Day 81 ❦ Giving Thanks is a Gift

Day 81 ❦ Giving Thanks is a Gift

This is an excerpt of a thank you letter that was distributed to the hundreds of people who helped make the distribution of Rotary goodie bags to flood victims such a success...the words in italics were authored by the recipients, the remaining parts of the letter were authored by me...

Members of Rotary District 5960, Thank you, thank you, thank you. When Rotarians from the flood stricken areas of southeastern Minnesota reached out for help – you rose to the challenge and impacted the lives of hundreds in our own backyard. As a result of your efforts - whether it was a Fast For Flood effort, direct contributions, volunteering for clean-up and demolition, or supporting the District Simplified Grant awarded – hundreds of people will hold in high esteem the thoughts and actions of Rotarians. In all, over $21,000 was raised and District 5960 Rotarians volunteered hundreds of hours toward clean-up efforts.

Rotary flood relief bags were distributed to 165 households by disaster relief workers in the most impacted areas of the flooding. Each Rotary bag included holiday ornaments, ornament hangers, candy canes, a card explaining Rotary and its mission and finally, $100 in local vendor gift cards as a token of recognition of the difficulty faced by all those impacted by the flood and the unique un-met needs of each household. Armed with the gift bags, relief workers hand-delivered each bag and were received with surprise, gratitude, tears, and deep appreciation. We have received 118 thank you letters so far. Here are some excerpts:

“I thank you for your thoughtfulness and assistance, God bless you”, “Everyone has been so kind. An experience like this is very humbling.”, “Thank you so much - who says there is no Santa Claus?”, “What an unexpected wonderful surprise. It brings tears of amazement/awe that we were blessed to receive these gifts. We lost so much – and to be thought of and receive of this, we are so thankful from the bottom of our hearts.”, “People like you continue to surprise me. It only goes to prove that there are many good people left in this world. Thank you for your generosity and remembering us. May the Lord bless you all.”, “I am just one gratitude filled recipient of a flood assistance bag you so kindly gathered and most appreciatively distributed. Its most meaningful motto – Service Above Self – says it all. Your collective unforgettable kindness encouraged me in multiple ways.”, “We would like to thank you for your efforts for the families effected by the floods. We were able to enjoy Christmas and not worry about how spending for Christmas dinner would effect our repairs.”,  “ Dear Rotary Members, This should be typed - my handwriting leaves a little to be desired, but I chose to write by hand to make my thank you as personal as the gift you gave me. I was amazed at the time of the flood by the display of care and support the community extended. Now to receive this wonderful gift confirms my faith that this is a season of hope. We are continuing to work on our home to restore it to the livable condition it was before the flood. To know you still think about all we have to still deal with is encouraging. THANK YOU”

Each Rotarian and Rotary club is dedicated to strengthening the local and world community by assessing human needs and implementing humanitarian projects. In all our work we respect the dignity of each person and the equality of all people. By making this $21,000 gift, Rotarians of District 5960 displayed the spirit of building goodwill and peace in our own backyard. Thank you.