District Grants

Congratulations Holmen! – A $5,000 District Grant was awarded to the Holmen Club to place nine AEDs in area businesses. Project partners include the Holmen Business Association, Holmen Fire Department and Winona State University nursing students. This project will increase the number of AEDs available in the community by 45%.  
 
Open Application Pilot Project - The District Grant Committee is closing the open application pilot project on April 1. This timeline gives clubs time to apply yet this year and complete projects and reports before the May 15 due date. There is $21, 647 still available. If you have questions about submitting a grant application, contact Liz Evans, District Grant Committee Chair at d6250grants@gmail.com.
 
Grant Management Seminars have been completed for 2022. 44 clubs participated to be eligible for District Grants and Global Grants in 2022-23. Over $84,000 will be available for District Grants. Start planning your projects today. Applications are due by May 25 for projects to begin in July. If your club was not represented, you can still access Rotary grants by partnering with a qualified club. 
 

Global Grants

Announcing New Global Grant Committee Chair - Thank you to Mike Casey, Madison, who agreed to serve as the District 6250 Global Grants Subcommittee Chair. Mike’s experience with international projects and global grants will be a benefit to clubs in District 6250. Mike can be reached at jmcasey222@aol.com. The Global Grants Committee provides assistance with the global grant process and reviews requests for District matching funds.
 

Supporting Ukraine

With deep regret, many Rotary service projects have been placed on hold in Ukraine for the indefinite future. The following information about emerging ways to help was shared by PDG Rich Kaye, Rotary Region 36 Foundation Coordinator.
  • Rotary is in contact with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees – USA to prepare and respond to the needs of those being displaced in Ukraine and to neighboring countries.
  • ShelterBox, our project partner for disaster response, is in communication with Rotary members in Eastern Europe to explore how it may offer support with temporary transitional housing and other essential supplies.
  • PDG Chehab Elawar launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe - https://gofund.me/05876825. All collected funds will be managed by Rotary Ukraine for the benefit of youth and their families affected by military aggression.
Rotary International Official Statement
 
It is a tragic and sad time for the people of Ukraine and the world. 
 
At Rotary, we are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine and the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship there.  Continued military action against Ukraine will not only devastate the region, but also risk spreading tragic consequences across Europe and the world.
 
As one of the world’s largest humanitarian organizations, we have made peace the cornerstone of our global mission.  We join the international community in calling for an immediate cease fire, withdrawal of Russian forces, and a restoration of diplomatic efforts to resolve this conflict through dialogue. 
 
In the past decade, Rotary clubs in Ukraine, Russia and nearby countries have transcended national differences and have actively engaged in peace-building projects to promote goodwill and to marshal assistance for the victims of war and violence. Today, our thoughts are with our fellow Rotary members and others in Ukraine coping with these tragic events. Rotary International will do everything in its power to bring aid, support, and peace to the region.
 

Polio Plus Update

2021 marked a dramatic step forward in Rotary’s fight to eradicate polio.  We began 2021 with only two remaining polio-endemic countries—Pakistan and Afghanistan.  The World Health Organization confirmed only 1 case of polio in Pakistan last year.  Further, Pakistan has not had a confirmed case of polio since January 27, 2021.  Afghanistan reported only 4 cases of polio in 2021.  There was not a single confirmed case of polio anywhere throughout the world from January 27, 2021 through October 29, 2021—a period of more than 9 months!
 
Unfortunately, a case of polio was confirmed in Malawi in November 2021.  That case has been genetically linked to the virus that had previously been detected in Pakistan.  Because the recent case was an imported case, Malawi still retains its certification as a polio-free country.  As a result of its high level of surveillance in the region, the World Health Organization has launched a rapid pop-up vaccination campaign in the area.  This recent news only reinforces the fact that polio anywhere is a threat to children everywhere.
 
For over 35 years Rotarians have focused on the goal to eradicate Polio. Our clubs set a goal of raising $100,560 towards Polio eradication this year. Thanks to your generosity, we have reached 72% of that goal. Our support is just as important today as it was 35 years ago. Let’s reach this important goal to help protect children from the life-long consequences of this devastating disease. And don’t forget the 2:1 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation match that triples the impact of your contribution.
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

 
Dwight Heaney
Rotary Club of Fort Atkinson
District 6250 Foundation Committee Chair