President Kyle’s final speaker gift focused on how Rotarians from around the globe came together to help people in desperate need. In this case, the survivors of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami. That’s the power of Rotary, the greatest volunteer service organization in the world. 

Presented in Appreciation to
Laura Runsten
Program Speaker at the
Wilshire Rotary Club of Los Angeles
Wednesday, June 20, 2012

It’s hard to watch images of an international disaster without wanting to do something. The devastating aftermath of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami resulted in over 340,000 displaced people and paralyzed the Tohoku region creating shortages of food, water, shelter, medicine and fuel. Rotary clubs across the globe quickly responded to this disaster by contributing millions of dollars to help fund long-term recovery projects through The Rotary Foundation. A donation has been made in your name to the humanitarian programs sponsored by our club including the purchase of Shelter Boxes that were distributed to the survivors who were rendered homeless and orphaned. No matter where in the world, there will always be Rotarians prepared to lend a hand and serve those in need, because mankind is our business.