Rotary Weekly Thoughts

Week 27:

This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about Rotarian efforts to alleviate hunger through World Community Service.

Rotarians have rallied to the aid of nearly 3.5 million people affected by famine in Niger, one of the world's poorest countries. The West African country is, at the best of times, prone to severe food shortages resulting from insufficient rains.

The two Rotary clubs of Niger, both based in the capital of Niamey, have set up a crisis committee and a bank account to coordinate and facilitate relief efforts. In addition to contributing approximately US$1,000 toward a disaster fund, the Niamey clubs are helping with the collection and distribution of emergency relief, including bags of rice from Rotary clubs in Côte d'Ivoire, and mosquito nets from Dakar, Senegal. The crisis committee is also working on procurement and transportation of food items, creation of cereal banks and a food exchange program and the purchase of life-saving medicine.

Rotary Volunteers are also sought to help promote vegetable gardening and the growing of off-season crops by irrigation. This is a long-term effort aimed at improving food security, diversifying food sources, and creating income-generating opportunities for farmers.

We need to remember that even small gifts make a huge difference to people in need. World Community Service, and the support of Every Rotarian, Every Year is a way for our club to make a real and lasting difference.

Week 28:

This week’s Rotary Foundation Thought is about meeting your personal financial objectives while supporting the humanitarian and educational programs of your Rotary Foundation.

Rotarians make the Foundation’s worldwide programs possible with generous and regular outright contributions. While charitable giving is its own reward, you may be pleased to learn that your gifts can often be tailored to meet a variety of personal and financial goals as well.

In some countries, donating a capital asset such as stock securities and real estate may provide you with additional tax benefits.

To learn more about how you can help The Rotary Foundation through effective gift planning, visit www.rotary.org or e-mail: EveryRotarianEveryYear@rotaryintl.org .