Photo: Diana White Caption: Haitian Rotarians share insight with Bahamian Rotarians. Assistant Governor Adele Noel-Romelus (Haiti) and Dr. Guy Theodore (Haiti) discuss the local situation in Pignon, Haiti with Past Governor Dick McCombe (Bahamas) and Past RI Director, Barry Rassin (Bahamas) on January 31st. Shelter Box Tents are shown in the background at left.

Nassau, Bahamas –  The Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas (District 7020) have worked diligently to raise funds to assist Haiti after the devastating earthquake struck the country on January 12^th affecting up to 3 million people.

The 17 Rotary clubs in Haiti with a membership of approximately 350 and the 9 Rotary clubs in The Bahamas with approximately 400 Rotarians have worked jointly to ensure that the supplies and donations provided are properly distributed.

Photo by Gina Greene Caption: Rotary and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce host “Help us help Haiti Telethon” that rose $250,000 in 4 hours at the Hilton Hotel. Left to right are: Lillian Russell, Past Secretary, RC Southeast Nassau, Edwin Lightbourne, General Manager, ZNS, Rochelle Wilkinson Past Treasurer, RC Southeast Nassau, Ed Bethel, Nassau Guardian, Diane Philips, DPA & Associates and Philip Simon, Executive Director of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce. The event was aired on ZNS and other local channels.

In the first 3 weeks since the earthquake, apart from other forms of donations, over $500,000 was raised which included over $250,000 from the various Bahamas Rotary clubs as well as the Telethon. The 4 hour “Help us help Haiti Telethon” organized by Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce with help from a number of other supporters held on January 25^th and 26^th, raised over $250,000.

The response from the public has been impressive and is ongoing. An example includes an $8,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise.Although not a part of District 7020, this Rotary club assisted the Bahamas’ efforts with a cheque presentation by President-Elect Joe Thompson who was in Nassau to receive a Queen’s Honour for his outstanding work in Grand Bahama in the areas of business, sports and community involvement.

Photo by Azaleta Ishmael-Newry Caption: Rotary Club of Grand Bahama donated $8,000 to the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Disaster Fund for Haiti. Shown in the photo from left to right are ADG Felix Stubbs accepting a cheque from Joe Thompson, President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Grand Bahama Sunrise and newly recognized businessman with a Queen’s Badge of Honour for his contribution in business, sports and community in Freeport

“Our Club came together with a strong sense of teamwork. The earthquake has tested all of us and the long reaching arms of Rotary has been significant in assisting,” said Joe during the cheque presentation.

ADG Felix accepted the donation on behalf of the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas stating that “We are pleased that your club has shared their generosity with the Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas which includes New Providence, Abaco, CatIsland and Eleuthera as part of their fundraising, making us better able to assist Haiti.”

Photo by Valentine Maura Caption: The Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau called on their members to help raise funds for Haiti and $54,000 was realized in 3 weeks. Shown in the photo are fellow Rotarians and a few who assisted with the fundraising drive. From left to right are: Past President (PP) Tracey Knowles, Larry Treco, PP Charles Sealy II, President Anna DeGregory, President-Elect Marvin Bethel, Past Secretary, Azaleta Ishmael-Newry and PP, current Treasurer and Disaster Relief Chair Peter Goudie.

Another Rotary club that celebrated their success at their weekly meeting on February 3^rd was the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau who raised $54,000.

Other Rotary Clubs who celebrated successful fundraising efforts include the Rotary Club of East Nassau with $112,000 and the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau with $54,000.

"Even after 20 years in Rotary I am continually impressed with the generosity of its members,” said Lindsey Cancino, District 7020 Foundation Chair and PP of the Rotary Club of East Nassau.  “Now that the initial emergency rescue relief is done, we are moving on to general health and restoration.  Rotary has no intention of pulling out soon and will be there for the long hall; we will need support going forward."

Every Rotary Club in The Bahamas has contributed significantly to the half a million dollars raised as well as other types of donations, manpower, expertise and more. President Shaun Ingraham of the Rotary Club of Eleuthera who is a disaster relief specialist is on the ground in Haiti working with Rotary and Methodist Habitat. People like Past District Governor, Richard McCombe and his wife Past President Carla, ADG Felix Stubbs and his wife President Carla Stubbs, Past Presidents Peter Bates and Charles Sealy as well as Past Rotary International Director Barry Rassin and his wife Esther are all working tirelessly for Rotary the people of Haiti.

There are many more proud Rotarians and their families and friends who have assisted and Rotary would like to thank the public for their generosity. Further donations can be made to the “Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Disaster Relief Fund” or by contacting Felix Stubbs at fstubbs@bs.ibm.com or at 242-302-6280.

Rotary is an international organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. They have been working on the ground in Haiti and have significantly contributed to the recovery efforts. More information can be found at www.7020.org.