Club Award 2009

L to R: Kurt Himmelmann, Terry Furstenau, Henry Graham (Photo courtesy of Jim Steele)

Fayette Rotary Club Wins District Award

   Fayette Rotary President Terry Furstenau, center, displays an award received by the club from Rotary International District 6080. He is flanked by club membership development chairman Kurt Himmelmann, left, and the club’s Rotary Foundation chairman, Henry Graham. The award was first shown to club members at the group's regular meeting Sept. 23.
   The award recognizes the Fayette club for achieving at least $100 per member on its average contribution to the Rotary International Foundation. Out of 48 clubs in District 6080, the Fayette group was only one of a handful which was so recognized for the Rotary year ending June 30, 2009.
   The Rotary Foundation began in 1917 with a $26 donation to "do good in the world." It has since evolved to a non-profit endowment fund that supports humanitarian, educational, and cultural programs in more than 200 countries.    Funds donated and distributed by the foundation now exceed $2 billion. Grants from these funds support the PolioPlus program to wipe-out polio, now nearly totally eradicated worldwide.
   Other efforts supported by the Rotary Foundation include International Peace Fellowships, International Youth Exchange programs (such as is now supporting FHS senior Eli Tinker-Fortel studying in France), District Matching Grants, International Ambassadorial Scholarships and teaching grants that send needed experts to developing countries around the globe.
   The purpose of the foundation is to support world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its programs promoting health, education, and the alleviation of poverty worldwide.
Jim Steele