Sharing Stories…Finding Your Rotary Foundation Passion

Posted by Marilyn Bedell, Endowment Major Gift Advisor, Zone 32
What does this red rooster have to do with the Rotary Foundation? 
 
As I think back to when PDG Ron Bedell and I started making consistent donations to the Rotary Foundation, this rooster played a role.  For 23 years, Tom Plumb, a former member of the Rotary Club of Middlebury Vermont has dedicated most of his Rotary and life’s passions to doing sustainable projects in Honduras. 
 
Tom was a part of a team of Rotary District 7850 Rotarians who went to Honduras to see how they could help after Hurricane Mitch in 1998. At the District Conference in 2001, Tom came to report on the projects he had completed and hoped to complete. 
In addition to speaking about his work, he brought along a satchel of these red roosters which came from a women’s artist cooperative in Honduras.  He purchased the roosters to support the crafters, and then asked us to purchase them to help him raise funds for his next Rotary projects.  I decided I had to at least buy a rooster to help him with his vision to make Honduras a better place to live. 
 
I now see this rooster every day in my living room.  It reminds me of the power of one and how small investments can lead to real change.   Our District has continued to support Tom’s work, and clubs in our district have contributed to the various global grants he has developed. 
 
I believe in a small way my purchase of this red rooster has helped to change and save lives in Honduras.  Tom’s work in partnership with many Rotarians has been a Gift to the World.  Tom is changing and saving lives.
 
Since 1998, Tom has done many projects that encompass Rotary’s seven areas of focus. From water and sanitation to basic education and literacy to disease prevention and treatment and maternal and child health. He spends as much time as he can in Honduras and moved to Texas to be closer to the people – he is committed to helping.
 
Now that Ron and I have made both major gifts and endowment commitments, I know our contributions will continue to support dedicated Rotarians like Tom Plumb.
 
I can only hope that each of you will reflect on your own Rotary Foundation stories that led to you developing a passion for the Rotary Foundation.  Don’t keep your stories to yourself - share these with your fellow Rotarians and non-Rotarians.  Who knows, you may help another Rotarian or friend of Rotary find their own passion for supporting our Rotary Foundation that will lead to our next generation of major donors and advocates for our Endowment.