Members of Rotary are often the first to ask, "How can I help?" It warms my heart to have heard from so many of you wanting to know how best you could make a difference in these devastated areas.

 

We have just launched a new web portal to provide ways to support Harvey relief efforts.  I am also very pleased to announce the launch of the Rotary District 5340 Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization designed specifically to support disaster relief efforts like those taking place in Texas and Louisiana.  Starting today, the 5340 Foundation is collecting donations that will support the American Red Cross, and ShelterBoss. Donations you make to the 5340 Foundation can be earmarked for the charity of your choice (e.g. 100% to one or 50% to each) or they can be used to help fund our response to future disasters.  All this will be done while keeping future fundraising solicitations to an absolute minimum.

 

Several Rotary Districts have also mobilized and have provided information on emergency relief funds that they have set up.  Our new web portal can help sort through the options to support these individual efforts directly.  Please check harvey.rotary5340.org often, as we will be posting updates there on how Rotarians are supporting the relief efforts that are just now beginning.

 

While Harvey has been downgradd as a storm, it still remains a threat.  The cleanup  has not even begun in many parts of the region. Just this morning, new reports emerged of a chemical plant exploding due to loss of power and oil storage tanks toppling over from the floodwaters, releasing thousands of gallons of oil into the environment.  The for help is great.  I am heartened by the outpouring of support out District has shown. Rotarians are truly People of Action. Let's put our words into action and start helping these victims beging to reclaim their lives. 

 

Thank you very much

 

Scott Carr

District Governor 2017-18

 

P.S. Many Rotarians have also asked how they can help provide donations of item such as necessities like clothing, blankets and more. Many of the highways right now resemble lakes. (click here to see how bad it really is). When those roads dry out, our challenge will be the logistics of transporting those goods to the areas where they are needed most.  If you have ideas or leads on how we could transport these items, please email directly at scarr@rotary5340.org.