Phoenix Flies TransPacific
Earlier this year a Delegation of Rotarians from Hiroshima Japan and their friends paid Santa Rosa Sunrise and Sonoma County a Goodwill Visit.
They came and personally met our members who lost their homes. The visitor from the Central Hiroshima Rotary Club presented Sunrise and Rotary Fire Relief an enormously generous contribution of over $20,000. Donations from our Sister City Kagoshima's Friends of Santa Rosa and IUK University raised $28,500. Kagoshima Rotary District and the City of Ichikusikino where Kenaye Nagasawa left Japan contributed $20,300.
Delivering his address in Japanese, Fumio Shimamoto President of Central Hiroshima Rotary said via translator Koichi Matsumura "We in Hiroshima know what it is like to survive a firestorm". "The end of one thing is the start of another."
Next month we again welcome SRKSEP students and adult guests from our Sister City Kagoshima. Two weeks ago Kagoshima and Hiroshima and several Prefectures were inundated by torrential rains resulting in mudslides and over 100 fatalities. As Sunriser's Jack and Eloise reported following their recent return from both cities, relief efforts are underway and assessment of priorities ongoing.
Sunrise Board meets next week to prepare our immediate response to this Humanitarian need. The mythological Phoenix, the long lived sun associated bird arose out of ashes to fly again. Santa Rosa Sunrise is preparing a return flight of reciprocity to these cities. Stay tuned for flight details and opportunities to help express our support in their recovery. Thank you to Jack and Eloise and Peter and Mary Banks for your most generous relief donations. You are Being The Inspiration!!!
