Report compiled by Diana White, past district governor, and District 7020 Rotarians

The destruction left behind by Hurricane Dorian is devastating. In parts of the Bahamas, literally everything is gone, replaced by piles of rubble where homes once stood. Roads blocked with debris and thousands on thousands left homeless and in need of supplies.

As Rotarians in District 7020, one of two districts that cover the Caribbean and hard-hit Bahamas, we immediately switched into assistance mode. Significant donations of supplies are funneling in from various local efforts and through international disaster relief agencies.

As this aid continues to come in, Rotary in the Bahamas is beginning to move to longer-term strategies in preparation for helping the economies to recover. We will get in to do a needs assessment as soon as access is possible and work in coordination with the government. We also plan to raise impactful funding to bring these communities back.

It will take time; but that is what Rotary is best at.

District 7020 in the Bahamas (and other islands) is who we just did our Rotary Friendship Exchange with this past April.  God willing, hopefully a team will still be coming to visit us in October.

Their district is coordinating an effort to help those devastated in their country.  They have been sharing with me so many videos from friends and close family in Freeport and Abaco. So much destroyed.

They are gathering items on the islands not as badly hit. What they will need to help rebuild is funds.  They have coordinated a fund and are starting to aid those in need.  During the last big disaster that hit the Virgin Islands, these Rotarians- who are the home club of Barry Rassin, our last RI President- oversaw 54 projects on three Islands.  So, they are very versed in helping in these situations.

These are the words below from my Rotary friends:

“Funds are a priority because our experience is that persons are often inundated with the same things or not the necessary things. Funds allow strategic acquisition of needed items.”

Julie Craig,
Fellowship Chair
District 6270

Danila Danesi and Joe Gutsmiedl were inducted into the M-T Sunrise Rotary Club at Friday's club meeting.

Pictured from left: Maureen O’Leary, Danila Danesi, Joe Gutsmiedl, Seth Duhnke, Dave Schlageter (Club President), Brian Monroe and Doug Hansen.

Brian Monroe was presented the Service Above Self award at Friday's club meeting

The Service Above Self award recognizes Rotarians who have demonstrated exemplary humanitarian service, with an emphasis on personal volunteer efforts and active involvement in helping others through Rotary.

Pictured from left: Dave Schlageter (Club President), Brian Monroe and Dave Kliber.