Peace Through Service

This week marks the tragedy of 9/11 and the wars the ensued.  Friday, September 21, is the international Day of Peace.  I thought it might be good to look at how we can apply this year’s Rotary International theme, “Peace Through Service”.  Our RI President , Sakuji Tanaka, said he realized after joining his Yashiko Rotary Club ”that by helping others, even in the simplest of ways, I could help to build peace.  Peace in all of the ways we can understand it, is a real goal and a realistic goal for Rotary.”  When he announced the theme in January 2012 for his 2012-13 Rotary year, he proclaimed, “Peace is not something that can only be achieved through treaties, by governments, or through heroic struggles.  It is something that we can find and that we can achieve, every day in many simple ways.

On the international level, our club has a very active World Community Service committee.  The members have been involved in with projects benefitting people in places such as Guatemala, Haiti, Brazil, and Kenya.  Member, Andy Aldrich, has done individual work in Haiti.  Members Dr. John Millin and his wife, Lori, have performed cataract surgeries in places such as Ghana, Mongolia, and Paraguay and Nigeria.

Our Youth Exchange programs help to create better friendships and goodwill around the world.  Each year we send students abroad and host students here in our community.  They always report that the experience has changed their lives.  They touch the hearts of Rotarians, their host families, schools and communities.  They create lifelong friendships and build bridges for peace around the world.

Here in our local community, Rotarians deliver meals to the elderly and shut-ins.  We support the activities of the Boys and Girls Club, and Triumph High School.  We promote literacy through the Read to Me program in our schools. We recognize outstanding teachers who go the extra mile for their students.  We learn of the fine accomplishments of our students of the month, some of whom overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. 

There are many ways we, as Rotarians, can support President Tanaka’s theme of “Peace Through Service”.   If you are interested in finding “simple ways” to do so locally or internationally, talk to President Ron, any of the Club Directors or  any of the Committee Chairs.