This community park in Houston TX was funded in part by a Rotary Foundation grant. Our contributions help keep the Rotary legacy of doing good in the world alive for future generations.elp

Rotary Foundation fund-raising fun? Hardly. Look up “drudgery” and you’ll see our assignment this past year: form a committee to reach out one-on-one to fellow Rotarians, explaining why we included the Rotary Foundation in our wills. Goal: inspire others from example to join us in the Bequest Society, the most painless way to give!

We all knew that a strong and generous Rotary Foundation is the quiet, but essential, life-blood of Rotary’s unique self-funded, and incredibly FUN, service to our fellow man.

It worked. This Rotary year, the committee TRIPLED the Bequest Socety Commitments from year prior!

Here are the HEROES who made that happen:

· Leslie Bassett (Roswell) - A busy attorney and mother of two teens, Leslie led with personal $25,000 bequest.

· Becky Stone (Roswell) - Past President, lawyer, and first to finish her calls—plus she organized the Conference Games!

· Sandy Buhler (Roswell) - Veteran Rotarian who brought boundless energy and enthusiasm to the effort.

· Nancy Alterman (Roswell) -President who still carved out time to serve on this committee. Won Sheffield Award besides!

· Sid Disher (Roswell) - Past District Rotarian of the Year, always willing to say yes

· Mary Trapp (Roswell) - Past President, realtor, and unstoppable Rotary force—she jumped in without hesitation.

· Doug Higgins (North Fulton) - Past President who signed up to help... and is still going!

· Frederick Levy (Roswell) - Rookie of the Year whose very first Rotary act was a $25,000 bequest!

· Bob Hagan (Roswell) - PDG Bob sets a high bar and inspires everyone around him.

· Alec Smythe (Buckhead) - This PDG heroically overcame the hesitation we all feel—and led by example.

· Richard Matherly (North Fulton) - Not just a caller: our largest single donor at $50,000!

· Lisa & Marc Gelber (North Fulton) – PP Lisa inspired her husband Marc to join Rotary, and he became the first new member to make a $25,000 bequest.

· Chris Archer & Don Howard (Roswell) – Stepped up without hesitation and joined at the $25,000 level.

Need help in YOUR club? Want to make Foundation fundraising easier—or more inspiring? Please lean on our experience. Especially if you're a PE or incoming Foundation Chair, reach out to our District Major Gifts Officer at Lee@leehollingsworth.com for ideas and support.