Our neighboring Rotary Districts in Vermont are setting up a Rotary Foundation Matching Grant to help our neighbors whose homes and lives were washed away by Hurricane Irene.  The grant will provide home heating oil and replenish food supplies in the affected areas.  Our district has pledged  $10,000 in Foundation funding (DDF in Rotary parlance) and Governor Gary's challenge to all clubs to participate resulted in 19 clubs raising a total of $9,500! That money, together with money raised from clubs throughout New England and throughout the world, means that more than $400,000 will go to our neighbors right here at home! The generosity of Rotarians is truly heartwarming. 

 

How often do our clubs participate in Rotary Foundation grants to help others in far-away corners of the globe? While this is certainly a good use of our Foundation dollars, it's also terrific to know that, when a humanitarian disaster strikes close to home, the Foundation can respond here as well.

Our District Foundation Committee has pledged to provide $10,000 in District Designated Funds (our share of dollars donated to the Rotary Foundation's annual giving campaign) to help out in Vermont.  Governor Gary has challenged all clubs in the district to match these funds -- and that challenge has raised an additional $9,500 from 19 clubs.  All of these monies will be matched by the Rotary Foundation to help meet the goal of this emergency humanitarian grant.