November is Rotary Foundation Month. The Rotary Foundation transforms your financial donations and talents into projects that change lives both in our communities and around the world.  Through the foundation, we have a global network of Rotarians investing in Rotary’s priorities to include eradicating Polio and promoting peace around the world.  The grants that we can receive through Rotary empower us to work towards overcoming challenges like poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition and the eradication of disease.  As a charity, Rotary International has a stellar rating, strong financial oversight and makes the most of your financial gifts.  Every Rotarian, Every Year initiative annually asks all members to donate to the Annual Fund and take part in at least one Foundation project or program yearly.   This is in our annual budget and this year, we have made a $1000 donation to Shelter Box (for more information on Shelter Box, please check the Rotary.org website).  This donation was made through the Rockford Rotary Club, who hosted fundraisers throughout the year so that a matching grant could be requested through the District.  So, the Rotary Club of Comstock Park’s donation becomes $2,000.  When a Rotarian makes a financial donation to the Foundation, it is invested for three years and then comes back to us through district grants.  Please check out https://my.rotary.org/en/participate/support-our-foundation/annual-fund and I challenge each one of you to please consider a donation to the Foundation this year.

This month, we celebrate Thanksgiving and what we are grateful for.  I am grateful for our Club and each and every one of our members.  It is with your commitment to our Club focus and goals, our fellowship, our desire to serve our communities and make the world a better place, that we accomplish the most.  Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families and our community! 

Thank you for all you do,

Diane Van Epps, President

Rotarian Spotlight