Area February 17, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 5 Local Rotarians establish The Haiti Disaster Relief Fund The Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club and Rotary District 7490 have a unique opportunity to assist the relief efforts in Haiti. The district has a long-stand- ing involvement in Haiti, with strong relationships with various organizations and sponsorship of ongoing proj- ects in Haiti. According to District Governor Suraj Bhatia, several Rotarians from District 7490 were working on a Rotary project near the city of Les Cayes, Haiti when the earth- quake hit. Les Cayes, the third largest city in Haiti, is about 100 miles from Port-au-Prince. “These Rotarians were able to provide us with real- time information on what was happening in the area. In addition, some of our local Haitian partners, such as the Rotary Club of Les Cayes and Hospital Imamaculee Conception (the local hospital in Les Cayes) have pro- vided us with ongoing information,” Bhatia said. Indications are that large numbers of people from Port-au-Prince are coming into Les Cayes, putting tre- mendous pressure on the community. Medical supplies are in very short supply as is shelter for the refugees. In response, District 7490 has set up the District 7490 Haiti Disaster Relief Fund. The primary purpose of the fund is to provide money to purchase medical supplies and shelter (including shelter boxes) for Les Cayes, and to address other specific Haitian relief needs as they arise. “We at Rotary know we can make a difference,” Bhatia added. “Rotary is unique in its ability to inter- face, Rotarian to Rotarian, in locations all over the world. With its network of over 1.2 million Rotarians in 33,000 Rotary Clubs worldwide, Rotary can have an immediate and direct impact on local conditions. Through the presence of our members in Les Cayes, and our relationships with local organizations, we are confident that Rotary District 7490 can support relief efforts in that area very effectively in a real and tangible way.” Since District 7490 has no office or administrative costs, 100 percent of the money donated to the fund will go directly toward Haiti disaster relief. Rotarian vol- unteers work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the Rotary motto: “Service above self.” Those who wish to support the district’s efforts are asked to make a check out to “Walter D. Head Foun- dation,” which is District 7490 charitable organization. Write “Haiti Relief Fund” on the memo line of the check and mail it to: Haiti Relief Fund, Attention: Assistant Governor Ray Falcon, c/o Falcon & Singer, P.C., 221 West Avenue, Montvale, New Jersey 07465-1729. For more information on Rotary District 7490 and Rotary International, visit www.rotarydistrict7490.org. The Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International and sponsors activities that benefit both the local community and international public service projects, including a school, clinic and orphanage in Haiti. The club provides extensive support locally for the Center for Food Action and Habitat for Humanity, and scholarships for local students. Mem- bers also run the children’s rides at Ramsey Day, USR Day and Mahwah Day, with all proceeds going toward the club’s charitable activities. The Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club serves Allendale, Mahwah, Ramsey, Saddle River, and Upper Saddle River. The organization holds weekly meetings on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. at Houlihan’s in Ramsey, and new members are always welcome. Interested individu- als may attend one of these weekly meetings. For more information about club activities or becoming a member of the Bergen Highlands-Ramsey Rotary Club, call Bob Baron at (201) 934-7441, e-mail bob@baronpoolservice.com or visit www.bergenhigh- landsrotary.org.