We have much to be Thankful for During Rotary Foundation Month!
I am incredibly thankful for our District 5180 family of Rotary. During the month of November, Rotary Foundation Month, I am reminded of how generous our members are. We donated close to $300,000 to the Rotary International Foundation Annual Fund in the 21/22 Rotary year and have given over $100,000 in just the first four months of this year. That puts us at a pace to equal last year’s donations
Our dollars given this year will return to us in three years in the form of grants for local and international projects. Internationally, the Rotary Club of Sacramento and many of our District clubs are coming together, along with three partnering districts, this year to support an $800,000 large-scale WASH project (Water Access, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Western Honduras serving more than 16,000 families. Rotary is partnering with World Vision, a Non-Government Charitable Organizations (NGO), who will match Rotary funds up to $400,000. Our District goal is to have 100% participation from each club thereby making District 5180 a Super WASH district (Water)!
Did you know that District 5180 clubs support over 20 Food Banks/Pantries and Salvation Army locations? Today’s reality is that the cupboards are becoming very bare in many of the Food Banks due to inflation and world food shortages. With the financial support of District Grants from the Rotary International Foundation, our members and clubs are doing amazing and unique service projects throughout their communities supporting their Food Banks and other community nonprofit organizations. One of our smallest clubs, Natomas, supports Stanford Settlement by grilling up lunch for their Day Camp....see picture above. (Food). Arden Arcade and Carmichael clubs combined forces recently to build a tortoise enclosure at Effie Yeaw Nature Center for “Cowboy Sparkles” the tortoise (Shelter). Folsom Rotary went into the construction business by installing a new roof at the Twin Lake Food Bank....see picture above (Shelter). Meristem Autism Program for Young Adults recently received commercial kitchen appliances to train their students in culinary skills purchased by the Rotary Club of Fair Oaks with help from a District Grant from the Rotary Foundation.
Food, water, and shelter are the basic needs of life. As we gather in the coming weeks with our loved ones to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, let’s be sure to be thankful for the good we help bring to those in need. Serve it Up!
Karen Cendro
District Governor 2022-2023
Past President
Rotary Club of Laguna Sunrise