DG Jack's May Message

It’s May and the flora are in bloom.  The District membership is up with thanks to Brian Carmichael and his membership efforts and to all of our vibrant clubs who are steadily adding new members.  I’ve asked you all to “Light Up Rotary” this year and you certainly have, in actions AND in numbers.  I’m also excited to let you all know that, in the last few months, we’ve chartered three new Rotaract Clubs – Hamilton Community Rotaract, St. Bonaventure University Rotaract and, coming soon, a new Rotoract club serving the beautiful Norfolk Valley in Southern Ontario. 

 

I thought I’d take a few paragraphs this month to introduce (or re-introduce) our members to a special program in our District.  Gift of life is a Rotarian-based organization that over the past 4 decades has helped more than 17,000 children from emerging countries receive treatment for their heart disease.  These children have come from 67 different countries and, without G-O-L, they would not have been treated.  That means that they would have died.

 

Today, there are over 70 Gift of Life programs throughout the world mostly based in Rotary Clubs or Rotary Districts on 5 continents.  The program provides transportation and heart related medical/surgical treatment to small children from the third world.

 

We are blessed to have one of those 70 programs right here in District 7090, a district-wide organization based out of the Hamburg Sunrise Rotary Club.  Dr. John D. Rydzik leads the District 7090 effort to “save children - one little heart at a time". As of the last three children saved in 2014, the District 7090 Gift of Life program has saved the lives of 41 kids. 

 

Our Gift Of Life Program is primarily supported by an annual Golf Outing Fund Raiser.  This year it will take place on June 15^th at Lancaster Country Club.  The cost is $150 per golfer and includes lunch, dinner and soft-drinks on the course.  They are looking for golfers AND for sponsors – further information is available from Hamburg Sunrise member Charlie Brooks at Charlie.Brooks@lakeshoresavings.com.  He can provide you with sign up forms for golfers and order forms for sponsors.  Thanks to John, Charlie and all of the Hamburg Sunrise Rotarians for all they do for the children in the name of Rotary.  And thanks to all of you who support this wonderful program.