The month of May in the Rotary world is dedicated to Youth Services, and I thought I'd take this time to recognize a couple of our programs.
Our RYLA program finished up its second session in late April. While we haven’t fully recovered to pre-Covid levels of participation, we did have approximately 100 students in the first session and 140 students in the last session. The students came away very energized and ready to serve their schools and communities.
During the last session on Saturday, we were able to surprise District 6440 RYLA Chair, Sean Nelson, with the Rotary International Service Above Self Award in front of all the students and volunteers, for his dedication to the RYLA program over the last 20 years. The Service Above Self Award is voted on by the RI Board of Directors and is given out to no more than 150 people worldwide. Sean was recognized again this past weekend at our District Conference. Thank you, Sean, to you and your extraordinary team of volunteers for your dedication to our youth through the RYLA program.
This year also marked the introduction of a new award that was presented at the District Conference. The District 6440 Outstanding Interact Club Award was given to the Rolling Meadows High School Interact Club. Their chapter collected enough items to supply a local food pantry with 4 months' worth of food for over 500 families, raised over $1,000 for clean water and sanitation support in Cambodia, gathered over $400 within 48 hours for disaster relief in Turkey-Syria, held over a dozen other service and fundraising initiatives, and received the Bronze ShelterBox Hero Award.
Thank you to all of the Interact Clubs for your submissions and all the great work you are doing in your schools and communities. We look forward to seeing all that you will accomplish over the next year.
I would like to point out two other significant awards presented at the District Conference. Sarah Oliver received the Rotary Foundation Meritorious Service Award, which honors those who have been actively involved in service related to The Rotary Foundation. Bill Ferreira was recognized with the Service Award for a Polio Free World, which honors Rotarians who have made outstanding contributions to our polio eradication efforts.
District 6440 is forever grateful to Sarah and Bill for their selfless service to The Foundation and eradicating Polio.
I’ll let Bill Kmiecik fill you in on the rest of the highlights from the District Conference but, until then, will say a big thank you to all those who attended.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Thor Davidson
District Governor Nominee
