Our Rotary year has passed its half-way point and our DGE Carol Horner is busily getting her goals set and her team assembled and trained for the next term.

But wait!!!! There is still a lot of this Rotary year remaining to create opportunities…in growing our clubs…creating new clubs…raising funds for polio…finding new fundraising ideas for TRF…and having fun!

This is an exciting year! I am thrilled at all the wonderful projects and progress you all have made this year. Today, we had the opportunity to hear Rotary International General Secretary, John Hewko present the program at Omaha Suburban. What an opportunity. John stressed the importance of creating fresh ideas to help Rotary to grow. He marveled at how clubs have faced the new reality of integrating technology into our club meetings and have created innovative clubs with special focus.  Rotarians have found ways to create projects even while being restricted on getting together.

I thought of the many clubs around our district that have continued to create projects with tremendous impact while bringing their members together safely.

I also thought of the outstanding response there has been in the multi-district virtual food drive. As of tonight, the project including the matching funds totals $34,985.00! Our partnered district 5630 has decided to keep the food drive open until the end of February in conjunction with other food insecurity projects its clubs are doing. There still is time to contribute more to the final total. This effort is helping so many families get through these difficult times. Thank you all. To donate to the Virtual Food Drive, click here.

I challenge all Rotarians to find ways to encourage people to get their COVID-19 vaccines. The sooner we can get immunized, the quicker we can feel comfortable getting back together. There may be an opportunity for your clubs to help transport seniors to vaccination clinics. As Rotarians we want to set the example of ending this epidemic, as we have with Polio.

Speaking of Polio, Omaha Suburban Rotary has Rotary International. Polio Plus Chair Mike McGovern as its program February 18th. Please join the Zoom meeting to hear the recent accomplishments in our race to end Polio. Here is the link.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82837266647
Meeting ID: 828 3726 6647

Since this is the month for Valentines, I leave you with this message, “If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.” —Maya Angelou

Happy February.
Roxy Orr, District Governor