Foundation First Highlights – July 2025
By Michelle Bell, District Foundation Chair
A Record Year for Giving
- Total contributions to The Rotary Foundation: $294,950 (pending final reports)
- Annual Fund contributions: $213,273
- Polio Plus contributions: $62,031 (just $1,199 short of the goal)
- Gratitude extended to all Rotarians for their generosity and commitment.
Rotary Global Scholars Making an Impact
- Rotary Global Scholarships support graduate studies abroad to promote peace and global understanding.
- District 5970 has sponsored four Global Scholars in the past two years.
- Two scholars are completing their degrees this summer; two more begin studies this fall in London and Edinburgh.
Circle the Atlantic: Flight to End Polio
- A second world-record flight is planned for September 2025 to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication.
- Pilots: Rotarians Peter Teahen and Ed Galkin, with technical support from John Ockenfels.
- Aircraft: 1976 Cessna 210, N2160S
- Journey: 37 days, 8,800 nautical miles, with multiple fundraising events.
- All proceeds go to The Rotary Foundation and are matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation.
- More information on Circle the Atlantic: Flight to End Polio: