It is hard to believe that December is upon us and the club visit schedule has been completed. From July 15th to November 15th , Brian and I visited 58 clubs and traveled just over 13,000 miles. The Clubs raised over $70,000 for Polio Plus from the auctioning of the polio baskets and another $7,000 for the different hat exchanges for Sparky. The last hat put on Sparky was by the Rotary Club of Reno Centennial Sunset. Those Rotarians paid $1,000 for Sparky to wear a Green Beret until the District Conference in May.

It has truly been a privilege to meet so many inspiring Rotarians along the way. To see what many in District 5190 are doing to help our Rotary families and others that have lost so much from the devastating fires is beyond words. Our District goal is to raise $100,000 through fundraising efforts and the Giving Trail. To date we have raised just over $49,000 through the Giving Trail. These fundraising efforts will remain open until June 30th . You can go to https://givingtrail.org/campaigns/200040/rotary-district-5190-emergency-fire-relief if you would like to contribute or share the link with your friends. You can also send a check directly to Paradise Rotary Foundation, c/o Sheer Memorial Chapel, 2410 Foothill Road, Oroville, CA 95966.

The Rotary Club of Susanville knocked it out of the park by raising $61,000 from a Boot Drive utilizing their local fire department and Rotarian DJ. The Rotary Club of Placerville put on a Pasta Feed and raised $81,000 for those that have lost so much.

These fires resulted in 13,792 homes and 528 commercial buildings lost, 52,000 people evacuated, and 153,336 acres burned. It is so hard to even imagine, however what hasn’t been hard to imagine are the Rotarians that have stepped up to the plate in so many ways to help those that have lost so much. It is this heart of service that truly inspires me and makes me so proud to be a Rotarian along side each and everyone of you.

The Month of December is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month. Disease does not prevent itself. As Rotarians. we educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.

 
Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.

Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care. Our health is everything. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care. Rotarians know the importance of fighting disease, with $65 million given in grants to fight disease, and today we have reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our program started in 1985.

 

Brian and I are looking forward to spending time with our families over the Holidays. We wish you good health and happiness during the Season.