Spring is finally here and the energy is rapidly returning to our world. I see the same vitality coming back into our clubs bringing a renewed sense of purpose and fun. I have had the privilege to visit a few clubs this last month and relished in the spirit of friends reuniting after a year of separation.
This month in many of the clubs we are celebrating students with recognitions or scholarships. Rotary continues to make a tremendous difference in the educational futures of many youth in our communities. I would like to encourage all of our members to continue to support your club’s efforts in funding your scholarship programs.
Another outstanding way our district is helping youth develop leadership skills is through our RYLA camp. This year Lori Benton and her committee have put together a virtual RYLA program that has many opportunities that have never been offered the students before. Thank you. Lori, for all your hard work in making this happen.
Omaha Downtown Rotary Operation Hippocrates team just returned from Belize. This outstanding humanitarian project was started by Omaha Downtown Rotary in late 1970's to provide medical assistance to British Honduras (now Belize). The medical team consists of Pediatric Cardiology Interventionist, Pediatric Nurse, Ultra-Sound Sonographer with equipment from Children's Hospital and Medical Center. To date, their visiting Omaha cardiologists have examined over 1,850 children. Many are alive in Belize today that would not have been without Downtown Rotary's Operation Hippocrates program which is funded through their service fund. To find out more about this project see the separate article in this newsletter.
Carol Horner and I had the honor to attend Norfolk Rotary’s 100 Anniversary celebration April 27th. There official anniversary was last year but because of COVID-19 it was postponed. It was a lovely evening celebrating the life of their club. Congratulations again for being such a vital part of your community and the Rotary world.
Remember to save the date for our district conference, Saturday, July 24th. This one day celebration is a Rotary Family event. My goal for this conference is to celebrate our clubs and the family of Rotary. I hope you all will sign up and bring your family. Where else can they learn and take part in this wonderful organization and become Rotarians themselves. We are going to have a fun event at Warner Park on Friday night to enjoy a summer baseball game with the Storm Chasers. More details will follow.
I am incredibly impressed at all the good Rotarians around our district do on a daily basis to improve lives, communities and our world. Keep up the tremendous work in opening doors of opportunities. Until next month take care of each other.
Warm regards,
Roxy Orr, District Governor