ROTASHIP NEWS ~ SEPTEMBER 28th, 2005

ROTASHIP— a project of District 7250 and the JFK Airport Rotary Club— has been activated once more to support Rotary District 7250's Operation “KATRINA”.

Under the auspices of Past Dist. Governor Kathy Gibson, we will assist Rotary Clubs and Rotary Districts in Louisiana and Mississippi by serving people who have not yet been helped by FEMA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc. As an example of our district's commitment, generosity, and efficiency, two 48 foot trucks– each holding goods valued at over $100,000- were dispatched to the region within a week of the crisis. We hope to have more trucks on the road early in October, and we will continue to collect relief supplies and stockpile them through December.

In addition, we have joined with the Queens Council of Boy Scouts and JFK Rotarian Frank McIntyre to not only provide logistical services at our JFK warehouse, but to also supply scouts in the affected areas with uniforms, tents, and related items.

ROTASHIP, with the help of Dennis Klainberg and Berklay Cargo Services, will coordinate the trucking services to distribution centers set up by Rotarians down south. Trucking services are provided AT COST, or gratis, whenever available . . . but in any case, funds, when required, must be in place BEFORE shipment.

JFK Rotarian Gary Levien of Arrow Moving & Storage will also make his facility available as a delivery point for Clubs located on Long Island. The address is 146 Miller Place, Hicksville, NY, 11801. Call his office at 516-827-9292 for directions and to schedule your deliveries to his warehouse. He will redeliver these items to our JFK Airport Facility.

In gratitude to the Port Authority of NY and NJ, our main facility— located in Bldg. 142 at JFK Airport— has been provided to us at no cost from now until Dec 31, 2005. Clubs in Queens, Brooklyn, and nearby Nassau can deliver goods to this facility by appointment only. Please call Rudy Auslander at 718-244-5140 or Dennis Klainberg at 516-872-3335 for an appointment to schedule your deliveries. Special thanks also to JFK Rotarian Steve Carbone of JRS Trucking who will provide manpower at Bldg. 142 and local trucking services.

Examples of Items that are needed:

• Clothing: All though it is not on the high priority list, we will take clothing. Clothing should not be mixed with other items and bagged/boxed separately and marked as clothing.
• Cleaning Supplies: HUD/FEMA are distributing 100,000 motor homes (shells) in need of furnishing kitchen-pots, pans, dishes, etc. – bathroom supplies, paper goods, etc. – bedding-sleeping bags, air mattresses.
• Toiletries: Toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, shaving supplies.
• School Supplies: Desperately needed– it is important to get children into a safe academic setting.

Here is a partial list of Items the Boy Scouts need for their counterparts in the affected Region:

• Scout Clothing (Youth & Adult), Cots, Sleeping Bags, Pillows, Blankets, Tents, Tarps, Ponchos.
• Diapers, Wipes Formula, Non-Glass Baby Food, Bottled water (non-glass).
• Pet Foods, Pet Care Items.
• Flashlights, Electric Lanterns, Batteries.

Packing and Identification: It is important to mark the contents of all bags and boxes. We have limited capability at Bldg. 142 to sort items and it would greatly help if each bag or box is labeled to identify its contents.

Please remember: the concept of ROTASHIP is shipping “from Rotarian to Rotarian.” As we get many requests from other organizations, we would like them to contact Rotary Clubs in the affected areas, and kindly contact. Kathy Gibson on matters of coordination and funding.

Concomitant with our project: The College of Rotary Governors have met and set up a fiscal goal of $100,000. With approximately 1000 members in our District (Queens, Nassau & Brooklyn)this would amount to an average of $100 per Rotarian in District 7250. Each club is responsible for collecting and contributing these funds to Dist. 7250 foundation, and all monies will be distributed through Rotary Clubs, of course, at no administrative expense, and used for rebuilding and helping survivors reestablish their lives. All contributions in whatever amount will be appreciated and well used. Contributions should be made payable to “Rotary Dist. 7250 Foundation” and mailed to PDG Mike Cavallaro, 6 Harbor Lane, Glen Head, NY, 11545.

(Kathy asks that each club keep her informed of what they are doing. She will be writing a column for each of Governor Ella's newsletters highlighting what we have accomplished. She does not expect a formal report, just send what you have to her at BayvilleBB@aol.com or FAX 516-674-9529)