Just over a week ago, ShelterBox Australia send out a notice that ShelterBox was responding to the earthquake in Haiti and any donation was welcome.  The email said

“Feel free to use our resources in the Haiti Earthquake 2021 folder in sharing the news with your District, club members and networks (FB posts or website updates, photos and graphics). Working together, let's share the news that we are sending a team to help in the Haiti earthquake and with the support of Rotary we can make a real difference.”

I contacted ShelterBox and outlined a proposal that I would ask all the Clubs in Area1 of District9705 to make a donation to Shelterbox of an amount equivalent to $5 per member.  I put the idea to several Club Presidents and they were supportive. It is not a large amount, and not a major commitment per Club but, if all Area1 Clubs contributing to the appeal, together it would amount to one complete ShelterBox and more.

If successful, I might challenge the other 5 Areas in District 9705 to make similar donations.

We’re asking each Club in District 9705 Area 1 to donate (at least) the equivalent of $5 per member to help the people of Haiti in their time of need.

Use this unique reference D9705Area1 when you donate to:

ShelterBox Australia

Bendigo Bank

BSB 633 000

Account no. 166 780 163

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Whist we are all forced to stay at home, here are some more Rotary things to read and think about. The COVID-19 Taskforce of the Rotary Foundation, has made the following recommendations made for the engagement of Rotarians in combatting COVID-19. Five suggested areas of engagement for Rotarians: Community education Share information from local and regional health authorities and support their efforts.  Contact your local health department to determine where assistance is most needed.    Equitable distribution  Connect with local health departments/agencies (including WHO and UNICEF where applicable) to advocate for and support their efforts to ensure all communities receive equal access to the vaccine.   Combat misinformation  Disseminate accurate, fact-based information (as provided by local health agencies).  Advocate by spreading the word that #vaccineswork. Use Rotary’s work on polio eradication as a key example.  Invite a medical professional or local health department official to speak virtually at a club meeting.  Engage with local media (e.g. letters to the editor) in support of local efforts.  Stop the spread of COVID-19 Continue to engage in projects supporting mask-wearing, social distancing, proper hygiene practices, and donation of PPE.   Lead by example (wear masks and practice social distancing at all times) and share images online that reflect these behaviours. Encourage vaccination  Get vaccinated as soon as your country’s system permits and share your experience online. *********************************************************************************** Rotary members in Demerara, Guyana, are using their disease fighting experience to penetrate dense forests and bring COVID-19 vaccines to indigenous communities that would otherwise not have access to them. Club members and health officials used boats to reach and immunize villagers as well as distribute much needed food, clothing, medicine. It’s just one way that Rotary clubs are using their experience in fighting disease to promote vaccinations and fight the pandemic