Rotary aims for local projects, global impacts

Feb. 17, 2023 | By Gwenna Peters Waterbury Rotary is seen regularly around town working on familiar events and projects such as Concerts in the Park, Not Quite Independence Day, the annual Food Shelf Turkey Drive, the Easter Parade and Egg Hunt, distributing dictionaries to third graders and a genuine presence in our community. In the recovery following Topical Storm Irene, Rotary Club members assisted with painting and rebuilding in Waterbury.

Wearing his "Rotarian at Work" shirt, Rotarian Al Lewis measures a sunflower head during the 2020 Sunzilla contest judging. File photo

Rotary District 7850 brings together clubs in the Northeast United States and Canada, each year training incoming Rotary presidents and connecting them to the other presidents in the district. The camaraderie and communication that develop help expand area-wide projects. Rotary Youth Leadership Academy occurs each spring to train young people in leadership and communication skills as another district project. 

Rotary is an international organization with a global reach with clubs in over 200 countries. Rotary Youth Exchanges promote international cooperation and friendship. With clubs in existence in so many places, Rotary can assist with aid in instances of natural disasters and when wars take their toll. For example, last year the Waterbury Rotary Club gave $2,000 to ShelterBox to provide shelter and support for families in Ukraine displaced by war.

Currently the humanitarian need in Turkey and Syria keeps growing following the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake on Feb. 6. The need for shelter for those surviving the event are compounded by the cold winter conditions and homes that turned to rubble. Over 33,000 deaths have been reported and the number continues to rise. Once again Waterbury Rotary has helped make an impact on our world by giving to ShelterBox to assist families following that disaster. Other efforts Rotary Clubs are making include help coordinating rebuilding materials, providing heat, blankets, tents, cooking stoves and supplies where they are needed for as long as the support is necessary. 

The nonprofit non-governmental ShelterBox organization was started by a Rotary Club in the town of Helston, Cornwall, UK, and it’s currently rated at 93% by Charity Navigator. They have people who track worldwide weather and natural disasters to assist getting help in place as soon as possible when needs are greatest. 

So when you watch the news and wonder how you can help, know that Rotary is helping not just in your community but in the district and the world. Waterbury Rotary recently provided $2,000 to ShelterBox for its ongoing work in Turkey and Syria. If you are interested in giving to ShelterBox you can contribute directly to the organization, ShelterBox USA, P.O. Box 5055, Santa Barbara, CA 93150. More information is online at shelterboxusa.org

Gwenna Peters is president of the Waterbury Rotary Club.