DG Jack Amico's July Message
Welcome to your 2014-2015 Rotary Year – the year we “LIGHT UP ROTARY”!!!
I hate to open this letter to you with sad news, but District 7090 has lost a beloved supporter. Past District Governor Joe DePaolo informs us that Bernice Fogel, the widow of Charlie Fogel (District Governor 1973-1974) passed away on July 1. Charlie was a very special person, Mr. Rotary if there was one, who continued to be active in the District until shortly before his passing in May of 2011. Bernice was not only his partner but also a staunch supporter of Rotary. She will be missed.
RI President Gary C. K. Huang has set this year’s theme as “Light up Rotary”. He knows that each individual Rotarian lights up a candle of light and goodness while serving others. The only problem which he sees is that we too often keep the candle under cover. Unless we uncover the candle and join together, we don’t let the world see the great light that Rotary is.
We’re asking you to “Light Up Rotary” this year in your individual clubs and as a district. As you go about your public activities, community service projects, fundraisers, etc. you are encouraged to designate the day of your activities as a “ROTARY DAY”. The first Rotary Day will be on August 23rd, when Coca-Cola Field, home of the Buffalo Bison’s, will welcome Rotarians from Southern Ontario and Western New York. The Bison’s are the farm club of the Toronto Blue Jays, so the upcoming talent of the Jays and the rehab players for that team will be spending time in Buffalo. Since so many Southern Ontario Rotarians are Blue Jay fans, this is a chance to have a great evening watching some of your upcoming stars at a low price. For Western New Yorkers, this is a chance to join fellow Rotarians to see your home-town team. Thanks to West Seneca Rotarian Frank Calieri, the original Buster Bison for setting this up. Details are on the flyer which will be going out to District 7090 clubs in the next few days. As individual clubs schedule their own Rotary Days, I’ll be glad to pass the word to all of our members so that we can share in the lighting up of Rotary.
We are also benefiting from two Rotarians who are willing to share their talents with us. Roseanne Morissette of the SOWNY E- Club will be supporting the clubs in Canada for Public Information distribution. Chrissy Casilio-Bluhm of the Clarence Rotary Club will support US clubs in the same function of getting the word out about your activities. If you have any special events coming up, let Roseanne or Chrissy know about them and they will help you light up Rotary for the event.
For more information about how we are “Light(ing) up Rotary”, stay tuned to this station!