[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 873

[Garry Krischock]

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 Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 

1. 1649: Memorial fund set <>  up for shooting victimsRyan Hyland From:
Sunil K Zachariah 

2. 1650: Feb Message from TRF Chair <>  From: Sunil K Zachariah 

 

 

1.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1569;_ylc=X3oDMTJxb2pxa
jF2BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1N
jkEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIzMzM1ODYwMg--> 1649: Memorial fund set
up for shooting victimsRyan Hyland 

 

Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:17 am (PST) 

Memorial fund set up for shooting victims
Ryan Hyland 

The Rotary Club of Clackamas, Oregon, USA, and Rotary International 
District 5100 (parts of Oregon and Washington, USA) have established 
memorial funds after two Rotary Youth Exchange students were killed 
and five others wounded in a shooting outside an underage nightclub 
on 24 January in Portland. 

The two victims, Ashley Lauren Wilks, 16, of Happy Valley, Oregon, 
and Martha Paz De Noboa, 17, of Arequipa, Peru, were at the club to 
celebrate a birthday with nine fellow exchange students when the 
incident took place. The five injured students have all been released 
from the hospital. 

Investigators of the Portland Police Bureau described the shooting 
as "a random act of violence," and said that the victims did not 
appear to be targeted and did nothing to provoke the 24-year old 
gunman, who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our focus now is on 
supporting the surviving victims and their families, and the family 
and friends of the students who have died," District 5110 Governor 
Dennis J. Wickham said in a release. "Immediately after being 
notified of the tragic incident, Rotary's procedures and personnel in 
place for such an emergency were activated." 

District 5100 has established a fund to help defray some of the 
medical and travel costs incurred by the victims, their families, and 
the host families. Any funds remaining after paying these expenses 
will continue as the Martha (Tika) Paz De Noboa Memorial Scholarship 
Fund. 

The Clackamas Rotary club has set up a memorial scholarship fund at 
Clackamas High School, where Wilks was a student. The club's 
foundation will define the criteria for applications with Wilks' 
interests and motivation in mind. Wilks, a straight-A student, was 
hoping to spend her senior year in France or Spain. 

"Ashley was a wonderful person who had a strong passion for 
international studies and peace," says Shirish Patel, past president 
of the Clackamas club. "Our club and community are deeply hurt by 
this loss. Our hearts go out to Ashley's family and friends." 

Scott Bieber, youth protection officer for District 5100, says the 
safety and well-being of students is always a top priority, but adds 
that the program also strives to give participants the authentic 
experience of being a U.S. high school student. 

"Sadly, you can't plan or prevent for something like this," says 
Bieber. "We're all shocked and saddened. But we are focused on giving 
the victims and their families the support and trauma relief they 
need." 

Hundreds of Rotarians worldwide have contacted district officials to 
express their condolences and offer their support. In addition to 
monetary help, the district's Youth Exchange officers set up a 
volunteer support committee to assist students and their families. 

Committee coordinator Brandie Kajino, a former Rotary exchange 
student, says the outpouring of support from Rotarians has been 
unbelievable. 

"It's extremely touching to see all the caring Rotarians selflessly 
willing to volunteer their time and money," says Kajino, a member of 
the Rotary Club of East Portland. "Through good times and bad, Rotary 
has always stuck together. Now more than ever, we need to mobilize 
and help these kids get through this horrific tragedy." 

Kajino notes the sad irony that students who aimed to build peace and 
goodwill were victims of such a senseless violent crime. 

"It's heartbreaking," says Kajino. "Having experienced the Youth 
Exchange program, I know the difference this program can make. It's 
an incredible and life-changing experience that will only strengthen 
the lives of students who participant." 

Contributions for the District 5100 fund can be sent to the following 
address: 

Portland Rotary Charitable Trust for Youth Exchange 
Attn: January 24 Fund 
619 SW 11th Avenue, Suite 123 
Portland, OR 97205 

Contributions to the Ashley Wilks scholarship fund can be sent to the 
following address: 

The Clackamas Rotary Foundation 
c/o Thomas Joseph
PO Box 601 
Clackamas, OR 97015 

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

2.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1570;_ylc=X3oDMTJxNWtiM
jc1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1N
zAEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIzMzM1ODYwMg--> 1650: Feb Message from
TRF Chair 

 

Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:19 am (PST) 

February 2009 
Message from the chair -- Building goodwill through our Foundation


Dear family of Rotary, 

The mission of The Rotary Foundation asks Rotarians to advance world 
understanding, goodwill, and peace. That's a tall order in a world 
where ethnic conflict, terrorist attacks, and civil strife fuel 
hatred and threaten stability in so many regions. But the second part 
of the mission tells us how we can reach this ambitious goal: through 
improving health, supporting education, and alleviating poverty.

Today, 5,000 Foundation grant projects are addressing those issues 
through efforts as diverse as digging wells in Guatemala, equipping 
schools in Afghanistan, and funding microcredit programs in Uganda. 
The Foundation is setting the stage for peace by making life more 
stable for people in need. 

As Rotarians, we promote international understanding and enjoy 
international friendships. Those friendships take root every time an 
Ambassadorial Scholar meets his or her host family or a district 
welcomes a Group Study Exchange team. Such life-changing experiences 
broaden our perspectives and sharpen our interest in the world. 
Through Rotary and its Foundation, we foster personal relationships 
that transcend borders and form a foundation for peace.

February - World Understanding Month - focuses our attention on 
international understanding, goodwill, and peace. By supporting our 
Foundation and participating in its programs, we find many ways to 
achieve those goals. 

Jonathan Majiyagbe 
Foundation Trustee Chair 

Courtesy: eFlash Rotary

 

 

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