With everything that is going on and continued smokey skies outside, it is really hard to be positive, but then we receive messages of concern and action by our District Governor Cindi O’Neil. First she put out a need for Red Cross volunteers and told everyone how they can volunteer by helping either on-scene or at home. We have a few from our club who wanted to help and I would ask that if you have signed up to be a volunteer, or are already a Red Cross volunteer, please let me know too, as they would like all Presidents to keep track of club volunteers. Also she has sent out a Letter telling us about the Rotary District 5110 Fire Relief Strategy to help rebuild after the fires to be led by Past District Governor, and our club member Rick Olson. He will run a District wide task force developing a template for future natural disasters similar to what was done for the Paradise fire two years ago in California. This will focus on helping people and businesses after Red Cross leaves, and for needs that FEMA does not address. He will work with AG Pete Gribskov to develop a model for disbursements, using information from the Paradise Rotary club foundation on how they did it in 2018.
We will have another great program this week from Huerto de la Familia (the family garden) telling us about how this organization is helping in our community. Also District secretary Beth Sheehan will tell us how we can participate in our District Fund Raiser “Rotary Steps Together,” which will now include a way to raise money for fire relief. Both of these efforts are highlighted in the bulletin.
I hope to see you all at this weeks meeting. Remember to join early for our 1200-1215 social time and to invite a freind.
Stay safe out there,
Tom Gilmour
