News Update 9-11-08

Thank you. On behalf of the Children of the Dump in Chinandega, Nicaragua, I thank all of the clubs, Rotarians and friends of Rotary who supported the Christmas Shoe Box program this year. In all, 16 clubs and an estimated over 300 Rotarians, friends of Rotary and children were involved in the process this year.

We were given 400 shoe boxes and even though several challenges were presented to us in the last several weeks prior to taking them to Michigan for shipment, we were able to exceed this number. The request for additional help was sent out to North East Ohio and the response was remarkable. Due to the efforts of Marsha Pappalardo, RC of Brunswick, she was able to purchase and assemble the needed boxes and in the final count, we sent 450 shoes boxes to the children from north east Ohio. (I originally reported to the clubs a number of 445 but I received 5 more after notifying them of the results.) This is over 112 percent of our goal. Many of the children will be receiving a Christmas gift for the first time.

Last year we sent 300 shoe boxes involving 7 clubs. In addition to the 450 shoe boxes, with the miscellaneous items given to us, we were able to fill 14 boxes of various sizes that will be given to the school teachers, sewing teacher at the trade school, and the medical clinic.

On Saturday, August 30 Chip Rogers and his Dad and Stan Socha of the RC of Brunswick transported 3 vehicles filled with the boxes and extra supplies to Troy, Michigan to be combine with items that PDG Larry Wright put together. The shoe boxes will be combined with over 3,000 shoes boxes from other Rotary Districts and States and will be shipped to Nicaragua by Wal- Mart. It takes several months for the shipment to arrive and will be distributed to the students when we are there in December. 

At he present time, over 15 Rotarians and Friends of Rotary will be joining us on this mission trip from Northeast Ohio. As one who will be in Nicaragua this December, I assure you, the boxes are given to those for whom they are intended. By the way, I still have openings for several more individuals to join us. So if you have an interest, please let me know immediately.

As for the future, in addition to the shoe boxes, we are looking at expanding the micro business process, sending a medical team to help with surgery for children, obtaining additional fire and rescue equipment and supplies, securing medical equipment and supplies and help from another Rotary district who wishes to help build and furnish school buildings. 

Below are the Rotary Clubs and organizations who helped us this year who deserve a special thank you:

Rotary Clubs of

• Moms in Touch
• West Side Koinonia
• Voft (Volunteers at Brunswick High School)
• Brunswick Pre School PTA
• And over 300 individuals.

Again, on behalf of the Children of the Dump in Chinandega, Nicaragua, who are living in and around a garbage dump and for those who wish to help themselves get out of the dump and extreme poverty through education, I thank all of you who got involved this year and setting the stand for next year.

Yours in Rotary Spirit and Friendship,

Jack A. Young, Past District Governor .

SPECIAL UPDATE: GREAT NEWS I have just been notified that a Rotarian from Brunswick has just donated an ambulance to the fire fighters of Chinandega. I will be working on getting it shipped to them during the next several weeks AND HOPE TO SCHEDULE A DEDICATION CEREMEONY IN DECEMBER OF THIS YEAR. This shows a continual commitment of Rotarians living our motto "SERVICE ABOVE SELF"