More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population.
Rotary's goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
I've been so encouraged by our club projects from Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise's book collection that has collected over 50k books over the last three years to the E-Club NEO's Little Free Library that offers books for free to passersby.
It's been a busy month 2 (plus)! Hence the tardiness of this newsletter! My apologies.
Thank you to all the Rotarians who have welcomed me to their special events and meetings over the last month or so. Club official visits since our last newsletter have included Lakewood Rocky River Sunrise, Hillcrest Sunrise, Mentor, Chardon, Berea/BW Rotaract, Chagrin Highlands, Fairlawn, Ashtabula, Brunswick, Aurora, and Ravenna. A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to PDG Mike Davanzo, District Vice Secretary, (Medina Sunrise) for his help in coordinating my visits! It's been a marathon schedule and I sure appreciate him.
I was also honored to attend the Medina Sunrise 9/11 memorial. This beautiful ceremony recognized our first responders and honored airline flight crews and all of those we lost that tragic day 22 years ago.
Of course we won't ever forget the excitement of welcoming our Rotary International President Elect Stephanie Urchick.
Special thanks to Beverly Ghent-Skrzynski (Cleveland) and Dave Skrzynski (Berea) for coordinating and hosting our RIPE with sold out events and Northeast Ohio hospitality! It was such an honor to have her here with us!
The visit included lunch with the RC Cleveland at the Union Club, meeting with the RC Mentor and the RC Willoughby at Broadmoor School and culminated with lunch with the RC of Akron and guests at the Akron Rotary Camp. There was an introduction to the camp by Executive Director Dan Reynolds (Akron) and a testimonial by camper parent Judge Brown (Tallmadge). Click on each link to view photos from the RIPE events.
We have also held 2 Pints to End Polio and Pours to End Polio events where in total we've welcomed over 50 Rotarians and friends and raised $3,000.00 including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation match. Check out the schedule in this newsletter for an event coming near you. Next up September 28th 5:30 to 8pm at Forest City Brewery in Cleveland. Thank you to all who have come out to support and especially DGE Dale Smith (Mentor) who has been a fantastic partner in making these happen.
Looking forward to seeing you at the do-over End Polio Now baseball game at Progressive Field - there will be an opportunity for Rotarians to parade around the field prior to the game and catch up with Rotarians from Districts 6600, 6630 and 6650.
Please note the AZ Baker Award Criteria are now available! Please click here.
If I haven't been out your way, I look forward to visiting soon!
Thank you, thank you, for all you do for our communities!!
In Rotary Service,
Julie Brandle, DG 6630