DISTRICT 7490 HAITI DISASTER RELIEF FUND UPDATE

The District Committee is working on to ensure that the needs of the people of Haiti are being met at the same time the wishes of all the Rotarians who are contributing funds for this cause are being considered. Many Rotarians had expressed the immediate need for sending Shelter Boxes. The committee has considered that.

The following is the note that District Governor Bhatia received from the Committee Chair, Assistant Governor Ray Falcon, on the status of the committee's efforts so far:

"Thank you all for all your help in raising money for the District 7490 Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. As of now, we have a just bit less than $57,000.00. This is a tremendous effort, of which you can be justly proud. Although the mainstream media attention has moved away from Haiti, information we are receiving indicates the emergency is far from over. In response, the Committee has authorized the immediate purchase of 10 Shelter Boxes. A portion of the cost of these Shelter Boxes will come from the contributions made by several Clubs for the specific purpose of purchasing Shelter Boxes. The balance of the cost has been allocated from the remaining non ear-marked contributions.

In addition, we have received a number of proposals for funds. The Disaster Relief Committee will be meeting to consider the proposals. The total amount of the pending requests already exceeds the amount remaining in the Fund after the purchase of the Shelter Boxes -- a painful reminder of the magnitude of the need. Please continue your fund raising efforts to assist the District 7490 Haiti Disaster Relief Fund activities and we will do our best to put these dollars to good, verifiable use. All checks should be made payable to the Walter D. Head Foundation (which is simply holding these funds for disposition at the direction of the Committee)."