Rotarians on Thursday, January 15 received the excellent news that the Club had garnered a $25,000 matching grant in support of its project to build a school for the people of Ile Vache, Haiti. (Photo: A local fishing boat in Ile Vache, Haiti)
 
Rtn. Stephen Cooper said the grant comes from a private foundation and expires at the end of 2009. He thanked Past President Michael Riegels for helping to secure the generous donation.

Meanwhile, club members also heard an update on the return voyage of the two private boats which sailed to Haiti in December to deliver outboard motors and other goods donated to the people if Ile Vache. Karen Troy, a local lawyer and crew member of one of the boats, described the positive impact that the outboard motors will have on the people of Ile Vache.

Anyone interested in helping organize a welcome-home reception for the two yachts, or assisting with the school building project, should contact Rtn. Stephen Cooper.

The project and voyage is receiving a great deal of interest from the media, including All at Sea and a mega-yacht publication called The Triton, as well as the local press.