By:  Sarah MacGillivray, Secretary and Public Image Coordinator, District Foundation Committee, RC of Bath Sunrise
 
The Foundation Committee has so much to be excited about as we come to the end of 2022.  Here are some of the highlights that we’ll cover when you click for more at the end of this summary.
 
Last month we had the fantastic One in a Million Foundation Celebration, and a wonderful time was had by all!  Photos and more details are in our full article, below.
 
Carolyn Johnson shares the exciting news on the awarding of the Disaster Relief Grant in Ukraine.
 
“Imagine One's Dream” a limited-edition print, signed and dated by Darren Jones, a Chicago artist, and brother to Rotary International President Jennifer Jones, is being auctioned to support OUR Rotary Foundation.  Find more info below as well as the link to the online auction.
 
With the end of the year drawing near, many individuals are looking to make donations.  We’ve included the email that was recently sent on #Giving Tuesday, in case you missed it, some information on our Polio Plus Society, and so much more!  There is even a special thank you video at the end of the article that we hope you enjoy, so please keep reading!
 
The One in a Million Foundation Celebration was an evening to be remembered! We recognized our donors as well as our doers.  The true highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Dr. Susan Black Champion of Service Award.  We heard from Lucy Lloyd, president of the Brunswick Coastal Rotary Club, who accepted the Champion of Service award in honor of Dr. Susan Black for her many years of dedication to doing good in the world. Dr. Susan passed away earlier this year and is greatly missed by her fellow members of the Brunswick Coastal Rotary Club. She was especially interested in international work, mainly a service project in Burundi, which helped to provide medical care to expectant mothers, teaching hospitals, and raised money to buy an ambulance. Thanks to all who support the Rotary Foundation that helps make projects like this a possibility so Rotarians like Dr. Susan Black can do good in the world. This award will be given each year at our District’s Foundation Celebration to one dedicated Rotarian!  See all of photographer Don Chick’s photos here, (Don is with the RC of Portsmouth.) Below are a few pictures from the event.  
 
Mark your calendars for the first weekend in November of next year, because we don’t want you to miss it!
 
 
Overview of D7780 Disaster Relief Grant to assist refugees fleeing conflict areas of Ukraine, which we had announced was awarded in last month’s newsletter:
The project requested $25,000 to repair the roof of a monastery in Lviv, Ukraine in order that the space is habitable. Though unused for many years, the third floor of this building is currently being used as a refuge for women and children fleeing areas in Ukraine that are more involved in active military conflict. We have acquired an MOU from the nuns at the convent, confirming that the space is available to the refugees and will remain available for emergency shelter for as long as the conflict and the need exists. We have confirmed that the building is sturdy and can carry the additional electrical and plumbing demands by housing additional people. The Rotarians will purchase the majority of the construction materials in Poland and some in Ukraine. Our Rotarian partners in Poland assure us that they have experience transporting materials across the border so that they (and the Rotarians) safely reach their destination and that the materials will be used for the purposes for which they are intended.
 
There are other needs for the structure and for the refugees - a corridor that needs repair, small appliances, black-out curtains, etc. The Rotarians in Poland are securing many of these items, but a functioning roof will enable the people staying there to be safe, warm, and dry. Clubs in D7780 and in Poland have committed to raising funds to cover potential overruns for the construction and to supplement costs for these additional items to make the structure habitable.
 
The project is being championed by Carol Marcotte, President of RC of Saco Bay Sunset. The project proposal was completed in consultation with Rotarians in Lublin, Poland (Mateo Karczmarczuk of the Rotary Club of Lublin-Centrum) who will oversee the project. Rotarians in Lviv, Ukraine (Borys Bodnar, Past President of Ukraine Unity Passport Club) are aware of this project proposal and have consulted with the planning and will assist with implementation.
 
 
 
Submitted by: Carolyn Johnson, PDG and D7780 Global Grants Chair, RC of Yarmouth and Carol Marcotte, President, RC of Saco Bay Sunset
 
"Imagine One's Dream" is a framed print offered by District 7780 through an online silent auction continuing through most of February. The top bidder will be announced on Rotary’s 118th birthday, February 23, 2023. Proceeds will be designated for the Rotary Foundation’s Polio Plus fund.
The “Imagine One’s Dreams” original painting was a combination of acrylic paints, industrial staples, shredded studio paperwork, plaster, and beach sand painted on a wooden panel. For this piece, Jones used beach sand from their family cottage in Ontario, and the paper he shredded and used included the "Objects of Rotary and the Four Way Test." After the textures were layered and dry, Jones said he began the color process by literally applying paint to his hands and then onto the panel. The color palette was inspired by the colors of the Rotary and the Presidential theme. "The gradient shading is also done on purpose to create a more landscape emotion, representing the horizon we all walk towards" states Jones.
The numbered print is framed. It will be a beautiful addition to a home or office, reflecting the importance Rotary plays in the lives of people around the world.
To make a bid, click here.  
 
Earlier this fall, information on the District 7780 Polio Plus Challenge was sent to club presidents. Many clubs are stepping up and doing great work to raise awareness as well as funds!  The idea of the challenge was, first and foremost, to assist clubs by providing help with ideas on events and to provide links to help make them easier to accomplish.  It was also being looked at as a year-long program, not just something to do in October.  So, over the next few months, we will share more information and keep you updated on how our District Clubs are doing with the challenge, and ways that your club can still participate.  For more information, please click here.
 
From our Annual Giving Chair, Jeffrey Slaton, RC of Saco Bay:
Giving Tuesday happens once a year, but your gift to Rotary will make a difference for a lifetime.  This Giving Tuesday, please consider making a special gift to Our Rotary Foundation, and together we can continue Doing Good in the World.
 
It is with heartfelt gratitude that we thank you for being part of Rotary and giving back to your communities as you do. Our Annual Giving Chair, Jeffrey Slaton recently shared, “I have had the honor of attending several Rotary International Conferences and there is nothing like being around 20 thousand like-minded people in one space. People like yourselves, tirelessly striving for a better tomorrow even for those you may never meet.” 
 
Jeffrey wanted to make sure we all know that our gifts to the Annual Fund help each of us act today to create a positive change in our communities at home and around the world. Your contributions and generosity help us strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, protect the environment, and fight diseases. 
 
The Every Rotarian Every Year initiative (EREY) asks every Rotarian to support the Rotary Foundation every year. In addition to contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, members are encouraged to get involved in a Foundation project or program. 
 
Again, thank you for your support of the Annual Fund, and believe us, the gratitude felt throughout the world will not go unnoticed. 
Be well this holiday season.
 
Our District’s new Major Donor Chair, Ron Smith, echoes Jeffrey’s message and wants to remind us all that as we draw to the end of the year, it is a wonderful time to look at your Annual Giving with OUR Rotary Foundation. Ron is a new member of the Fryeburg Club and PDG from eastern PA. If Polio Plus is your passion, consider joining our Polio Plus Society.  David Taft, its chair and member of the RC of Brunswick, checked in with me this month and said that we still have just over forty members total in our District.  If you are a Foundation chair, and you think you may have members that David hasn’t been made aware of, please reach out.
 
And lastly, enjoy this thank you video from OUR Rotary Foundation because we all want to say "Thank you!"