“John McCarthy was a dedicated member of the Traverse City Rotary Noon Club. He committed himself to international projects in Africa, Guatemala, and Haiti. He participated in Polio Immunization Days in Africa and numerous water projects in Haiti and Guatemala. John loved the people and the mission of Pure Water Water for the World. He gave all his heart and energy to support its projects because he loved the kids it helped.” - Bill Donberg, Friend, Rotarian, PWW Board Member
John’s family has suggested that memorial gifts for John be shared with Pure Water for the World. To fully honor John and his benevolent spirit, Pure Water for the World will be purchasing a truck in Haiti that will carry his name and preserve his legacy of international service.
John would truly appreciate that, by honoring him with a truck, a critical problem will be solved. Trucks take PWW teams to very remote, underserved communities, carrying the essential equipment needed to make water safe to drink. They empower PWW to visit families and conduct training, as well as monitor and evaluate projects to measure efficacy. Today, the PWW Haiti team is falling short of meeting the needs of some of the families, simply because they are short on wheels.
By purchasing a truck in memory of John, his spirit will continue to bring life-saving safe water solutions to families who need it most, carrying on John’s legacy of selfless service and his love of the Haitian people.
“John was a ‘one-of-a-kind’ gentle man. I had the pleasure of traveling to Haiti with him twice. John has a great sense of humor – some of which was pointed at himself! However, he was serious about the work he was doing. He was committed, engaged, and passionate about serving. John spent countless hours working on behalf of the children of Haiti and Guatemala. He made the world a much better place, and he made me a better person. I will miss him.” - Carolyn Crowley Meub, Friend, Rotarian and PWW Executive Director
If you wish to honor John by donating to Pure Water for the World and continue his commitment to serving vulnerable families you may send your donation to:
Pure Water for the World | PO Box 55 | Rutland, VT 05702
You may also call 802.747.0773 or visit www.purewaterfortheworld.org to make your gift using a credit card.
Each year our club reaches out to the community to help needy families celebrate Christmas with gifts of food, clothing and toys. Last year showed 85 families what it means to live service above self. These families not only had food and presents, but also the wonderful feeling of knowing others care. There are several ways for each of you to participate in this wonderful program. First, give. Each of the next few weeks you will have the chance to make a contribution during our meeting. If you won’t be at a meeting go online or contact Kathy Bussell to have your donation added to your Rotary account. Another way to help is to be a shopper for one of the families. Just ask anyone in the club, it is one of the most rewarding things you can do this holiday season. If you’re interested in shopping for a family, contact Dale Chilcote, Dan Rickard or Steve Wade. Thank you!
For the past few years, Traverse City Rotary has supported the non-profit SOIL, in Haiti, through the World Community Services Committee. SOIL focuses on composting human waste into usable compost. They recently released their annual report and the program is seeing tremendous success. In the past year, nearly 6,000 Haitians accessed SOIL EcoSan toilets through SOIL's social business pilot program. Through this program over 84 metric tons of compost was sold for agricultural and reforestation efforts across Haiti. The sale of the compost has not only helped needy local families who are working towards a better life, but also allowed SOIL to offer education programs and resources to more than 1,000 Haitians. While TC Rotary is one of many donors SOIL was sure to thank us in their annual report because, without our support, they would not be able to positively affect so many lives.
In 1999, Rotary Charities donated $2.5 million to the Community Foundation to establish the Rotary Endowment. The Endowment connects the shared work of Rotary Charities and the Community Foundation of promoting philanthropy to enrich the quality of life in our region. Today, the Rotary Endowment provides an opportunity for individual Rotarians and local Rotary Clubs to have their philanthropic support matched by the Community Foundation.
The partnership between the Community Foundation and Rotary Charities is reflective of the quality of philanthropic intent and integrity that makes this a wonderful place to live, work, and give.
Match forms need to be signed by you and the non-profit and turned in the byDecember 1st deadline.
The temperature is dropping, soon the snow will be falling. A sweater, a hat, gloves and boots and you are ready to go out and face the elements. Can you imagine having to do that in your sneakers, with an old sweatshirt and a windbreaker and nothing more? Too many people in our community are just making it financially and are unable to afford the winter clothing that is needed to go to work, go to school, the grocery store and more. If you have gently used winter clothing: coats, hats, gloves, mittens or boots that you would be willing to share with our neighbors in need, we would gladly distribute them. Each year we have families in search of these items. Frequently they are working, just not making enough to handle rent, food, utilities, medical bills AND winter gear. Please consider helping out your neighbors when you are replacing your winter gear by donating those gently used, clean items to The Father Fred Foundation.
Each year the volunteers in our Clothing and Household Goods area hear comments from our guests as to how grateful they are to be able to get a warm coat or perhaps a pair of boots at The Foundation. So many in our community are working jobs that pay at or near minimum wage and with housing and transportation cost a bit higher in our area, affording expensive clothing items is challenging at best. Whatever you can do to help lighten the load for those in need, is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for all that you do in our community. It is thanks to donors just like you that we can all make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
God bless you,
Deb Haase
Executive Director - The Father Fred Foundation
We will be collecting at our Club meetings on November 14th, 21st & 28th.
as well as monitor and evaluate projects to measure efficacy. Today, the PWW Haiti team is falling short of meeting the needs of some of the families, simply because they are short on wheels.
