What would it have been
like had you been the child of an abusive or negligent parent? What if you
had been born to one of them rather than the parents you have? Not one of us
was able to choose our parents at birth. This is about Rotary clubs
everywhere who are choosing not to adopt a child, but rather to honor those
who were not as lucky as we. This is not about one person or even one club.
It is about Rotary. It is about an opportunity to change the life of a
child--and yours as well. As for me? I can only say that this was a "God
given idea planted in my heart"--Rotary took over from there. Please read on.
You probably can remember what it was like to be the center of attention, to
be the honoree or special guest at a party? You may just be reminded of what
that was like for you and your family. This is a story about a picnic, began
by one very small Rotary club in South Texas. What you are about to read is
about heart--the heart of Rotary.
First, allow me to thank you for taking this journey with us that we call
Adoption Awareness. It is a story about the men and women in Rotary. What
follows will tell you about one of many, many projects that is at the heart
of these men and women who belong.
Rotary is an organization dedicated to community and international service.
The motto, Service Above Self, is the foundation of its purpose. Programs
that have provided wheel chairs to those who would never have the resources
for one, shelters to house victims of storms as recently
happened with the Tsunami, school supplies for children who would never have
a chance to learn otherwise, school houses in communities where there are
none, and the major commitment to eradicate polio in the free world are
just some of the programs Rotary has been a part of in the 166 countries,
with 32,000+ clubs, and over 1,200,000 members.
Armed with this concept of Service Above Self led one small club in San
Benito, Texas, to embark on what has led to a major program developing in the
USA. This program simply is one that honors children who have been taken
from their parents for reasons of abuse or neglect and place in foster care.
It is a party for them once a year. It is a venue that provides a special
time for prospective adopting parents to observe those who are the few who
will never be allowed to return to their birth parents. It is there we find
special children in the direst of needs AND special people who need a
special child to complete their family.
This web site will tell you about the history of the project,
the successes, how to do it, why to do it, and the many, many
organizations who have become involved with a desire to help.
There are two thoughts that are significant which I hope you
will ponder for the moment. The first is the fact that none of
us were given the privilege to select our birth parents, and the
second that this is Rotary at its finest.
You will find information that will assist you in joining in. If questions
arise, there is a contact page. If you choose to participate, you will not
only change the life of a child, you will change yours as well. Please read
on, click on links, and have a party! |
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Click here to learn:
How To Have A Picnic
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GETTING STARTED |
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Resources to help get
started include your
local CPS community
initiative
specialist in your
local office, your
district governor,
or the contact
information on this
site. |
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Notes and Suggestions:
District 5840 and 5870 share the same CPS
Region.
Please contact the District Governor of your
region/district via e-mail first.
As in all lists, this one too is subject to
change and correction. |
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