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.
