Every Rotarian in District 5300 by now is aware of the catastrophic series of events in Japan that has devastated their country and their economy. However, I am struck by the quality of their resilience and the respect shown to their fellow survivors.
It will be a long and desperate struggle for the country to recover.
Governor Roger Schulte has asked me to work with Soly Asmar, District Disaster Relief Chair in devising a plan to help this devastated country.
In spite of our own economic difficulties both individually and business wise, the fact is that tonight we will go home to a warm bed, a meal, and our families. Hundreds of thousands of people in Japan will not. Many of those have lost their entire family, all their possessions and are facing an extremely bleak future in the short and long term.
There are several ways we can help alleviate that pain and suffering.
We can provide longterm relief through donations to Rotary Internationalʼs Japan and Pacific Islands Disaster Relief Recovery Fund. That information is on Rotary's website, and will give you enough information to help you make a choice. You receive credit toward becoming a Major Donor, though not Paul Harris points.
You can simply give to a charity of your choice. A list of Rotary-approved organizations is on the District Website;. For example, a donation to other organizations such as American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, or Save the Children, will provide immediate relief needs. We can also donate ShelterBoxes either individually or through our club which will provide housing, medicine, food and clothing for up to three months for ten people. Go to Shelter Box for more details. If youʼve already donated to any of these, including Rotary International, thank you.
Our goal is for every Rotarian who has a warm house, a nourishing meal and loving family to go home to tonight to take a moment and put him or herself in the Japanese survivorʼs shoes for a minute and then ask, "Can I afford NOT to do this?"
Japan is one of Rotaryʼs biggest contributors to the Foundation and has been for years. We have an opportunity to show we care and to help this Rotary friend. In a letter I received this morning, District 2530 District Governor Hiroji Ohashi describes the devastation and hardships in great sorrowful detail. He also included the following information regarding a fellow Rotarian:
We (D2530) are now in a big fear that is the problem of the nuclear power plants. One Rotarian who is a Assistant Governor in our District is working on the front line to relieve our mind and go back to normal the nuclear energy. We all trust him and pay oneʼs respects to him. He said, "I MUST DO IT." " I AM A ROTARIAN!"
A fellow Rotarian is risking his life. Weʼre simply asking you to help in any way you can.We are painfully aware of the personal financial economic situations and hardships faced by fellow district Rotarians. Each of us should be able to give up that morning"Latte" on our way to work. Over a monthʼs time thatʼs $100 that could be sent to relief funds and all you missed out on was a morningʼs eye opener.
Thatʼs our plan, simple and direct. If we all give a little, we can help a lot. In 2004 we donated over $125,000 to the Tsunami Relief in Southeast Asia. We think we can top that. We have set a goal of $150,000 and need your help in reaching that goal. Make your personal gift directly to the Rotary Foundation or the charity of your choice. Please let us know how much you or your club has contributed so the District can keep anaccounting. Direct that information to PDG Roy M. York. We will print the totals only, and will not disclose various names and clubs unless specifically requested.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Sincerely,
Roy M. York
Past District Governor District 5300 (2004-05)
Rotary International
