This is the time of year that we all receive solicitations from many wonderful causes that impact the lives of those in our communities. We receive mail from community arts organizations, food pantries, churches, schools, well-known social service groups. Our phones ring with an eager voice on the line, sometimes in a recorded message or most often a hopeful solicitor. We are really deluged with pleas looking to get our dollars before the tax year end. We open our email and wonder how did they get this address.

Like you, I peruse my junk mail to make certain I don’t miss a client’s message but instead clear out dozens of “great” deals vying for my holiday shopping dollars. Black Friday has passed but the deals still keep coming. Santa’s arrival approaches. And the pressure to buy and give gifts does not let up.

I think often about President Banerjee’s theme: Reach Within to Embrace Humanity. Isn’t this what Rotarians do or at the very least hope to do? It ties so well to “Service above Self”.

I cannot speak for you but oftentimes I have to reach within, I have to dig a little deeper, I have take the next step, I have to try on another’s pair of shoes, I have to walk the walk.

So how does this all relate to our Foundation, The Rotary Foundation? John Herlache recently presented at the District Assembly and then again at the Green Bay Rotary a program on PowerFlour and The Rotary Foundation. John visited Uganda at the invitation of Fr. Pius and The Rotary Club of Arua Uganda. First he described the need to feed the extremely malnourished children and how PF could help. I wish you could have seen the photos and heard his narrative. PF is helping and can provide vital nourishment.

But how? The answer: through your contributions to TRF Annual Programs Fund. Every Rotarian, Every Year. The $100 or more that you contribute to APF is divided into two parts at the end of a three year cycle. 50% is returned to our district to match proposals from clubs within our district. The other 50% is available from TRF to match grants submitted by our district.

Trace your donations from 2008 to this year in Uganda. Your dollars given three years ago were matched by our district to a grant written by The Rotary Club of Sturgeon Bay, which was in turn sent to TRF for an additional match. A project comes to life and the work of committed Rotarians doing good in the world happens… Children are fed.

John made the connection to Uganda. But each of us in our district played an important role. That essential part is the dollars we gave in 2008 to The Rotary Foundation. Each one of us is feeding and nourishing that skinny, weak and suffering child. We cannot hold that baby, but we have seen photos. We do not hear her cry of hunger and desperation but yet we do hear.

This is only one project of so many. The Rotary Foundation has other programs: GSE, Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars, Peace Fellowships and Polio. Think of the possibilities. We are just shy of 2000 members in 6220. If we each give something and that average is the suggested $100. Wow! $200,000. Do the math and calculate the matches, the impact, and the miracles. Feed the children, clean water, Peace, and no more Polio.

By working together, clubs around the world do make miracles. The Rotary Foundation is our partner at home as well as far away. It needs our support. We are Rotarians. The day we joined Rotary we committed to service with and for others.
Open your heart as President Banerjee asks each of us to “Reach within to embrace humanity.” See the smile on that tiny baby and hear the gentle cry of a healthy child. Give that others may experience the tiny miracle of a full tummy, a safe and healthy life.

Support your Foundation – The Rotary Foundation.