Local Rotary clubs send relief supplies to Ukraine

The Rotary Club of Lewiston, NY and Niagara-on-the-Lake, in combination with local Rotary District 7090 – which includes over 70 Rotary clubs in Southern Ontario and Western New York – announced a $25,000 grant to aid the citizens of Ukraine.

In September, local Rotarians applied to Rotary International for a grant of $25,000 to assist in sending medical equipment and humanitarian necessities to Ukraine. Collaborating with the Rotary Club of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine – and Warehouse of Hope – Not Just Tourists in North America, as well as AMA Hope, a total of over $169,000 of relief supplies, including 500 trauma kits, 50 hygiene kits, medical equipment, supplies and bandages, were sent and distributed in war-torn areas of Ukraine.

Rotary District 7090 Gov. Lisa Bishop from Delhi said, “It is the efforts of Rotarians in D7090, committed to ‘doing good in the world,’ The Rotary Foundation, and strong partnerships with humanitarian organizations … made this project happen so quickly, and we delivered hope to Rotarians in Ukraine.”

Rotary District 7090 Foundation Chair Sandi Chard of St. Catharines spoke during a recent district meeting and said, “Southern Ontario and Western New York Rotary clubs were extremely supportive and worked together to secure products, and helped with packing and shipping of the much-needed equipment. Five pallets carrying medical and humanitarian supplies were delivered safely to the Rotary Club of Ivano-Frankivsk to handle proper dispersion of all supplies.”

Rotary International has over 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs. “Service Above Self” is the Rotary motto. Rotarians who belong to local clubs have participated in constructing “Little Lending Libraries” throughout their communities; worked together in the Great Lakes Watershed Cleanup; managed “FUNdraisers,” which benefit not-for-profit agencies; and volunteered at numerous community events, all throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

To learn more about Rotary in Southern Ontario and Western New York, call 716-754-2424 or visit www.rotary7090.org.

Rotarians are shown packing in a St. Catharines warehouse. (Submitted)