We are calling on District Governors to provide assistance by sending supplies and equipment, such as oxygen concentrators and ventilators and anything else they require. We encourage you to work with clubs in your district and coordinate with Rotary clubs in the country in need to facilitate an in-kind donation of supplies, and coordinate shipping--either through a private company or paying to have supplies shipped yourself. You can also establish a joint effort by partnering with other clubs, districts, or local organizations."
Quoting from their letter... "
With new cases topping 400,000 a day, a critical oxygen shortage, lack of hospital beds, and a mounting death toll, the situation in India shows no sign of waning, and help is urgently needed. Likewise, Brazil and numerous other countries are facing some of the same issues and there is great need for support.
We are calling on District Governors to provide assistance by sending supplies and equipment, such as oxygen concentrators and ventilators and anything else they require. We encourage you to work with clubs in your district and coordinate with Rotary clubs in the country in need to facilitate an in-kind donation of supplies, and coordinate shipping--either through a private company or paying to have supplies shipped yourself. You can also establish a joint effort by partnering with other clubs, districts, or local organizations."
Time is of the essence and the typical grant application process would take weeks or months to make resources available to help address this catastrophe. We want to respond expediently AND we have a responsibility to maintain our high standard of Stewardship for the contributions Rotarians have made to the foundation. As such, we intend to take a well defined approach that will insure proper use and accountability of funds and have the greatest impact in a timely fashion.
DGE Keith Brokke has reached out to fellow Rotarian Dr. Natarajan Gopalakrishnan from District 3212 to determine what is most immediately needed. In a word: OXYGEN. This is similar to what we have heard from RI/TRF and most news broadcasts. We will determine what has the greatest impact in the least amount of time. It may provide financial resources to District 3212 OR attempt to source oxygen concentrators and ventilators with necessary transportation to District 3212.
The District 5580 Grants Sub Committee will review potential dollars that are available (up to $6,000) that can be accessed for this disaster. Based on information received from Dr Gopalakrishanan, that would provide enough funds to help them acquire SIX oxygen concentrators. If clubs/Rotarians in District 5580 are looking for an opportunity to provide support to this effort and bring relief to the crisis in India, your contribution to (???? - the District 5580 Foundation??? noted for COVID Relief) would be greatly appreciated. Any dollar amount is helpful but if each club in the district provided just $100, that would double the number of oxygen concentrators District 3212 could acquire.
The most compelling close to this urgent request comes from RI President Holger and TRF Trustee Chair Ravi: As Rotarians, we have come together in the name of service to support communities in inspiring ways throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We are asking you to dig deeper and help India and other countries in need to find the light at the end of the tunnel and overcome the current wave of infections.
Yours in Service
Bob
Robert L McLean
District 5580 Governor 2020-2021
218.851.2303
