SHARE iT!
Think
global,
Act local
Words by Mary Kate Battles
Not that long ago the name Rotary was something I only
vaguely recognized. It was a club for retired people, right? I
was so wrong.
As a newly minted 30-something living in Frederick, my goals have shifted
from what they were in my 20s. I want to live a life that matters, that gives
back more than it takes. And I have found my “home” in Rotary.
Rotary is a service organization that seeks to “bring together business and
professional leaders in order to provide humanitarian services, encourage
high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in
the world.”
That seemed a fairly lofty goal, but then I went to a meeting and learned
more. And I quickly realized these Rotarians weren't kidding around.
Rotary is probably best known for its efforts to help eradicate polio. Rotary,
along with its partners, has helped to reduce polio cases by 99 percent
worldwide since the first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in
1979. Since Rotary began the PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotarians have
contributed funds on top of thousands of volunteer hours, leading to the
inoculation of more than 2 billion children worldwide.
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SPRING 2015