Last week’s program was provided by Rotarian Dennis Digamon. Dennis’ guest speaker was former District Governor Alan Feldman. Alan spoke to the club about the Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion (yes, with a "B") on life-changing, sustainable projects. With Rotarians help, we can make lives better in their communities and around the world.
The mission of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty. For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio. $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness. $500 can launch an anti-bullying campaign and create a safe environment for children. Alan Feldman has been involved with the Rotary foundation and has been involved with efforts around the world to help others.
Alan showed us a video of “Faces of the World” which depicted what “peace” is all about and what Rotary is all about…peace in the world. Alan believes that a Rotarian “knows real happiness that can only be found by helping others”. The Rotary Foundation is a multi-facited charity that has received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for nine straight years. Only 1% of all charities evaluated have ever received this high of a rating.
At the Foundation, giving is not about recognition. Once you become a Paul Harris Pin is not a reason to stop giving. The importance of you giving cannot be overstated. Our club goal is 100% participation, including senior active members. Our club donates $100 each year in the name of members. Since the inception of the Foundation over $50billion has been spent on the eradication of Polio. Polio is 99% of the way to being eradicated around the world. There were 350,000 cases in 1988 and just 33 cases last year! The Foundation contributes around the world to: housing (heating/cooling/electric/lights), clean water, groceries, education, hygiene and transportation, to name just a few of the projects that your Foundation takes care of. Giving is great…but, getting your “hands dirty” by getting involved and volunteering for projects, makes a real impression and just makes you feel good! Help Rotary build relationships and help people around the world…continue to donate to the Rotary Foundation!
