Rotary Cares
Devoted Club Members Embody "Service Above Self"
In Their Professional Lives
The Rotary motto of "Service Above Self" is more important than ever. Devoted Rotarians like James Brown, Executive Director at the United Way of Tompkins County, embody that motto every day. He's shared this update with us on all the great work his agency is doing in response to the pandemic.
United Way Response to COVID-19
While I am not as active as I was leading up to and immediately after becoming Club President, my Rotary experience enhances and colors my daily work. United Way has had the opportunity to work with a range of partners from across the County during this challenging time.
Fellow Rotarian Cal Walker has expanded his United Way volunteer fundraising leadership to raise needed funds for COVID-19 relief activities. These dollars allowed United Way to fund Rotarian Jessica Gosa’s Foodnet Meals on Wheels emergency meals program and other critically needed services.
Rotarian George Ferrari and the Community Foundation convened a series of meetings with community funding organizations. This has produced coordinated and impactful COVID-19 responses. The Community Foundation and UW have co-funded several projects, and all the funding organizations have jointly funded important service responses.
Reconstituting a former activity, United Way has taken on a key role of volunteer coordination and facilitating food deliveries for area residents who lack food and transportation. Working with Gadabout, HSC, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, and others: safe and healthy food has been delivered to all who have sought assistance. I am humbled by the need, and proud of the response.