Fellow Rotarians, 

I was very touched when I read the letter from the Oklahoma City Rotary Foundation. I realized that the Rotary Clubs of Oklahoma City and New York City share a very strong bond. Not only are we Rotarians, not only are we among the first 100 Rotary Clubs to be founded, but we also share the experience of having had a major terror attack on our city. I believe that the Rotary Club of Oklahoma City more than any other Rotary Club can identify with what we are now going through in New York City. 

I was thinking about quoting excerpt from the letter, but I was not able to. It did not look right. I have therefore quoted the whole letter:

 

 

The Rotary Club of New York

28 West 44^th Street, Suite 1508

New York, New York 10036

 

Dear Rotarian Friends:

 

Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with you. The tragedy you have suffered has a special resonance for those of us who call Oklahoma City home. We understand the anguish. We understand the pain.

 

We also understand your resolve to look forward and rebuild lives and rebuild your city. It reminds us of the resolve and determination that overtook our citizens after the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.

 

Our Rotary Club wants to help much like Rotarians all over the world helped us in 1995. The Rotary Club of Oklahoma City is pleased to forward a portion of our unused relief funds along with our own contributions in the amount of $100,000.00 to assist the relief effort in your fine city. We can think of no better place to entrust this money than in the hands of fellow Rotarians where “service above self” rules. Please direct these funds where the need is greatest.

 

Feel free to call on us if we can help in any way as you develop your plans on how to administer the significantly large relief fund that will be in your custody. Within our club are men and women who took a leadership role in administering funds for the unmet needs of the Oklahoma City bombing victims and dealt successfully with the same responsibilities you now have accepted. They would be honored to share their experiences and their knowledge.

 

We send love, hope and compassion from our 430 members and wish you and your city a speedy return to normalcy.

 

                                       God Bless America!

 

Page Dobson, Chairman                                        Jim Clark, President

Oklahoma City Rotary Foundation, Inc.               Rotary Club of Oklahoma City

 

 

You can read the letter in its original form at the website of the Rotary Club of New York at the following link (click here):

 

 

 

 

Rotary is a wonderful fellowship!

 

Matts Ingemanson

Internet Communication Officer

The Rotary Club of New York