Page 8 - 2023年9月號

TRUSTEE CHAIR’S MESSAGE
Create your Rotary moment

When was your Rotary moment? It’s when A few months later, I got an email with a
you realize that being part of Rotary means more picture of Daniel. I will never forget his smiling
than just showing up for a meeting, when you face, despite the foot-long scar running down his
discover you are part of something that changes the chest, and what he wrote: “I know you helped me.
lives of others as it changes yours. You saved my life. Thank you.”
I will never forget the moment when I learned On behalf of Daniel and countless others, I am
about Daniel, a Haitian child. Rotary Foundation passing along that gratitude to all Rotary members
Trustee Greg Podd, who at the time was serving who have helped or will help this year.
with me on an RI committee, had been trying to get The beauty of Rotary, especially with The
Daniel on a plane for urgent heart surgery through Rotary Foundation, is that we can create these
the Gift of Life program. But Daniel couldn’t get Rotary moments anytime. Just reach out to others
the visa to travel, and doctors had given him only in Rotary and discuss our work. Our caring
months to live. network, our dedicated volunteers, and available
When Greg told me this, I remembered that resources will take care of the rest.
Gift of Life was operating in Haiti and we could do If two people can make such a difference,
the surgery there. This was on a Wednesday. Greg imagine what we can accomplish by working
helped get ahold of Daniel’s medical records. The together in larger groups through The Rotary
Gift of Life surgeon I knew Ñ who visited only Foundation. Picture the impact of clubs within a
once or twice every month Ñ happened to be in district joining forces for a Foundation district grant
Haiti. By Thursday, the surgeon had looked over to boost literacy, or two districts from different
the medical charts and told us that he could repair parts of the world transforming a community
Daniel’s heart but said he was traveling soon. We through a water, sanitation, and hygiene global
had to get Daniel to a medical facility by Friday grant.
morning. If you haven’t discovered your Rotary moment
Daniel and his parents rode 90 minutes on yet, keep searching. Serving Rotary through our
a scooter through the bumpy roads of rural Haiti Foundation is a great place to find it, and it will
to get to the facility, and the surgeon successfully change your life.
performed the procedure. Thankful, Greg and I BARRY RASSIN
moved on to other projects. Foundation trustee chair
Illustration by Viktor Miller Gausa

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