PP Jaie Flores and Rtn. Kristin Love Layague
What can a dollar do? In a world where the value of money drops at breakneck speed, some may answer, “a piece of candy” or “nothing much.” In fact, in a busy city, a crowd may simply step on it, failing to notice its existence. But what if we tell you that a single bill can protect a child from polio, one of the most devastating diseases in history? What if it can rebuild an impoverished child’s crushed dream to get a diploma, give a man a job that would feed five others? What if it can change lives?
The Rotary Club Foundation has been doing these wonders for over a century. Since its founding in 1917, it has a vast number of accomplishments under its name. Just in the last five years, it was able to grant over $150 000 000 for disease prevention and treatment, over $50 000 000 on basic education and literacy, over $35 000 000 on maternal and child health and many more. All these were possible through the generous hearts of their donors who trust that their gifts would certainly be transformed into acts of love that ‘do good in the world’.
Some may hesitate to give because their gifts may be ‘too little’ or might fall into the wrong hands. The Rotary Foundation saves people from these worries because it emphasizes the value of goodwill in giving – not the superficial worth of money. Big or small, the organization accepts donations that when pooled together can do great things. As its founder, Arch Klumph said, “It is eminently proper that we accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world.” Reputable charity evaluators such as Charity Navigator and Charity Watch gave them 12 stars (excellent) and an A-plus rating respectively.
To date, funds are financing some of the organizations biggest global projects – a cervical cancer project, clean drinking project in schools, water filtration installation and maintenance project, donation of neonatal ICU equipment and human milk bank. While these are ongoing, Rotarians from all over the world are also working on local projects that reach even the smallest communities.
One of these local districts is Rotary Club of Imus Independencia (RCII) that commemorated its 16th handover and Induction Ceremony and 2nd Virtual Anniversary through a conference last September 24 where there were two pledgers for Paul Harris Fellow, a pledge to continue to become an EREY Club and two pledgers for sustaining members. This shows that the global foundation continues to flourish with its smallest units striving to keep the legacy alive.
The nature The Rotary Foundation is that it operates through the trust that people bestow upon it. The more support they get, the more lives they change. Donors are the life support of their programs. Their programs are the life support of children, struggling parents, communities that live in futile lands with limited water supply and many more. It’s a cycle that involves countless lives. May the spirit of giving in everyone be the assurance that this life support remains until charity has fully achieved its purpose.