March 2020 Newsletter
- Saturday, April 4, 10am, Live Webinar
District 5495 Rotary Foundation Fundraising Campaign for 2019-20
Goal: Raise more funds and giving participation with The Rotary Foundation
• Raise $2M to support Rotary’s good work around the world through new major gifts (see
definition below) of $10,000 or more between January 1, 2019 and May 31, 2020.
• Increase the number of members enrolled and giving automatically through Rotary Direct.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations (UNSG) António Guterres yesterday visited a kindergarten school in Lahore during the first nationwide polio campaign of the year and vaccinated students with the polio vaccine. More than 39 million children across the country are set to be vaccinated during the February campaign.
The UNSG commented on the polio eradication efforts of the country, saying that, “Polio is one of the few diseases we can eradicate in the world in the next few years. This is a priority of the United Nations and I am extremely happy to see it is a clear priority for the Government of Pakistan.”
“My appeal to all leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, is to fully support the Government of Pakistan and other governments around the world to make sure that we will be able to fully eradicate polio.”
As part of his visit, Secretary-General Guterres met with frontline workers of the Pakistan Polio Eradication Programme and expressed his deep solidarity. There are currently 265,000 frontline workers who go door to door during campaigns to ensure that as many children as possible are vaccinated against polio. Almost 62% of these workers are female. Women are key to helping the programme rally community members, parents and caregivers in support of polio eradication.
Membership Minute
- $99 suites — extend your stay as much as three days before or after the conference for the same low price!
- Resort Fee is waived
- Water Park with a lazy river
- Free internet
- Spa services available
- Coyote Camp for children available
John Angelo introduced our speaker of the day Karen Blackbird, Resident Services Manager for Mercy Housing Southwest Arizona. Karen moved to Arizona to get her master’s degree at ASU (go Sun Devils) where she graduated in 2001. She feels fortunate to have worked in the social services arena in the areas of Foster Care, Adoptions, Counseling, Mental Health, the homeless, seniors and Veterans. Currently Karen works with Mercy Housing South-west as the Resident Services Manager for 13 affordable housing properties in Arizona that serve low-income seniors and individuals with special needs.
What followed was a fast paced informative, fact laden presentation about homelessness in Arizona in general and Mercy Housing in particular. Karen explained that Sister Timothy Marie O’Roark, a Sister of Mercy of Omaha, who witnessed the horrible conditions in which poor families lived, founded Mercy Housing in 1981. She saw that many had little or no help accessing af-fordable housing, and she vowed, “We can do better.” Some 35 years later, Mercy Housing serves nearly 60,000 people in 21 states with over 22,500 units of housing and is one of the largest affordable housing providers in the United States. Mercy Housing provides housing and other services in El Mirage, Avondale, Tolleson, Glendale, Guadalupe, Mesa, Gilbert, Tucson and five centers in Phoenix.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE TAX DEDUCTIONS/CREDITS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE 2019 TAX YEAR UNTIL THE FILING DEADLINE, APRIL 15, 2020!
T’is the season to support Rotary’s great work AT NO COST TO YOU!
I am asking a huge favor in the spirit of Rotary. I am asking that EVERY ROTARIAN in District 5495 take advantage of the Arizona Credit for Contributions to Qualified Organizations by donating to charities that will benefit Rotary programs. If you support one or both of the programs outlined below you will get dollar-for-dollar offset of your Arizona Tax. It is not necessary to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. (See the contribution caps outlined below.)
If you are an Arizona taxpayer you have the incredible privilege of directing tax dollars to causes that benefit those who need a helping hand or a nutritious meal.
Here are the two AZ tax credit programs that benefit Rotary programs.
- The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA) provides vocational scholarships to those who just need a bit of help to get an education that can transform their lives. (More information on donating below.)
- Manzanita Outreach provides everything necessary for our RYLA campers to have fun while helping others — packing nutritious meals for those who are food insecure. (More information on donating below.)
- OR SPLIT YOUR TAX CREDIT DONATION. The main thing is to GIVE NOW TO BENEFIT ROTARY PROJECTS!!!