in a lump sum payment ( $500 - $300 = $200).