Rotary works for disaster relief both at home and abroad

All around the globe and also right here at home, Rotarians are working together to assist those affected by natural disasters. Our very own community was painfully awakened to the effects of such a disaster in the weeks following October 29, 2012.
Just as we have been after storms like Katrina; just as we have been after the terrible earthquake and Tsunami in Japan, Rotary International is there and on the scene helping. Just some of the ways Rotary International supports disaster relief include:
• Donating non-perishable food and other items.
• Donating new and gently used appliances
• Donating new and gently used furniture
• In the city of Union Beach, 300 homes washed away and 1,800 more needed extensive repairs. The cost of the sheetrock and insulation is $820 per home. Rotary Clubs pitched in (and continue to pitch in) to pay for individual homes to be sheet rocked and insulated.
• Rotarians have adopted families who have lost their homes and are in need
• Boots on the ground – Rotarians continue to donate countless hours in helping hang sheet rock, carry supplies, drive trucks and sort goods.
Thanks to all of those who continue to live the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” and help those in need during this time of crisis.
In addition to Disaster Relief, Rotarians are involved in many other causes. Our club for example is in the midst of putting on our 2nd annual Art Show. The Art Show will be April 25 at Deal Country Club and will feature some of the area’s top artists selling their paintings and creations for a great cause. Last year’s art show enabled us to raise money for the following organizations:
• Long Branch Area Food Banks
• Local Student Scholarships
• The Ronald McDonald House
• Shelter Box Disaster Relief
• Clean Drinking Water in Latin America
I hope you can join us on April 25 and support these great causes. And if you’d like to join our committee, drop us a line at the number below.
As we report each week, The Club’s Food Drive remains in full swing.  Thanks to everyone who has donated to our drive. You are helping hungry families right here in our community with your dollars and food donations.
The following are a partial list of locations where we are taking donations:
• Monmouth Medical Center – Long Branch
• Tucci Hot & Crupi PC – 464 Broadway, Long Branch
• Investors Bank -169 Broadway, Long Branch
• Greater Long Branch Chamber – 228 Broadway, Long Branch
• Monmouth University – West Long Branch
• Shore Creative Group – 176 Broadway, Long Branch
The next meeting of the Rotary Club of Long Branch will be this Friday, February 8 at noon at Rooney’s Ocean Crab House. The speaker will be Long Branch School District Superintendent, Michael Salvatore. We’re looking forward to Mr. Salvatore’s presentation on the state of our schools.
Our speaker last week was Linda Boscia from “Better Qualified” who gave an informative presentation on credit awareness and protection.
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Wondering what Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Long Branch is all about? Rotary’s 1.2 million members worldwide believe that helping to change the world starts with a personal commitment to “Service Above Self.”  In more than 34,000 clubs worldwide, you’ll find members volunteering in communities at home and abroad to support education and job training, provide clean water, combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, and eradicate polio.
For information on attending a meeting or getting involved, give us a call at 641-715-3900 Ext #716992 or visit us at www.longbranchrotary.org

DELIVERING FOR FOOD PANTRIES — Club Officers Ken Gittell, Brian Berry and Gordan Heggie deliver yet another carload of supplies for Long Branch Food Pantries.

BE BETTER QUALIFIED — Linda Boscia, Business Development Specialist from Better Qualified accepts thanks and a coffee mug from Mika Hon (l), Club President-Elect, for her presentation on managing and repairing your credit.