Kevin Crouse, District Governor, November 2013
DG Kevin’s November Message
The Joy of Giving
Given the overwhelming disaster in the Philippines the loss of infrastructure – roads, water, police, etc. it is easy to get overwhelmed with the devastating level of human suffering there. We thank God for the exceptional level of outgoing support from people everywhere to help these people in distress. The Canadian government has given 5 million plus an offer to match individual contributions to help out with this disaster. Already over 15 million has been given by Canadians to meet this need. That means that Canadians have pledged over 35 million already to deal with this disaster. I am sure that, given the large Philippine community in the U.S., an even stronger response will come from the Americans. Contact Sabih Uddin, World Community Service Chair for information on how you can make your dollars count in this cause.
People do these things because they want to ease human suffering everywhere. Their giving gives them a sense of belonging to the human race, a feeling that they are all on this planet as one large family that cares about suffering souls everywhere. If you would like to take part in a trip of 35 volunteers to Delhi, India in February 2014 to participate in the polio eradication program, contact Bradford Howard PDG District 5170 at www.howardtours.net as soon as possible. Bradford has been organizing these trips since 1998. Almost 900 Rotarians have been involved. The trip includes hotel, meals, Rotary meetings, the Taj Mahal, and the Polio Summit. The cost is approximately $2400.
We give thanks during this Thanksgiving season not just for our material well-being but also for the care and concern of our family and friends everywhere.
Two very recent events brought these truths home to our own Rotary world in District 7090. The Foundation Dinner celebrated the large number of individuals and clubs who gave exceptional gifts to the Rotary Foundation. This level of giving is an inspiration to us all to continue to make the world a better place through our gifts to the Rotary Foundation. Karen Oakes and her Foundation Committee deserve great thanks for making the evening an inspiring, thought-provoking and yes, even an entertaining one.
And let’s not forget that our gifts also include gifts of service, sweat equity and fellowship with others. Our recent District Conference Engaged Rotary and Changed Lives not only of those 411 people attending but also of those 12 members of the conference planning committee who put together a conference that so far has received rave reviews for program, engagement and fellowship. Reg Madison’s leadership here is something we all should be thankful for.
Congratulations also to those 185 recipients of the Head, Hands and Heart award. These Rotarians are the backbone of our district. Rotary clubs who were unable to attend the Sunday morning awards ceremony should contact Kevin Crouse to arrange a club visit to present the awards and honour these recipients. They deserve our thanks for leading the way in giving their heads, hands and heart to the Rotary mission.
Given the fact that this month is Rotary Foundation month, it is time for all of us to consider how we are supporting the best charitable foundation on Earth. Certainly, every Rotarian should be at least one of the following –an EREY Rotarian, a Sustaining Member, or a member of the Paul Harris Society, Bequest Society or Major Donor. If you are not, consider increasing your giving now so that you too can experience this joy of giving.
Mike Tyrpak, President of the Rotary Club of Amherst, presents Governor Kevin with
$2500 check representing the club's contribution to The Rotary Foundation.