As I look back on 2020, I reflect on how our lives have changed. The global COVID-19 pandemic brought pain and loss to many of us. And for almost all of us, our daily lives, family time, and work also changed this year. But we've made it to the end of this difficult year, not on our own but by reaching out to one another, as we always do in Rotary. With each passing year, I become prouder of our organization.
I will choose to remember 2020 as a year of great change and strength for us; Rotary didn't stop, despite the pandemic. We removed obstacles, found new ways to connect, and embraced new approaches to service, such as online projects and virtual fundraising. I have invited two Rotarians to share their stories about how Rotary grew stronger this year.
District Governor Robert (Bob) McLean and his wife Terri pictured with RI President Elect Holger Knacck and his wife Susanne
This is Rotary Disease Prevention and Treatment month… With all that has been impacted due to Covid this theme seems fitting not only for December but for the entire first six months of this Rotary year. With remarkable speed, vaccines are starting to be deployed; appropriately going first to the most vulnerable and the front line people who care for them. The vaccines provide a much needed ray of hope at the end of a tunnel… granted it is a very long tunnel still ahead. Be sure to read the article by RI President Holger (also in this newsletter) highlighting some of the actions Rotarians can be taking in support of our communities as the Covid vaccines start to roll-out!
This story originally appeared in the December 2020 issue of Rotary magazine.
By Maureen Vaught
Follow these steps to organize a food drive on your own, or with a local food bank
Master gardener Alex Portelli was having lunch at an elementary school in Marion, North Carolina, where he volunteers, when two students, brothers, sat next to him in the cafeteria. “One brother pulled out his lunch and started eating,” recalls Portelli, president of the Rotary Club of Marion. “I asked the other brother where his lunch was, and he said, ‘It’s not my turn to eat today.’ I thought, ‘Oh, no. Not during my lifetime.’ That’s the type of personal story that gets us involved.” Portelli is now the chair of his county’s local food advisory council, and he’s active in the Rotary Zones 33-34 Hunger Challenge.
Submitted by: Marjorie McPeak, District 5580 Literacy Coordinator
There are many things all of us consider as part of our Holiday activities, but some of us don't recognize the Literacy possibilities of the Season. This is a time when families are together and the usual routines of virtual or in-person school are not in place, but Literacy efforts need not fall behind., especially for the youngest students. I know that many of us no longer have young people in our homes. If that is the case with you, please share the following thoughts and ideas with others who do.
From the earliest days of Rotary, we have been encouraged to reach out in service beyond the walls of our own homes. We desire to be true Rotarians and share our abundant blessings with others. Each of us would like to reach out in service to share those blessings with others, but we may not know how to start or where to go. JustServe.org is designed as a resource to help us as individuals, families, and groups find opportunities near our homes to help those in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. Video - JustServe Introduction Video (1:22 min)
Submitted by: Allison Kingston, Community Fundraising Coordinator, ShelterBox Canada, Rotaract Club of Toronto
ShelterBox and Rotary are official project partners in international disaster relief. ShelterBox is a registered charity independent of Rotary International and the Rotary Foundation
20 YEARS OF GRATITUDE: Home for the Holidays
As the calendar year comes to a close and we reach the half-way point of the Rotary year, families all over the world are gathering in new ways to find gratefulness in being together, however that may look. Thank to our supporters in 2020, ShelterBox has been able to ensure that over 25,000 families have a home for the holidays. Home is the center of all that we do at ShelterBox, the same way as home is central to our lives, families, and communities.
Editor's Note: This section showcases news items submitted by clubs. Clubs are encouraged to send news items for inclusion in "Cross Currents".
In this month's Club News we would like to ask what your club is doing during the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak that is keeping clubs from holding face-to-face meetings throughout much of District 5580 pursuant to the U.S. Center for Disease Control recommendations against any gatherings where 10 or more people are in the same location.
We encourage District 5580 clubs to share what you are doing to help your communities during this challenging time!
Editor's Note: This section honors the Rotary legacy of District 5580 Rotarians who have passed away during each month. Clubs are encouraged to send information and share reflections for inclusion in "Cross Currents".
This month we remember long standing Rotarian Richard "Dick" Donat of the Staples Rotary Club.
Newsletter articles contain a Social Media Share Bar allowing them to be shared on various Social Media platforms.
Articles and photos for the District Newsletter can be sent to District Administrator, Gloria Mink, at gloriad5580@outlook.com. Articles should be sent in Microsoft Word format. Photos should be sent in .jpeg format. Past newsletter issues may be viewed here.
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