Rotary Global History Fellowship
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org
WHY I AM A
ROTARIAN?
By:
Catherine M. Ricci
June 2009
www.whyiam.org
When
someone asks me why I became a Rotarian and what do we do, it is
not an easy question to answer.
I became a Rotarian for many reasons.
The most profound was the fact that I myself have had to
rely on a Local Food pantry for help at some point. Having five
children at home with two in Diapers and being a single parent
all at once can be a somewhat overwhelming experience. No matter
what you do for a living. I wanted the children in a good
school, and paid for it dearly.
It was then I had to turn to the local food pantry in my
area, after a lot of soul searching. I was embarrassed that I
even had to go there, but I was out of diapers and had just paid
the rent. I had
nowhere else to turn, so I went.
When I
went there I was greeted by a very nice woman with a Rotary Pin.
She helped
me, she listened, and she understood. I was not a slacker or
lazy. I worked hard for what I had, and hated having to go for
help. She showed me more respect and dignity than I could ever
imagine. I remember the Rotary Emblem prominently displayed
above her head.
I do not think I will ever be able to pay back that one
act of kindness. Ever.
I went
back over the years and volunteered there whenever I could, but
always in the back of my mind I thought I could do more.
There had to be more.
Two of my
children grew up, one died, and two were left at home. Then I
found myself moving to
New York
State. I thought a change
would be nice, a better place to raise my other two children.
I ended up with a
terrific boss who asked me, “Hey, would you like to join
Rotary”. He tried
to explain about Rotary, how it wasn’t just the food pantry I
should recognize it by.
He then took me to his father who was also a Rotarian.
His father was a passionate man who showed me a project he had
done for an Orphanage in South America.
It was an oven that used no more than the sun to cook for them.
The passion in his eyes reached my very soul and a realization
came to me. This
was my “More”, the rest of the story so to speak.
However, it turned out to be only the beginning.
I have
been a Rotarian now for almost 8 years. In that time I have
learned that Rotary is many, many faces. Literally.
It is the
face of the Tsunami Victim proudly displaying the new boat to
replace what was lost. He can now support his family once again.
It is the face of African Children being immunized for
Polio so that they will grow up without the added burden of
being crippled. It is the face of the man who has been given the
chance for clean water for his village through a Rotary
Foundation Grant. It is the face of a child who was given a
Shelter Box to use after Hurricane Katrina hit the golf coast.
It is the face of that little boy or girl who will sit
down to a Thanksgiving meal they may not have been able to
afford.
I have learned the power of the
community and when combined what a force it becomes. I have
learned compassion is out there and all over the world. I have
learned peace is possible. I have learned children can be fed
and No One should go hungry. I have learned that there are many
Rotarians who know how to show dignity and respect to others. I
have learned that everyone should have a chance to learn to
read. I have learned what “More” truly means.
The best part of it? I am
in the midst of it all. Working, giving time and money when I
can. Truly being a part of the world. Attending Seminars and
functions that opened my eyes to the many things that Rotary
stands for. The mass quantity of volunteers Rotary has is so
enormous that it boggles the mind.
So can I give back that dignity and respect I got so long
ago from a single Rotarian occupying a small place in the world?
I doubt it. However, I can sure spend the rest of my life
trying.
Catherine Ricci
District 7170 AG 2006-07
District 7170 Foundation Treasurer
Add
addresses? Change addresses? Remove duplicate mailings?
Add/Remove your name from the mailing list: by visiting http://www.historycomment.org
Rotarians and Rotary organizations are welcome to use any
material from the RGHF websites, provided that credit is given
to the material as part of “Rotary Global History Fellowship”
www.rotaryhistoryfellowship.org and that the material is not
altered.
|
