The COVID-19 crisis is causing unparalleled disruptions to the financial stability of many people. Millions find themselves unemployed and safety net systems designed to help them are overburdened leaving families in need of food and with questions on how to make mortgage payments or rent. Non-profit agencies are stretched to their limit to provide services, but many of their traditional fundraisers are cancelled because of the “Shelter in Place” directive. Now more than ever is the time for Rotarians to step up and follow the motto “Service Above Self.” Agencies need monetary donations to provide immediate COVID-19 services and at the same time position themselves to continue their traditional services Here is how you can help.
“GIVE DEKALB COUNTY” IS MAY 7
There are 110 local non-profit groups registered to be part of this 24-hour day of giving that is coordinated by the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, a program of the DeKalb County Community Foundation. Donors may give through a secure website:
In previous years contributions could also be made in person at the Community Foundation Office in Sycamore; however, due to the COVID-19 restrictions, mail-in donations postmarked by May 7 will be accepted. Donors giving by mail can print a donation form from the website, complete the form indicating the organization(s) and donation amount(s) they wish to make, and then write a single check for the total amount payable to “DCCF.” The form and check should be mailed to: DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178.
“Give DeKalb County” includes a bonus pool made possible by donors who wish to give added support to all participating non-profits. This pool will boost every donation given, whether by mail or online, in the form of proportional matching dollars to what is raised by each organization.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL COVID-19 TELETHON IS MAY 2
Past Rotary International President Barry Rassis will co-host this Facebook live-streaming event that will raise funds for world-wide COVID-19 response efforts. It can be viewed at facebook.com/rotary starting at 10 AM Central Time on Saturday, May 2. There will be musical performances and stories from those giving aid to COVID-19 victims around the world.
Please remember those in need and be as generous as possible by participating in one or both of these giving opportunities.
Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I've just been talking about this with the microwave and toaster while drinking coffee and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn't mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron straightened me out as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum was very unsympathetic... told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ........yes, you guessed it ...pull myself together.
I have talked in the past of the ‘Plus’ in the Polio Plus campaign. Now in time of this global COVID-19 pandemic, we can see how the same health delivery infrastructure developed for the End Polio campaign, is now being put to use in the fight against the pandemic.
In Pakistan:
The polio team is providing assistance across the entire country with a focus on awareness raising and improved surveillance. They are modifying the existing polio data management system to include data management for COVID-19 as well.
Through cascade training an additional 6,250 health professionals have been sensitized on COVID-19 and the regional polio reference lab in Islamabad has been providing support for COVID-19 testing. As elsewhere, contact tracing and improved testing in six reference labs are improving their ability to meet increased demand.
The nationally sponsored HELP line routinely use for polio-related calls now caters to the public’s need for information on COVID-19 as well.
In Afghanistan:
Community polio volunteers are delivering messages on hand-washing and distancing. They also do COVID-19 investigations during their routine visits. Polio eradication teams continue to work with the Ministry of Public Health, NGOs and other partners to enhance Afghanistan’s preparedness.
In Nigeria:
“In the field, when there is an emergence, WHO’s first call for support to the state governments is the polio personnel,” says Fiona Braka, WHO polio team lead in Nigeria. The infrastructure exists and can be used for both polio and COVID-19.
We can’t forget the polio initiative in these trying times. Your donations remain vital and benefit mankind beyond just polio eradication efforts. Please give this year.
"Sometimes, when I reflect on all the beer I drink, I feel ashamed. Then I look into the glass and think about the workers in the brewery and all of their hopes and dreams. If I did not drink this beer, they might be out of work and their dreams would be shattered. I think, it is better to drink this beer & let dreams come true, than be selfish & worry about my liver.” Babe Ruth
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading.” - Paul Horning
"24 hours in a day and 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not!” - H. L. Mencken
"When we drink, we get drunk When we get drunk, we fall asleep. When we fall asleep, we commit no sin. When we commit no sin, we go to heaven. So, let's all get drunk and go to heaven.” George Bernard Shaw
Half of us are going to come out of this quarantine as amazing cooks. The other half will come out with a drinking problem.
I used to spin that toilet paper like I was on Wheel of Fortune. Now I turn it like I'm cracking a safe.
I need to practice social-distancing from the refrigerator.
PSA: every few days try your jeans on just to make sure they fit. Pajamas will have you believe all is well in the kingdom.
Homeschooling is going well. 2 students suspended for fighting and 1 teacher fired for drinking on the job.
I don't think anyone expected that when we changed the clocks we'd go from Standard Time to the Twilight Zone
This morning I saw a neighbor talking to her cat. It was obvious she thought her cat understood her. I came into my house, told my dog..... we laughed a lot.
So, after this quarantine.....will the producers of My 600 Pound Life just find me or do I find them?
Homeschooling: One of these little monsters called in a bomb threat.
I'm so excited --- it's time to take out the garbage. What should I wear?
I hope the weather is good tomorrow for my trip to Puerto Backyarda. I'm getting tired of Los Livingroom.
Classified Ad: Single man with toilet paper seeks woman with hand sanitizer for good clean fun.
Homeschooling 2: My child just said "I hope I don't have the same teacher next year".... I'm offended.
April 19, 1775 – It was dawn and 70 armed militiamen stood face to face with a British advance guard unit on Lexington Green when an unordered shot from the British became “the shot heard round the world” and the American Revolution began. Eight Americans died and ten were wounded in the melee that followed.
April 29, 1999 – Two students armed with guns and explosives carried out an attack at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, killing 12 classmates and a teacher and leaving 20 people wounded before killing themselves.
April 22, 1889 – The Oklahoma land rush began at noon with a single gun shot starting a mad dash by thousands of settlers seeking to stake their claim to a portion of two-million acres of land.
April 22, 1970 – An estimated 20 million people turn out for locally-organized environmental educational events promoted by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Nelson was trying to call attention to the inaction of Congress on environmental issues and inaugurated the first “Earth Day”.
