One of the best things about The Rotary Foundation is an international serviceprojectthat it financially supports. Over the last several years in our District, we have two signature international projects that have been repeated four times each with many clubs participating. Both multiple projects were successful because of a Rotarian who lead the way.
This award has rarely been given, but two Rotarians were presented the award: The Rotary Foundation District Service Award. These awards are for substantial leadership and dedication. Both Rotarians have gone far beyond any of the normal requirements for an international Rotary Foundation project. And with considerable personal expense.
This award was presented to PDG Craig Wilson and to PDG Abe Feder at the District 5495 Conference, June 21, 2019.
The following are comments from the presentation
This award is to Craig Wilsonfor the 4 water clean projects in Kenya that he has been involved with and lead. The first project in 2006 was with the RC of Prescott Sunup, and Craig flew to Africa to see the finished project work. Craig says he fell in love with the people and of seeing their lives changed because of clean water. He did two more trips to Kenya as he assisted project 2 and 3, and just recently project 4 with his own club, Phoenix 100. 4 projects totaling nearly $500,000 that changed the lives dramatically for nearly 50,000 people.
Craig’s passion and dedication to bring these projects to change lives and make a difference… demonstrates what he has said many times about the power of the Rotary Foundation. That power exists because of Rotarians like Craig. The award states as follows:
The Rotary Foundation District Service Award presented to Craig Wilson for outstanding service in promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace through the work of Clean Water in Kenya
This awardis to Abe Federfor Microcredit Projects in Mexico that he has been involved with and lead. There are 3 of them over the 5 years and there is a 4thready to go. The amount of funding on these is nearly $400,000 affecting thousands of Mexican families by improving their economic condition. Abe has helped to spread the work and involvement with many clubs in our District. Microcredit projects are extremely complex and require far more involvement of our clubs and district to ensure their success. Abe has made over a dozen trips to Mexico meeting with the borrowers, the bank, and many Rotary clubs in Mexico. His attention to the process and the stewardshipof paperwork and finance is way beyond anything most Rotarians could ever consider. BUT it has a dramatic effect on successful outcomes.
Abe says he does this because we are building relationships… and making things better for people where they live. The award states as follows:
The Rotary Foundation District Service Award presented to Abe Federfor outstanding service in promoting The Rotary Foundation and its goal of world understanding and peace through the work of Microcredit in Mexico.