[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 849

[Garry Krischock]

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Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 

1. 1610: Floods and <>  landslides leave thousands homeless in Brazil From:
Sunil K Zachariah 

 

2. 1611: Swiss Rotarians stage National Polio Day <>  From: Sunil K
Zachariah 

 

Messages 

1.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1529;_ylc=X3oDMTJxbHZmN
2VrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1M
jkEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyODgxMTIzNA--> 1610: Floods and
landslides leave thousands homeless in Brazil 

 

Mon Dec 8, 2008 9:16 pm (PST) 

Floods and landslides leave thousands homeless in Brazil 

Recent flooding and landslides in southern Brazil have caused more 
than 43,000 people to flee their homes and left 84 dead after days 
of heavy rain. Government officials estimate that 1.5 million people 
total have been affected. Transport is paralyzed in many areas 
because roads were cut off by flooding and landslides making aid 
delivery difficult. The state of Santa Catarina is reported to be 
the most heavily affected area. Residents are in immediate need of 
food, clean water, medicine, and shelter. 

District 4650 is collecting financial contributions and donated 
goods to assist victims. Supplies needed include:

Non-perishable food 
Cleaning supplies (soap, brooms, etc) 
Drinking water 
Infant supplies (disposable diapers, powdered milk, etc) 
Mattresses 
Clothes 
Cooking supplies (pots, pans, and utensils) 
Relief distribution will be managed by a District 4650 Task Force 
comprised of local Rotary, Rotaract, and Interact clubs, and Youth 
Exchange students. 

To make a contribution to this relief effort contact, District 4650 
Governor Valdir Celso Fiedler. Please consult with project contact 
before collecting or sending donated goods. 

Learn more about this disaster at www.reliefweb.org.

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

 

2.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1530;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcWVic
zh0BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1M
zAEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyODgxMTIzNA--> 1611: Swiss Rotarians
stage National Polio Day 

 

Mon Dec 8, 2008 9:21 pm (PST) 

Swiss Rotarians stage National Polio Day 
[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/swisspolio2.jpg]
Rotarians volunteered at more than 200 booths across Switzerland during
the national polio action day. Photos courtesy of Rotary Suisse
Liechtenstein.
Swiss Rotarians used their creativity and numbers to join the thousands
of Rotary clubs who have raised funds for Rotary's US$100 Million
Challenge.

More than 200 Swiss Rotary clubs pooled efforts for Swiss National Polio
Day on 13 September, raising US$643,000.

Some 13,000 Rotarians across districts 1980, 1990, and 2000 supported
the event, with help from 16 Rotaract clubs and countless other
volunteers, including employees of Rotary International's Europe and
Africa Office in Zurich.

Working with local political leaders and regional health officials,
Swiss Rotarians set up bright yellow booths, decorated with a colorful
sunflower design, on sidewalks and city squares in 200 cities and
villages across the nation.

On the day of the event, booth volunteers donned yellow vests used
during polio immunization campaigns to sell small packets of 10
sunflower seeds for 75 rappen (about 64 cents), roughly the cost of a
single dose of oral polio vaccine. Each packet bore the Rotary emblem
and the words "With only 75 rappen you are in!" to demonstrate
how even the smallest contributions toward polio eradication can make a
difference in a child's life.
Reaching the goal
The Swiss public's response surprised even organizers.

"Clubs brought in revenues that were 30 percent higher than we
expected," says Andreas Kleeb, past president of the Rotary Club of
Zug-Zugersee in District 1980.

"Our goal was clearly achieved," says District Governor Urs
Herzog, a polio survivor. Key to that success was the effective planning
and volunteer efforts of Rotarians. "The participation from clubs in
our district went beyond expectations."

It was also a public relations coup for Rotary in Switzerland, as the
organization and its top goal of eradicating polio was spotlighted
throughout the national media.

"I was happy to see that some newspaper publishers in my district
provided full-page reports on our activities," says Urs Bollinger,
governor of District 2000, which also covers parts of Liechtenstein.

This campaign was the first stage of a strategic effort to promote polio
eradication awareness in Switzerland and Liechtenstein and raise
US$830,000. More coordinated activities are being planned for upcoming
months.

"We are very happy because this action day was the most important
measure of our campaign," says Kleeb.

Adapted from Rotary Suisse Liechtenstein , the certified regional
magazine of Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

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