The Rotary clubs in our district (7850: Northern Vermont, Northern New Hampshire and Southern Quebec) along with clubs in neighboring Rotary District 7870 that includes Southern Vermont, and friends literally around the world have raised funds which have in turn been matched by the Rotary International Foundation, totaling $412,450 for continuing Tropical Storm Irene Relief efforts.
Rotary Director for Zone 32 Ken Grabeau (from Nashua, NH) wrote us:  “I am most pleased to advise you that your long awaited grant request has been approved by the Rotary Foundation Trustees!  This is all the more significant in that approximately $200K of TRF (The Rotary Foundation) funding for this US hosted grant is fully half of the remaining funds available in TRF in this Rotary year.  Congratulations to all who have worked so hard and waited so long for this most rewarding result.” In addition, Michael McGovern (Of Cape Elizabeth Maine), incoming Rotary Foundation Trustee from Zone 32 wrote:  “Congratulations on receiving what is probably the most substantial Rotary Foundation grant ever received by our region for services in our region.”

Rotary District Governor Jan McElroy of District 7870 and Marilyn Bedell Governor of Rotary District 7850 are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to making this a reality.

Rotary’s main objective is service – in the community, in the workplace, and around the globe.  The 1.2 million Rotarians who make up more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in nearly every country in the world share a dedication to the ideal of Service Above Self.  Rotary clubs are open to people of all cultures and ethnicities and are not affiliated with any political or religious organizations.  Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations.