Rotary Club of Warren

On Sept. 19, 2019, I received an email from Marco Herrera from Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.   He found me and our Club information in the “Rotary Club Locator” app and reached out because they were hoping to buy a fire truck which was being auctioned off by the Warren Township Board of Trustees.    They held a fundraiser in July and managed to raise around $18,000 U.S. dollars to help cover the cost of the fire engine and transportation costs from Warren to Guatemala.

 

They needed help in verifying the state of the fire truck (how it runs, if the pump is working properly, etc.), our own Warren Rotarian, Anthony Iannucci, was able to have some Warren City firefighters take a look at it and confirmed that the truck 1992 Pierce Dash Engine was in pretty good shape.  They reported this vehicle drove well, has good brakes, has a solid frame, and the pumps worked well.  Other than some surface rust, they felt this fire engine was in good condition for its age.  They, of course, could provide no guarantees.

 

Marco bid on the engine and they won the bid!!   So they (3 Rotarians & their fire chief) all traveled to Warren to pick-up the truck, enjoy some local flavor and attend our Rotary meeting on Weds., Oct. 16th!  

 

During our Rotary Club meeting we exchanged banners & gifts and the following day we took them out to dinner.   All I can say is that it was an evening that I will remember forever!   We laughed (a lot), exchanged stories, shared cultural experiences, talked about our families, learned about each others Rotary Club traditions and it was like we had all known each other for a very long time, but essentially we were strangers.   We definitely left as friends, friendships that will last a lifetime.     Borders may divide us but Rotary connects us regardless.   This is truly a perfect example how “Rotary Connects the World”!!!!    I left in tears (happy tears) ❤️

 

Teri L. Surin ~ President 

Rotary Club of Warren