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Foundation Month:
Leave a Legacy |
The Rotary Foundation provides an opportunity for each of us to leave a legacy through Rotary programs and our contributions. Eradicating Polio from the face of the earth is one legacy each of us can support and becoming a Benefactor is one way to contribute to this and other Rotary programs.
We as Rotarians can all share in the Polio Eradication effort and
rejoice at its completion. Amazing progress has been made in
eradicating polio by Rotary and our partners since 1987:
- 2,000+ cases a year in 1987 to 480 new cases in 2001
- over 50 countries in 1987 to 10 countries left in 2002
- an estimated 4 million children have not contracted polio
since 1987 because of Rotary and our partners
Here in the words of PDG and District Polio Eradication Chair Jerry
Showalter is the latest information on how our district is doing in
supporting this effort:
The Polio Eradication Fund Campaign is well on it's way in our District. Our Area Coordinators have given talks to nearly every club and the 3 year commitments are coming in from the clubs. We are having a successful Campaign and ask any club that hasn't yet made their commitment to get theirs immediately into their Area Coordinator. Today 22 clubs have committed $217,850 against our target of $600,000 total over 3 years.
We as Rotarians can be very proud of what we're doing to eliminate Polio from the world. We must succeed. We are a critical point and we can't let up now. We will "Fulfill our promise: To Eradicate Polio." I look forward to our centennial year and the International Convention in Chicago (2005), when we can say that there is not a case of Polio in the world - PDG Jerry Showalter
Being a benefactor is one way to contribute to the Rotary Foundation's wide range of educational, cultural, and humanitarian programs. Benefactor gifts ensure that dreams of a better life become a reality for thousands of deserving people throughout the world. Here in the words of District Benefactor Chair Cheryl Kohout is why others have and why you should consider becoming a Rotary benefactor:
Some of us are awakened to the importance of estate planning when we
prepare to go on a vacation in a foreign land. Others may be prodded by a closer-to home vacation that entails risk, such as a river trip down the Grand Canyon. Still others may be motivated to visit their estate-planning professional prior to the arrival of the first grandchild, a death in the family, serious injury or illness, or you just want to make sure that programs and organizations you truly believe in will still be around to help others.
Many of your fellow Rotarians has designated Rotary in their will. I asked about their reasons.
Jingle Mahan: " I thought I just don't have the flexibility financially to give now, but when I heard that I could designate a portion of my estate to Rotary through my will. I signed up immediately. It gives me great pleasure to be able to say that through me Rotary will be able to continue its great work".
Jeff Wegge: "As a Financial Planner myself, I understand the importance of planning ahead. I wanted to make sure those wonderful programs that the Rotary sponsors are continued and this is one way to ensure that result. Jody and I became a member of the Benefactor Society last year and encourage you to consider joining this important club".
"I myself became a member of the Benefactor Society this month. I
realized that I could make a difference. Rotary has become a very
important part of my life and this is one way that I can give back". -- Cheryl Kohout
I invite you to invest in the Rotary Foundation by designation a gift from your current assets or a portion of your estate to the Permanent Fund. By participating, you will join fellow Rotarians whose combined efforts continue to improve and enrich the lives of thousands of needy people around the globe. -- Cheryl Kohout
Rotary is doing amazing work in the world with efforts such as Polio
Eradication. You can be part of life changing efforts like this
through your giving to the Rotary Foundation through the Benefactor and other contribution (Annual Fund, Major Gift/Permanent Fund) avenues. Make your contribution now and help leave your legacy through Rotary.
Yours in Service to Others through Rotary,
Dave Schafer
District 5960 International Service/Foundation Chair
2002-2003 GSE Team Leader to East Africa 2000
schaf022@tc.umn.edu
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