RYLA is back!! After the restrictions and isolation we all experienced during the past two and more years of pandemic we can all celebrate that our District's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, an exceptional development program for youth, has returned in person. RYLA South, for 15 to 18 year olds, is happening at Camp Elphinstone, near Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast, March 25 to 28. Spots are still available, clubs and the 5040 RYLA website have registration information with a February 23 closing date.
Rotary members and program participants throughout Rotary District 5040 are improving lives in many communities of British Columbia and around the world every day through thousands of service projects. Here are some examples of how People of Action in Rotary have made life better for others in service above self. Learn what other clubs are doing to inspire yours and share in the value of the Rotary experience.
Of our 48 clubs in Rotary District 5040 in 2021-22, 39 (81%) earned the Rotary International Citation. In turn, our District has now received an international Rotary Citation for a District which achieves 50% or more of its clubs receiving their Rotary Citation.
As last year's District Governor Lorne Calder says, "This is quite the accomplishment. Zone 28 includes 20 Districts, including all those in Canada, plus Alaska and parts of Northern United States, and we are one of only three Districts in the Zone to have received the Citation. Globally, we were among only 91 (17%) out of 526 Districts to have achieved this distinction. This is the second year our District has earned its Citation."
From food support programs, fundraisers and youth to social events, Ukrainian new family support and First Nation presentation on Rotary, check out recent achievements and activities of some of our 49 clubs in Rotary District 5040.
Not being able to hear a favourite song or the sound of a loved one’s voice is a reality for over 400,000 BC residents who suffer from severe hearing loss. For over 40 years, the Rotary Club of Vancouver’s Hearing Foundation has provided life-changing care for children and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing. From funding Canada’s first-ever Cochlear Implant surgery in 1982, to completing over 770 surgeries, raising $3.6 million and committing $6 million for the creation of a new Hearing and Balance Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver for research, restorative care, and recovery of patients with hearing loss, Rotary Vancouver's Hearing Foundation has pursued its mission to bring back the sounds of life for so many in need.
Accessing specialist medical services for residents of Squamish can be a challenge for some. For those who cannot drive to Whistler or the Vancouver area because of a medical condition or following surgery and family or friends are not available and if paid services or not suitable or too costly, it's a worrisome problem. To meet that need in the community Rotary Club of Squamish has awarded a grant of $20,000 to fund the launch on March 1st, and first year of operation, of a new MediCar service for residents in need of transportation to specialist medical services at no cost to them. - photo courtesy of the American Cancer Society
In Pakistan a severe monsoon season has caused devastating floods and affected millions of people. Seen here, Shabana’s home was destroyed and she now lives in a shelter made of sticks and cloths. In Ukraine, the ongoing war has led to a continued humanitarian crisis. We’ll begin fundraising efforts soon to finance disaster response grants from these funds.
A devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake ravaged southern Turkey and northern Syria on February 6, 2023. Over 35,000 people have lost their lives, and this tragic number is continuing to rise. It is now the worst the country had seen since 1939, when the Erzincan earthquake in eastern Turkey killed nearly 33,000 people.
The Rotary Foundation Trustees decided that all donations made, from now until 31 March, to the Turkey/Syria Disaster Response Fund will be used to aid earthquake relief projects. In addition, the Trustees made available more than $125,000 to Rotary districts affected by the earthquake through Disaster Response Grants. Many Rotary members are asking how they can help. Here's how to have the greatest impact.....
During February Foundation Giving Month, our District 5040 will match the donation of US$500 or more by any members of our clubs with US$500 value in points towards a US$1,000 Paul Harris Fellow Award. Please contact District Governor Nominee Drew Antrobus or District Executive Administrator Nancy Eidsvik to take advantage of this opportunity and receive a tax receipt from Rotary.
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