Dear Rotarians,
On Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 our rotary District 6440 lost a great Rotarian and friend, PDG Gibson passed away after losing her battle with cancer. A warm, caring and dedicated person who left her mark on everyone she met.
I met PDG Suzanne Gibson in August of 2016 when she asked for Rotarians to work on her Community Service committee. This started an eight-year journey with Suzanne that I will cherish for the rest of my years. In 2021-2022 as the D6440 District Rotary Foundation Chair, PDG Suzanne Gibson asked me what I thought of starting a Polio Plus Society (PPS) within our district. I asked her if there was paperwork involved and she assured me that I just had to promote the PPS, so that adventure began. Under PDG Suzanne Gibson’s leadership we were able to sign up two hundred and twenty-nine Charter Members of the PPS. The PPS has now grown to almost three hundred members within D6440. During all of my conversations with PDG Suzanne Gibson the subject of getting more people in the PPS or getting more Rotary clubs to use RILEE always popped up. We did not always agree on the methods I took, but we always agreed on the mission. PDG Suzanne Gibson was always looking to help others or make life easier for someone else.
I can hear Suzanne asking me where the “ask” is in my email, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you what I believe our obligation is as Rotarians. I believe we Rotarians should all donate $100.00 per year as a minimum to The Annual Fund and Polio Plus. These two funds are the driving force to keeping Rotary in action all over the world. If you are unable to make a financial contribution then by all means wear your Rotary pin at all times.
My last conversation with Suzanne was during the Thanksgiving holiday season when she was in Florida with her family. Even in that conversation, Suzanne asked me if I had come up with any more ways to utilize RILEE. On Thursday, January 23rd, 2025 I lost a friend and someone I will never forget.
Blessings,
Glenn T. Garlick
District 6440 EPNC
Libertyville Sunrise Rotary Club
630-399-2421
