Rotary World Help Network Presentation

Dan Gallant, Rotarian and "old" friend of Denis Denischuk, was today's speaker. The Rotary World Help Network is a non-profit, charitable organization that coordinates the shipment of Educational, Humanitarian, and Medical supplies to countries in need. Our mission is to help communities through a coordinated effort to relocate used equipment and supplies. This has allowed Ladner Rotary to be a part of an organization that ties in with Rotary Clubs worldwide. Being a member helps a club meet the District objectives for International Service, and work parties count as a make-up. The Rotary Club of Ladner has sponsored numerous containers over the years. The replacement value of goods sent in each container is approximately $300,000. The approximate "replacement value" of goods sent to other Rotary clubs around the world is approximately 80 million dollars. It all started in 1992 when District 5040 Rotarians went to Kiev. They saw the state of the medical facilities and decided to help. Together they organized a shipment of medical supplies. Bill managed to convince the Vancouver Club to carry on the project under their international service portfolio. By 1997, the project became too big for one club to handle and if the project was to survive it had to evolve. In September 1997, seven Rotary Clubs joined together and founded the network. Watch for announcements for the next RWHN loading, you can help a little or a lot, but it is amazing to see some of the medical and specialized equipment that is donated through this very special Rotary project.