Local PNC Bank manager Tom Popp, a Wilmington Rotary member, spoke to the Wilmington Rotary Club which meets at noon on Mondays about the Rotary Foundation.
The foundation was founded in 1917 — with an initial donation of $26.50 — with the goal of addressing international problems that crossed political subdivision lines. The funds collected were then used to make an impact on projects like polio eradication, safe drinking water and world peace.
Rotarians are the “foundation” of Rotary – as individuals and as clubs. Rotarians are the building blocks of Rotary and the Rotary Foundation.
Tom then listed a few of the projects and avenues of service within our own club: Banana Split Festival, Dictionary Project, Golf Outing/Scholarships, Interact Club sponsorship, Student of the Month, Haiti School Lunch Project, Honor Light and other local projects.
Tom stated that Charity Navigator, an organization that rates charities, rated the Rotary Foundation with the highest score it gives, with over 90 percent of the donated funds going directly to the project work.
President Jack Powell asked all club members to consider – in this 100th year of the foundation – a make donation of $26.50, matching the first donation made to the Rotary Foundation
