Our Rotary Foundation

Our Program focused on Our Rotary Foundation.  Ron Bedell reiterated some statistics about the Lebanon Club’s TRF giving in 2019-20
  • Our average annual per Rotarian giving is 3rd in the District at $289.00
  • Our total giving of $13,020 was 1st in the district
  • Including PolioPlus, our total giving was $17,280, also first in the district. 
Most Lebanon Rotarians gave during Foundation Month, November each year, gifts which cover the Rotary year (July-June).  If you gave in November, Ron would not have sent you another reminder.
 
Marilyn Bedell then presented a brief program that shows how our donations to The Rotary Foundation are put to use. Of note in particular is that TRF has add a SEVENTH AREA OF FOCUS:  Supporting the environment.
 
 
For the 12th consecutive year TRF was rated “4 star” (*highest) by Charity Navigator, an organization that ranks charities on their responsible operations.
 
 
Marilyn noted that Emily Gould a Montpelier Rotarian, has been working in Rwanda.  Emily was just awarded the Donald McRae Peace award from our Zone—a huge honor.  She has been working to get former perpetrators of genocide to work together with survivors who otherwise would have nothing but hatred for each other.
 
 
District 7850 participated in global grants in Ghana, Uganda, Honduras, Guatemala, India, South Africa, Nepal and Mexico.
 
 
District 7850 District Grants included the following:
  • 4 teacher scholarships – we allow the person to use the money for anything they need, even childcare, transportation, etc. to finish their educ exp.  We focus on teachers planning to remain in the classroom in D7850.
  • 133 solar water boilers in Kenya
  • Renovated trail system with  2 benches
  • (Lebanon) Refurbishing the community  room and distributing food gift cards at Romano Circle
  • Accessible playground
  • Food insecurity project
  • Refurbished old fire engine; provided breakfast at Town Meeting
  • Rebuilding playground
  • Non-disposable grocery bags distributed
  • Refurbish a community park
 
Eradication of polio is still our number 1 priority. Wild poliovirus is still circulating in Afghanistan and Pakistan where full population immunization as well as sanitation and health measures cannot be fully applied. Vaccine-derived poliovirus cases also are being dealt with. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is still our partner, matching donations 2:1
 
Peace Centers
Now 7 Centers:  latest one in Uganda focusing on Africa.
Rachel Brooks, our scholar, is studying at the University of Bradford and continuing to work remotely.
 
Marilyn’s last slide juxtaposed a septic system built in southern Vermont after Hurricane Irene, and a septic system built with Walter Hughes’s assistance in Ghana.  We can use Global Grant funds to make positive change here in the USA.  Paul T will ask Cameron to see if he can arrange Walter as a program for one of our Zoom meetings.