Quick 5 questions for David Witt

1 What is Rotary?

Rotary club members are business and professional leaders who volunteer in their communities and promote world understanding and peace. Rotary’s 32,709 clubs in more than 207 countries and regions encourage high ethical standards and carry out humanitarian projects to address such issues as poverty, health, hunger, education, and the environment.   

2 Tell me about the Polio Plus campaign.

By 2005, five million people who would otherwise have been paralyzed were walking because they were immunized against polio. Rotary has pledged to eradicate polio worldwide. The Bill Gates Foundation has pledged to match Rotary’s campaign funds, up to $100 million for a hopeful $200 million raised to assist in eradicating polio throughout the world.

3 The Rotary just finished a shoe donation program. What was that about?

A couple of weeks ago at the Rotary District Conference, shoes for the Shoes for Orphan Souls project were collected. Traditionally, we have sent 10 pairs of shoes per Rotarian as our goal. We have had great success with this project and today there are thousands of children who are wearing good shoes because of our efforts in past years. This year the Rotarians collected over 17,000 pairs of shoes to be handed out around the world. An additional $7,000 was raised for transportation of the shoes.

4 The Blue Springs Rotary Club just had their annual car raffle fundraiser recently. How much was raised and where does that money go to?

The Blue Springs Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser raised $13,700 for their scholarship fund. The Blue Springs Rotary just awarded $10,000 towards six college scholarships. The fundraiser netted $22,000 for other causes such as: Community Service League, Hope House, Rainbow Center, Hillcrest Ministries, School of Economics, Blue Springs Historical Society, Blue Springs sign over 7 Highway at the railroad track, and Blue Springs Rotary Park. 

5 How can someone get involved with a local Rotary club?

If someone would like to get involved with a local Rotary Club, they can contact me at 816-655-6555. I will get them in touch with the appropriate Rotary Club in their area.