The Rotary Club of Temple has raised $16,000 for food, water, medical equipment and shelter for refugees from the conflict in Ukraine.
The fundraising generated news coverage from the two Central Texas television stations and the Temple newspaper.“This money will go to Rotary’s Disaster Response Fund that is providing critical humanitarian support for our friends in Ukraine,” said Rod Henry, president of the Rotary Club of Temple. “Service above self is our motto, and Rotary International has a history of helping people in need with projects around the world ranging from drilling water wells to helping cure Polio.”The support from local club members has been generous according to Barbara Bozon, Temple Rotary Foundation Chair. “We met our first goal so quickly, we set a higher goal, and we have now exceeded that one,” she said. The announcement was made at the club meeting today.The Temple Club initially offered to match donations from club members dollar for dollar up to $500 per member, pledging up to $5,000 in matching funds for a total of $10,000. That goal was met in less than a week prompting the club board to increase available matching funds up to $7,500.The new goal of $15,000 has already been surpassed with $16,000 in total donations, and the club will continue to raise money from its members through April 8.Funding will support Rotary clubs in Europe who have engaged in humanitarian relief for the millions of refugees, mostly women and children, who have sought safety in neighboring countries.“If you have never felt immensely proud to be a Rotarian, today is the day,” past club president Jack Jones said in an email to club members.“I am incredibly proud, impressed and not the least bit surprised at what Rotary Clubs all over the world are doing to help the people of the Ukraine,” Jones wrote. “Once again, Rotarians speak with their actions and not their words, and they do so immediately and with unified effort. When people are suffering and need of care, they can always count on Rotary to be the first to step up. We are truly all citizens of the same world. God bless Rotary.”Rotary is 1.4 million individuals in 46,000 clubs worldwide. Rotarians provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through a fellowship of business, professional and community leaders. The Rotary District of Central Texas has 62 clubs and more than 2,750 members serving their communities in Central Texas.