Rotary Golf & Dinner Event - May 29
See FLYERfor more details!!
Rotary Clubs Provide Mobility for Adults with Physical Disabilities in India
The Rotary Club of Minneapolis is co-sponsoring a large project to provide adult tricycle-wheelchairs to people in southern India whose severe disabilities prevent them from walking. The adult-sized, balloon-tired tricycles are propelled by means of a large hand operated crank, with several configurations available to accommodate specific needs. The tricycles are manufactured in India and distributed by the Rotary District of Kothagudem, India, which also partnered in this project.
“Through this project, we feel we are helping provide dignity and hope for those ravaged by polio and other debilitating diseases. For many, having a tricycle will mean first time mobility, independence and self-sufficiency. Rotary has already accomplished much in eliminating the threat of polio in the world, and now it is time to help those who still suffer grave disabilities,” said Tammy Laurent, District Governor of Minnesota’s Rotary District 5950.
In conjunction with 22 additional clubs from Minnesota, this project provides more than 476 of these tricycles to those most in need.
Local Community Service Grant Awards 2007-2008
Each year, the Local Community Service Committee represents the members of Minneapolis Rotary in their support of local community service projects. The Committee does this by accepting applications for financial support, evaluating the requests, and recommending distribution of funds to nonprofit organizations that work toward improving the quality of life within the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Since 1980, the club's grants have totaled close to a million dollars.
This spring, 23 Rotarians served on the Local Community Service Committee and reviewed 59 grant applictions totaling $187,611 in requested financial support. After the review process, the committee was able to fund 30 non-profit agencies. The total amount awarded was $51,000 with an average grant award of $1,700. These grant dollars were raised by Minneapolis Rotary members during the fall fund drive for the Minneapolis Rotary Foundation. For a job well done, congratulations to Local Community Service Committee Members Kevin Argall, Sharon Bloodworth, Skip Bohn, Michelle Drake, Roger Frommelt, John Fox, John Goodwyne, Bill Gullickson, Mark Hegman, Joyce James, Rick Lundin, Bob Laskey, Peter Marston, John Mauriel, Don Meisel, Rich Miller, Pat Moore, Stuart Noun, Doug Petersen, Amy Rolando, Lloyd Stern and Tom Woehlke. A special thanks to Tim Buggy who not only reviewed several grant applications, but also stepped in mid-stream as committee chair. We also thank John Swon for his leadership, as we continue to monitor his improving health.
