Hello Rotarians,

 

Last week we learned that Rotary and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that their long-term fundraiser partnership, which generates up to $150 million annually for Polio eradication, will continue. Which means Rotary is committed to raise $50 million for the next three years, and each dollar will be matched with an additional two dollars by the Gates Foundation. “The Gates Foundation’s long-standing partnership with Rotary has been vital to fighting Polio, that’s why we are extending our funding match, so every dollar that Rotary raises is met with two more,” Gates said. This is excellent news, and one way for our club to contribute is through the prescription bottles for Polio. If you attend our regular meetings, you will find them on each table. Take one home and fill it up with your spare change. Last year we raised $350.00; I am sure we can do better this year.

 

We also learned last week that the club has donated $12,000 to 25 non-profit organizations so far this year. We have received more requests for donations since the Charitable Giving Committee met, and those requests are under review by the Board of Directors. The funds for all these donations, as we know, come from our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Pancake Breakfast and Seafood Festival on July 4th.

 

We have received a lovely letter from Lesley Robinson of Comfort Cases. I know you all remember Lesley and her extraordinary work with the Comfort Cases organization. She is letting us know that they are planning their annual gala on April 25, 2020 in Rockville, MD. She is asking if someone in our club who owns a vacation home or Airbnb, would like to donate it for a week or weekend and contribute to the silent auction for the gala. Any takers? I know we have some within the club. If you are interested, please let me or Colleen Maynard know. It would be a great gesture.

 

Last week, I encouraged all our members to be brave and do a classification talk and be part of our speaker program. If you are interested, please let me know. Our speaker program is full until March, but April seems to have some empty spots so far.

 

This Wednesday we are hosting Rob Benson, and he will give us a talk about the MDI Racial Equity Working Group.

 

“Ignorance is a menace to peace.” - Paul Harris

 

See you Wednesday

 

President Susy