Over 80 Rotarians and guests attended the 2018 District 7070 the Rotary Foundation Luncheon Celebration, on Sunday May 6, 2018, at the Scarborough Golf & Country Club as they honoured recent donators to the Rotary Foundation, and listened to our own Ron Denham talk about this exciting new Major Gifts Initiative opportunity for making a positive difference in the world. Read more, right here, to get all of the details....
The 2018 District 7070 Rotary Foundation Luncheon was a celebration event, which recognized all Arch Klumph Society, Major Donors, whose gifts or commitments were $10,000.00 or greater. We also recognized two new Paul Harris Fellows for their generous contribution to The Rotary Foundation.
Our host, District 7070 Rotary Foundation Chair and Past District Governor Michael Bell welcomed everyone to this celebration as he introduced all of the Rotary dignitaries. He remarked that we are all VIP's for our support for The Rotary Foundation.
District Governor Neil Phillips welcomed District Rotarians and thanked them for their generous donations.
Afrosa Begum and Zinat Halim of the Rotary Club of Toronto Danforth both received their Paul Harris recognition awards.
Major Donors to the Rotary Foundation were also honoured: PDG Ted and Sharron Morrison (RC Oshawa-Parkwood) as Level One Major Donors and Bob and Kathy Wallace (RC Port Hope) as Level Two Major Donors.
Ian Lancaster and Jane Wheeler (RC Toronto Sunrise) were honoured as Arch Klumph Society recognition awardees.
District Governor Elect Mary Lou Harrison presented to Past Rotary International President Wilf Wilkinson, a cheque from District Designated Funds of $25,000 to be used for the Peace Centres.
District Governor Nominee Designate Mark Chipman presented to Past Rotary Foundation Chair, Dr. Bob Scott a cheque from District Designated Funds of $30,000 US to be used for the PolioPlus campaign. Dr. Scott noted that there have been 8 new cases of children being paralyzed from polio in 2018 - 7 in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan. Some children are being missed in these two countries. He also noted that 8 volunteers have been killed while administering the vaccine in the last 12 months. But our resolve remains steadfast. We will get ahead and will we eradicate polio.
PDG Ron Denham, Chair Emeritus of WASRAG (Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Group) introduced the audience to a new Rotary Foundation Major gifts Initiative - WAS MGI - Water and Sanitation Major Gifts Initiative. The objective is $25 million US (in 3 years) and we are already halfway there. He noted that 663 million people lack access to safe water. That is down from 1.5 billion in 2000. BUT 2.4 billion lack adequate sanitation facilities and that number is the same as it was in 2000. The consequences - 8,000 people, mainly children die every day. Women still have to carry water for 6 hours a day. Girls miss school classes and teachers too. Over 40 billion hours are spent annually carrying water.
Global grants have helped with grants such as WASH in Schools. From 2014 thru 2017, $74 million has helped fund 1,061 WASH projects.
When water is available, we have liberated women from hauling water. Rotarians have helped these ladies start businesses which leads to a better life, livelihood in the community.
WAS MGI (water and sanitation major gifts initiative) - A Rotary Foundation program for major donors with Endowed and Term Gifts., The Goal of $25 million over 3 years with Spendable earnings for Global Grants in Annual Programs Fund.
The earnings from the donations will support Global Grants in the water and sanitation area of focus. Funds will be used for WinS, USAID, Vocational Training Teams and a major project soon to be announced in Haiti.
Howard Bak of the Rotary Club of Willowdale, made a donation of $10,000 to Ron Denham for the WAS Major Gifts Initiative.
Be sure to go to the District 7070 website and view the photo album of the 2018 District 7070 Rotary Foundation Luncheon.
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Here is a presentation of WAS MGI: