Rotarians help recovery in Haiti
Published 3:19 pm Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Rotary Club of Sammamish has wasted no time in reacting to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti after a massive earthquake in the small Caribbean nation on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
At a meeting of the Sammamish Rotary early on Thursday morning last week, Rotarian Scott Brewer told those assembled that Rotary clubs across America had been involved with the impoverished nation for many years.
“Even before the earthquake hit, things like clean drinking water, and illiteracy, were huge issues for the people of Haiti,” he said.
The day before the earthquake hit, a team of Rotarians from Minnesota arrived in Haiti to assist with another project, and are now acting as a vital on-the-ground team to coordinate aid efforts from Rotary clubs all over the world.
Following Thursday’s meeting, the club passed a motion to donate $2,000 to the cause.
The motion was moved by CJ Kahler, who just recently returned from a Rotary visit to some of the poorest regions of Africa.
“After seeing the poverty of Africa first hand, I can somewhat imagine the plight of the people of Haiti after the earthquake that hit them,” Kahler said. “Our club worked hard to raise funds to make the world a better place to live. We have planned in our budget to donate over $13,000 to international service projects.”
In just a matter of minutes, $260 was collected from those members in attendance, an amazing demonstration of generosity and commitment.
The Rotary Club pitched in $740 from its accounts, to donate $1,000 to send “Shelter Boxes” to Haiti to help displaced and badly injured families over the next few weeks.
Shelter Boxes were designed to help displaced and badly injured families survive in the days and weeks following a natural disaster. Each Shelter Box costs $1,000 and supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.
Another $1,000 was given to Rotary Partnership For Haiti, a coalition started by Rotary clubs in the Midwest.
Brewer said that over the last two days Rotary groups had mobilized and launched their own fundraising efforts, and were reaching out to their communities to get involved.
“We were there before the earthquake, we were there during the earthquake, and we will be there long after,” Brewer said, in a moving address. “That is why we are Rotarians.”
ShelterBox USA is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Contributions are tax deductible.
To help purchase and ship Shelter Boxes to Haiti, go to http://shelterbox.org, or call 941-907-6036.
For information on Rotary’s efforts in Haiti go to www.rotarypartnershipforhaiti.org.
For more information on the Rotary Club of Sammamish, go to www.sammamishrotary.org., or contact Rotarian Anita Boser at anita@anitahellerworker.com.
