The Rotary Club of Ashland recently learned it has received local and national recognition for its philanthropic efforts.
Club President Gary Plano was notified on Jan. 20 that the club has received the Bronze Hero Award from ShelterBox USA recognizing outstanding dedication and support from the members of the club. These efforts have supported household needs for individuals worldwide who need a safe place to live while rebuilding their communities, Peggy Carlaw, ShelterBox Ambassador, said in an email to the president.
“Your support is very much appreciated, not only by ShelterBox USA,” Carlaw wrote, “but by the people who will have hope because they’ll have a safe space to begin their recovery.”
Following the earthquake that hit Haiti in August of last year, the Rotary Club invited a regional member of the ShelterBox team to speak to the club. At that meeting, more than $1,200 was raised for ShelterBox. In addition to the Ashland club’s support, the Rotaract Club of Southern Oregon University has raised more than $10,000 for ShelterBox over the past four years. The club has also been recognized as a “Hero” for its generous support.
Locally, members of Rotary presented gift cards ($50 each, totaling more than $1,100) to members of the Ashland Senior Center last month, along with hand-made scarves created by members of the Interact Club at Ashland High School. Interact is a high school club sponsored by Rotary Club of Ashland that helps young people discover the power of “service over self.”
Also in December, Rotary Club members donated more than $500 of personal hygiene items and local gift cards to Options for Helping Residents of Ashland (OHRA). Cass Sinclair, executive director, stated, “Your generous gifts will help continue the vital work of assisting Ashland’s homeless and economically stressed neighbors to stabilize and move toward self-sufficiency.”
The Rotary Club of Ashland, which is celebrating 80 years of service this year, meets weekly on Thursdays. Its meeting schedule is online at ashlandrotary.org.
Source: Rotary Club of Ashland news release. Email Ashland.news at news@ashland.news.
