The 1,200,000 women and men of Rotary have accomplished extraordinary things. They’ve taught millions of people to read, worked toward world peace and have nearly eradicated a crippling childhood disease from the face of the planet. But each of them knows they could have accomplished so much more if only there were 1,200,001.

Find out the impact one person – you -- can make in the world and in your own community. Visit a club near you and learn more about becoming a part of Rotary.

This announcement is part of a district-wide membership campaign funded by a grant from Rotary International and the generous contributions of the clubs in our district.

Rotary International President D.K. Lee has asked each Rotary club to “Make Dreams Real” for the children of the world, focusing on those under five years of age.

When President Lee heard that, in the 21st century, there are 26,000 children who die each day from preventable diseases, he decided to martial the forces of Rotary to improve the situation.

DK Lee asks that each Rotary Club initiate a project to reduce child mortality in the area of water, literacy or health and hunger. For example, clubs can buy mosquito nets, send books, donate food, or build wells for clean drinking water.

A CD of child mortality projects will be produced by District 5650 to help clubs celebrate their success at the end of the Rotary 2008-09 year.

In 1985 there were 350,000 children paralyzed by polio each year. In the 20 years since then, Rotary has contributed manpower, supplies and over $700 million dollars toward eradicating polio. This effort has prevented 5 billion children from being maimed (or worse) by this disease.

Last year, there were 1313 cases of polio worldwide. The last 1% of polio cases are found in Nigeria, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has just given Rotary a $100 Million Challenge Grant to help finish off the campaign. Each Rotary club is asked to raise a minimum of $1000 per year for the next three years in order to match the grant. Club are encouraged to ask new members to contribute (those who’ve joined since 2003) and to hold community fundraisers to spread the word about this cause and let the public participate in eradicating a disease in our lifetime.

District Zambia Project

District 5650 has a five year Matching Grant commitment to the Sons of Thunder Mission near Livingston, Zambia. The Mission includes a 10,000 acre farm, a medical clinic, an orphanage and a school.

Clubs are asked to make contributions which are then matched at the District and International level so that $5000 turns into $17,500. Year One was spent on medical and educational supplies and Year Two we drilled borehole to provide safe, clean water for drinking and for growing crops.

District Governor Sharon Wherry is seen here with some of the 50 orphans at the Mission who are entranced with the digital camera.

Clubs are encouraged to continue their contributions to this most worthy cause.

Newsletter Article Assignments

 

2009 District Conference

Photo Album

 

 

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