Happy Almost Spring!
March is Water and Sanitation Month at Rotary International, so I thought that I would promote the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup Initiative that will be occurring April. I’d like clubs to get this event on your calendars, and have you invite other groups to join you in the cleanup. This would include other service clubs, your Interact, Rotaract, Boys and Girl Scouts, church groups, your Chamber of Commerce Members, maybe your veterans, your friends and neighbors – pretty much anyone you can think of! Our project day will be centered around Friday, April 22nd, which is this year’s Earth Day, so many clubs are planning to do their project on Saturday, April 23rd. Please let Gary Anderson or DG Janet know your plans. We had a great turnout last year, and we would really like to increase our visibility with this project this year, so this is the time to start promoting it!
Cleanup in Canandaigua last year
Newark Rotary spiffs up their waterway!
As I’m sure everyone is aware, the situation in the Ukraine is very distressing to all of us. RI has made an appeal to all Rotarians:
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis is Ukraine, the Rotary Foundation has created an official channel for Rotary members around the world the contribute funds to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts and has designated its Disaster Response Fund as the main avenue for contributions.
To this end, The Rotary Foundation has approved:
- Now through 30 June 2022, designated Rotary districts that border Ukraine and the Rotary district in Ukraine may apply for grants of up to $50,000 each from the Disaster Response Fund. These expedited disaster response grants can be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis, including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
- During this same period, other impacted Rotary districts that wish to offer support to refugees or other victims of the crisis in their district can apply for $25,000 grants from the Disaster Response Fund.
- Now through 30 April 2022, Rotary districts can transfer unallocated District Designated Funds (DDF) to support the Disaster Response Fund, directly supporting these Ukraine-specific humanitarian grants.
- Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund in support of Ukraine can be made at the link. All funds need to be received into the Disaster Response Fund by 30 April 2022 in order to qualify for use in support of the Ukrainian relief efforts.
- Although the Disaster Response Fund will be the main avenue for Rotary Foundation support, Rotary and Rotaract clubs are also encouraged to create their own responses to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
In addition to support provided through the Disaster Response Fund, the Foundation is coordinating with partners and regional leaders, exploring effective solutions to the increased humanitarian needs.
- We are in contact with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees – USA to prepare for and respond to the needs of those being displaced in Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
- ShelterBox, our project partner for disaster response, is in communication with Rotary members in Eastern Europe to explore how it may offer support with temporary transitional housing and other essential supplies.
- The Rotary Action Group for Refugees, Forced Displacement, and Migration is also mobilizing its resources to assist in this crisis.
A million people have fled Ukraine, and are in dire need of emergency aid. The United Nations estimates that number could grow to as many as 5 million people displaced. Rotary clubs in Europe and around the world have stepped up their relief work, some working on the ground to help displaced families.
We will continue to monitor the situation in Ukraine and neighboring countries. Visit My Rotary and follow Rotary on social media to stay updated on how clubs can get involved and what actions Rotary members have taken and the impact it has had for people in the region.