Rotary’s long-time motto “Service Above Self” has been proven over and over during our current national emergency. Many of our Rotary club partners have quickly mobilized action plans in their communities to serve those in need. Many Districts have already released grant funding to their clubs from The Rotary Foundation. Here are a few examples of Rotary service, showing how members are “People of Action!”
Rotary District 7620 has established a telephone hotline for high risk people who need volunteers to grocery shop and pick up prescriptions. Rotarian volunteers then meet this need.
The Rotary Club of Deerfield Valley VT has organized a project to send thank you cards to first responders and uplifting greetings cards to nursing homes. They are also sending art supplies to children with Food for Kids packages. In addition, they have established phone chains to check on elderly and the sick, and are regularly donating food to the local pantry.
In District 6440 in Northeast Illinois, 46 clubs have received District Grants and are more than matching those funds. In two weeks, over $100,000 in donations have been made to food pantries, food banks, shelters for homeless families and veterans. The funds have also provided needed PPE to local health care workers and senior centers.
The Rotary Clubs of Winnetka-Northfield and Wilmette After Hours in Illinois are supporting local restaurants and catering businesses by purchasing meals. The meals are then donated to nonprofits serving families in need and to local hospitals for front line health care workers.
The Lathrop Sunrise in California is providing hot meals to seniors, donating face masks to local health care facilities and supporting the local food bank through funding.
The West Allis WI club is providing face shields and masks to local health care facilities.
Many clubs have established face mask making operations, such as those in North Chicago and Rockford IL and Manassas VA.
Interested in starting an Operation Warm community service project with your club?
