Posted by William Inniss on Sep 09, 2019

Thank You!
To Our Caribbean Neighbour Districts and Clubs
District 7000 in Puerto Rico
The citizens and Rotarians of Puerto Rico continue to rebuild after the island was devastated in 2017 as a result of hurricane Maria. Many still live under the cover of flimsy tarpaulins. Despite their own difficult conditions, the Rotary leaders have received support from the local community and approved a total contribution of over $20,000 to Rotary Bahamas relief. We are very appreciative of such a generous gesture.
 
District 7030 Pledges US$110,000
Rotary Clubs in District 7030 have together pledged just under US$110,000 to the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts in The Bahamas.  DG Trevor Blake in proposing a US$10,000 cash response from the District Disaster Fund, also encouraged clubs in the District to support the response with their own cash contributions to the Bahamian Rotary Disaster Relief Fund’s account.  District Disaster Chair PDG Stephen Ramroop, also joined the appeal, stressing to his team that “cash is now required for cleaning up the debris and battered homes and washing off the dirt and leaves from homes”. 
 
Clubs have contributed/pledged funds from their disaster relief accounts and collected donations from their members. Some have held, or plan to hold, radio-thons, tele-thons, and are partnering with local businesses to raise funds towards the cause.  Clubs and members are encouraged to send their contributions directly to the Bahamian Rotary Relief Fund’s bank account, and report it to the District. 
 
At 24 September 2019, 9 clubs in the district have already wired funds totaling US$19,345 to the Bahamian relief fund.  An additional 26 clubs have also pledged US$90,402 to the fund, which should be sent shortly.  To date, four weeks after Hurricane Dorian hit the Bahamas, clubs in the District have donated or pledged US$109,747, and the efforts still continue.  Of special mention, although the country is still on the road to recovery from the devastating impact of a major hurricane two years ago, the Rotary Club of Dominica has pledged US$29,815, from member contributions, club contribution and partnering with a local radio station to do a radio-thon.  One club has indicated they would donate two shelter boxes.  Several clubs are still to report their contributions. 
 
Funds wired to the Bahamian Relief Account - US$19,34
Rotary Club of Antigua  - US$1,000                    Rotary Club of Antigua Sundown - US$1,615
Rotary Club of Arima  - US$1,000                       Rotary Club of Aruba - US$2,000                
Rotary Club of Barbados South - US$2,500      Rotary Club of Chaguanas - US $2,200           
Rotary Club of Willemstad - US$3,030               Rotary Club of Penal - US$1,000                     
Rotary Club of Paramaribo Residence - US$5,000
 
Further pledge - US$90,402
Barbados Rotary clubs- US$27,500                   Rotary Club of Curacao - US$2,500
Rotary Club of Dominica - US$29,815 (Club contribution - USD$16,852; Radio-thon - US$12,963)
Rotary Club of Felicity/Charlieville - US $700   Rotary Club of François - US$550
Guyana Rotary clubs (with Civil Defense Commission and the National Communications Network) public Tele-thon - US$4,400
Rotary Club of Gross Islet - US$2,960                 Rotary Club of Maracus/St Joseph - US$2,075
Rotary Club of Point-a-Pierre - US$500               Rotary Club of Princes Town - US $1,500
Rotary Club of San Fernando - US$2,000           Rotary Club of San Fernando South - US$1,000
Rotary Club of San Juan - US$700                      Rotary Club of Schoelcher - US$550                  
Rotary Club of St Augustine - US$4,000             Rotary Club of St Augustine West - US$1,000
Rotary Club of St Kitts - US$5,000                       Rotary Club of Saint Lucia - US$1,852
Rotary Club of St Vincent - US$1,000                  Rotary Club of Southwest-Tobago - US$800
In addition, the Rotary Club of Saint Pierre has pledged 2 Shelter Boxes.
BVI Telethon receives additional $10,000
Thanks to the nation-wide telethon we reported in our earlier news updates, One Mart supermarket in Tortola donated a further $10,000.00 bringing the total for the event to over $160,000! 
Hon. Mark Vanterpool, member of BVI House of Assembly, his wife Judith Vanterpool and the staff of One Mart Supermarket present check to Rotary
 
Thank You!
To Districts and Clubs in Great Britain & Ireland
 
 
Rotary GBI’s Disaster Recovery Trust raised over $25,000 so far.
Just days after the hurricane hit the Bahamas, thanks to Rotary GBI President Donna Wallbank and Past RI Director Brian Stoyel, an appeal was launched using the Disaster Recovery Trust so that clubs across the UK could donate through the Trust and qualify for additional Gift Aid funds
 
Rotarians in Dorset held collections
The Dorset Echo reported the Melcombe Regis Rotary Club held a collection at Morrisons supermarket and Weymouth Rotary Club in the town centre and at Goulds Garden Centre.
 
Maryport Club arranged a film night 
The Cumberland News reported that Maryport Rotary held an event at the local Theatre Royal. The film, Definitive Therapy, is based on a short story by F Paul Wilson and was adapted, directed and produced by Workington Playgoers member, Ben Brinicombe. 
 
Support from Wales
The Cardiff Bay Club has pledged funds which will be sent directly to the Bahamas for immediate availability.
 
Rotary in North Cotswolds held Collection 
According to the Cotswold Journal, North Cotswolds Rotary organised a store collection outside the Co-op in Bourton-on-the-Water, raising, with gift aid, £450. The club added money from their emergency reserves and have donated £1000 to help alleviate the situation on the ground. Rotary clubs around the world have been taking similar action and will be working with local Rotary clubs in the area – an important part of belonging to Rotary’s international family. 
“We were fortunate to have detailed information on the conditions in the Bahamas from Diana and Roger White from the Rotary e-Club of the Caribbean, who are currently in Stow-on-the-Wold and who have been visiting our club,” said North Cotswolds Rotary president John Barber. 
 
Diana explained that as aid comes in, Rotary in the Bahamas is beginning to move to longer-term strategies in preparation for helping their economies to recover. “It will take time,” she said, “but that is what Rotary is best at.” 
 
Another relief initiative has been taken by a former member of the North Cotswolds Rotary, David Rogers from Upper Rissington, who is currently in Florida. Along with a friend who has been flying supplies into Grand Bahama, David has been helping to organise urgently needed relief supplies for desperate survivors. David has linked up with members of Rotary in Sarasota to organize larger container shipments.
 
 
Thank You!
To Districts and Clubs in the USA
The Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation has received a $30,000 anonymous donation which in support of Rotary’s efforts in the Bahamas.
 
The Rotary Club of Sarasota Foundation is donating $15,700 in support of the Hurricane Dorian Relief effort.  This is the result of a $10,000 grant from our Foundation funds, coupled with an additional $5,700 from members who supported the effort.
Rotary Districts on the west coast of the United States formed The White Hat Society in September 2004 at the Rotary Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona to promote regular, significant, annual giving to the Rotary Foundation
 
The society has opened the White Hat Society Recognitions to the Bahama Relief.  Any Rotarian contributing to the Bahama relief may count that towards White Hat Society recognition.
 
Membership in this Society requires a donation to the Rotary Foundation of $5,000 US in a single Rotary year. Our Members receive a White Hat Certificate, a White Hat pin marked with a Southwestern Concho provided at no cost by Russell-Hampton, an email subscription to the White Hat newsletter, and an invitation to the annual White Hat celebration held in major cities around the world.
 
Donations on behalf of the White Hat Society must be made directly through the member’s own Club, District, or Foundation account in the usual manner. No funds should ever be sent to the Society. Donations must represent new contributions to the Foundation and not ‘Points’. Once the $5,000 level has been reached in a Rotary year, simply notify the Society to receive the membership kit. Donors should notify The White Hat Chairman, PDG Ed Mullen of District 5870, ed.mullen@taptrain.com, 254-698-2304. We operate on the principles of the Four-Way Test, so your word is good enough.
 
Women of Rotary District 6950
The women in District 6950 are planning a Holiday Basket Event in November. Rotarians and friends in D6950 continue to work together to fill containers bound for Grand Bahama Island.
 
 
Thank You To Our Incredible Donors Around The Globe
Fund in Rotary Bahamas $800,000+ RI DAF $86,000
DNA-RAG $56,000 UK Disaster Recovery Trust £22,000
 
Ways to Contribute
ALL DONORS:
For Wire Transfer directly to the islands go to Bahamas Rotary Disaster Committee  
Important Note: please be sure to advise in advance, the following details of funds being remitted to the Bahamas:
 
For crypto currency donations sent weekly directly to the Bahamas, payment may be made online at Delchain Limited
 
UK DONORS:
To qualify for Gift Aid, donate to Rotary’s Disaster Recovery Trust for Caribbean Hurricane Dorian
 
US DONORS:
For a 501c3 US Tax Exempt donation use any of the following
PayPal D7020 through Disaster Network Assistance
PayPal D6990 through District 6990 in Florida
GoFundMe for Rotary 7020 Dorian Relief
Rotary District 7680 DAF No. 574  via Rotary International
How to Donate Online
Sponsors