The Camp, RI Foundation, Chili Open and More!

Posted by DANIEL O'CONNELL 
 

I and three other Akron Rotary members, including our foundation committee chair, attended a Rotary International regional seminar at Hiram College on September 21st to learn more about the International Rotary Foundation. One of the designated funds discussed was the Polio Plus fund. By the way, most of you know that the Camp was started mostly for children with Polio. What you may not know is that the structure of the RI Foundation is such that they have a separate fund one can designate strictly for the final fight against polio.

Rotary, along with other agencies,  are in the final stages of wiping it out. A polio survivor and past District Governor spoke to us on the subject and it really meant a lot more coming from him.  I suspect we will hear more about the work of the RI Foundation from some future speakers, but I can tell you that it is amazing how far a few dollars go when used for international projects.

Speaking of the Camp, what a nice get together we had on the 23rd. To me, the highlight of the evening was the talk of Dawn  Housley about what the Camp did for them and their children. They have four adopted children and at least three of them have some degree of disability. The Camp dramatically helped one child, and provided respite to the parents who adopted these children. It is amazing the amount of self- sacrifice this couple showed as they described their daily lives to the 70 or 80 Rotarians and their guests attending.  The talk was an emotional one, not just for the presenter, but for those listening. I hope those of you who were able to attend enjoyed the food, music (by Gene Fiocca and his band) and fellowship. Thanks to Ellen Otto and Dan Reynolds in particular for putting this together.

Behind the scenes there are a lot of preparations going on for the 20th annual Chili Open. I was on the original Chili Open committee as many of you were when it was a new and exciting project for the Club. The money it raised has really helped the Camp financially over the years and needs our continued support. Mark Krohn has some new ideas for this year which he hopes will renew the original excitement that he will be sharing with the Club. Let's all get behind his committee and anybody who can help on the Chili Open, please see Mark.

There are some new international projects brewing similar to our Fiorella project (plastic surgery) in Costa Rica and the Laundry project (new appliances) for an orphanage in Brazil. Duane Angel is exploring a possible water well project overseas. Amazing that such a necessity as drinking water is needed, but the reality is, that many parts of the world do not have readily accessible water. These projects are in the talking stages and Amador and his Service committee will also be involved as we learn more. We need Volunteers for the Service Committee, if you are interested please contact Amador.
Finally, we are planning a holiday get together for the Christmas season thanks to Ginny Wojno-Forney. I just asked her for help, so we will let you know more as soon as we know more details, but the place and time are tentatively set at the Women's City Club on Dec 18th.

A lot happened this past month, and I'm happy to report that the motto" Service above Self "is alive and well in our club. Thanks for your continued support. 

                                                      Yours in Rotary,

                                                       Dan O'Connell

Sponsors