Dear Fellow Rotarians,

For the past few days, our hearts have been moved and broken by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.  Whether it’s Florida, Georgia, or Western North Carolina, we have watched as people’s homes, businesses and lives have been lost. As Rotarians, we are “People of Action.” Our first response is to reach out and help, especially when those most affected are our neighbors just up the road in Western and Northwestern North Carolina.

As the new Rotary year began in July, District Governor Ron and our District Executive Committee asked me to serve as our District Disaster Response Coordinator. I took on this role with the attitude that when a disaster strikes we, as a district, will respond in a way that makes the most impact and in a way that practices good stewardship of district funds. Over the weekend, DG Ron has been in communication with the District Governor in D7670 (Western NC/Asheville/Boone) to assess needs and to see how District 7690 can make the biggest impact. DG Ron and I, and the respective DG will continue to be in communication in the coming days as we create a planned response. So, as People of Action, what can we do now?

• Donate: Partner with businesses and agencies in your community who are transporting much needed non-perishable items to the affected areas.  Find out what is being collected and donate as a club. This is a great opportunity for our communities to witness first-hand that Rotarians are “People of Action”!
• Give: In the coming days, I will be working with DG Ron and our District Executive Committee to create a district financial response plan that will make the most impact. Therefore, please do not send money to the district at this time. There will be a time to send money. When that time comes, I will share with you where our district funds will go.  If you so desire to send money now, please send it to our Zone 33-34 Disaster Relief Fund at the following link: https://www.rizones33-34.org/disaster-relief/
• Stay updated:  Check our #District 7690 Facebook page for real time updates.  This the link to the District 7690 facebook page

Working together, we can do much good in these devastated areas and show everyone “The Magic of Rotary”!