Some of our clubs have inquired about providing assistance to areas that were hit hard by the terrible tornados of a few days ago. If your club is interested, here are two great options for safe giving to the storm ravaged areas:
Significant damage occurred in Edwardsville, IL. Edwardsville is located in District 6460 which is the district directly south of our district. District 6460 is also part of our PETS training group. Most of the coverage of the storms in Edwardsville has focused on the Amazon facility where six lives were lost and many more were injured. There was also extreme damage to residential areas impacting many homes. Brent Garner, President of the Rotary Club of Edwardsville, and Art Risavy, Edwardsville mayor and fellow Rotarian, advise the best organization to donate to in order to support storm victims in the Edwardsville area is the Relief Fund of the Edwardsville Community Foundation. The link to give to the ECF Relief Fund is:
https://edwardsvillecf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1033
The State of Kentucky was hit especially hard. Western Kentucky, where the most lives were lost and the most damage done, is served by Rotary District 6710. District Governor Gail Story has let us know that their district has established a fund for the victims in that area. Donations can be mailed to the following address:
Rotary District 6710 Relief Fund
c/o Sheila Stoke
7906 Westover Dr.
Prospect, KY 40059
Of course, donations can always be made through the Salvation Army and Red Cross. Specify the area where your donations are intended.
As we celebrate this holiday season with our family and friends, let us not forget those who will not be celebrating this year. To you and your family I wish a Happy Holidays and may 2022 be our best year yet.
David Bills, Governor, Rotary District 6420