Rotary District 5050 Governor's Message
Dear Rotary Friends,
Many Rotarians in our District have asked about how Rotary is supporting those who have been affected by the wildfires in Maui and the Northwest Territories, as well as how Rotarians can give. Let me share with you several ways you can help.
The best resource, in my estimation, is the Disaster Relief Fund of the Rotary Foundation. The foundation provides support in three phases.
- Immediate response: Local clubs and partners immediately offer helping hands and supplies.
- Short-term assistance: Clubs and districts help affected communities wherever we can through funds and materials to re-establish day-to-day operations.
- Long-term rebuilding: Clubs plan and implement projects that rebuild affected communities.
The website for the Rotary International Disaster Relief Fund is https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/disaster-response. You can specify what region or disaster you want to support.
Rotary District 5000 is the Hawaiian Rotary Clubs. They have established a disaster relief fund for those affected by the Maui wildfires. You can donate at https://rotaryd5000.org/
We have also heard the devastating news of the evacuations underway due to the wildfires in the Northwest Territories. Our hearts go out to those displaced and having to leave their homes without any understanding if they will survive the wildfires. If you wish to help, you can donate to the United Way NWT Emergency Response Fund, https://nwt.unitedway.ca/2023-emergency-response/, through this Canada Helps link. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/90073?v2=true.
You will find a letter attached from the District Governors in Districts 5040, 5050 and 5060 regarding the wildfires in British Columbia. These wildfires directly affect Rotarians in Districts 5040 and 5060. Some Rotarians have either lost their homes or have had homes experience a lot of damage. I am working with the District Governors of those regions.
Rotarians are people of service. This is a time when your financial resources can make a huge difference in the lives of others. Let's make a difference. Thank you.
Warmest regards,
David Lukov
Rotary District 5050 Governor 2023-24
Mount Vernon Rotary Club