Reasons for giving
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James Anthony “Tony” and Sandra Castley
Australia
Arch Klumph Society Trustees Circle, Bequest Society Level 5Tony joined Rotary because he wanted to help others, particularly those experiencing poverty. It’s a cause so important to him, he founded SewAid, an international program that teaches women how to sew and provides them with equipment and training to start their own businesses.
“The best way to help someone is to teach them new skills,” he says. “Food drives and fundraisers are important but offer only short-term assistance. Providing a person with an education and opportunities to learn new skills can help them for life.”
Tony and Sandra hope to continue helping people through their donations to The Rotary Foundation. As Sandra says, “The Foundation is a very credible organization that we trust to use our donations wisely. The more that Rotary can do for those in need, the more exposure our organization will receive, and that hopefully inspires others to join us.”
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Ming-Ho “Carl” Chen
Taiwan
Arch Klumph Society Foundation CircleRotary’s commitment to service and the opportunity to connect with like-minded people from various professional backgrounds inspired Carl to join Rotary more than 25 years ago. “Rotary offers a unique blend of fellowship, personal and professional connections, and the chance to engage in meaningful public benefit activities,” he says. “The support and camaraderie I’ve experienced within Rotary have been invaluable.”
Carl believes that the more you give, the more you receive. Over the years, he’s seen how contributions to The Rotary Foundation can inspire and enable others to do good. “My donations are a way to share love, hope, and happiness with the world, while also encouraging others to follow suit,” he says. “I know my contributions will support initiatives that provide essential resources, education, and opportunities to those in need.”
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Daniel O. Joraanstad and Robert E. Hermann
United States
Arch Klumph Society Foundation Circle, Bequest Society Level 5Dan and Bob were drawn to Rotary by their passion for service, which was deepened through international projects. Dan recalls, “Volunteering with Rotaplast in Peru, witnessing the transformative effect of cleft lip and palate surgeries, was unforgettable.” Bob adds, “Our involvement with the End Polio Now campaign in Agra, India, where we administered the polio vaccine, was profoundly meaningful.”
These experiences affirmed their belief in Rotary’s mission, motivating them to support The Rotary Foundation. “We have faith in the Foundation’s capacity to create a lasting impact,” says Bob, the 2024-25 president of the Rotary Club of San Francisco, California, USA. “We trust that our contributions will be used effectively to advance both global initiatives and local communities, making a significant difference.”
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Inseok Kim and Youngryeo Jo
Korea
Arch Klumph Society Chair’s CircleWhen Inseok became a Rotarian over two decades ago, he realized how much Rotary’s commitment to serving others mirrored his own. “I’ve always had a passion for helping others, particularly young people,” he says. “For seven years, I was the Youth Exchange chair, and I have also been the Korea-Taiwan Friendship chair, helping foster international friendship and exchange between our two countries.”
Through his involvement in Rotary, Inseok learned how important The Rotary Foundation is to club service activities. “To me, donation and service are practice and action,” he says. “Rotary is a service organization, and The Foundation financially supports those activities. My donation will be used to help others, which is why The Rotary Foundation stands out as an exemplary organization that I can contribute to with confidence.”
Arch Klumph, the father of The Rotary Foundation, once said, “We should not live for ourselves alone, but for the joy in doing good for others.” These words resonate with Inseok. “It’s a beautiful reminder that I always keep close to my heart.”
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Masahiro and Atsumi Kanno
Japan
Arch Klumph Society Trustees CircleMasahiro witnessed the impact Rotary members can make after the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan caused mass destruction along the northeastern coast in March 2011. As 2011-12 president of the Rotary Club of Nanao, Masahiro partnered with clubs in the United States and Fukushima, Japan, to purchase air purifiers and educational materials for elementary schools affected by the disaster. “Through this project, I learned the fundamental power of The Rotary Foundation,” Masahiro says.
When another massive earthquake struck Japan in 2024, this time on the western coast where Masahiro and Atsumi live, he took more action. Grateful for the support Rotary members provided then and now, Masahiro established a named endowed fund with the Foundation to support disease prevention and treatment projects.
“Disease prevention, like polio eradication or malaria elimination, is not possible without improving sanitation,” Atsumi says. “We hope that our endowment fund will help keep the next generation of Rotary members active for many years to come.”
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Ken Mugisha
Uganda
Major Donor Level 2, Bequest Society Level 4For Ken, being involved with Partners for a Malaria-Free Zambia was a transformative experience. The program — the first recipient of Rotary’s US$2 million Programs of Scale award — has increased access to malaria testing and treatment as part of its goal to reduce the number of cases, particularly among pregnant women and children. Ken says the program exemplifies the power of partnership. “It reinforced my belief in the profound impact of Rotary and how collective action can lead to significant progress."
Ken grew up in a family where caring for others was a way of life. He’s passionate about peace, disease prevention and treatment, and the environment, and wants to support projects that make a real difference. “These causes resonate deeply with me. I believe that Rotary’s efforts in peacebuilding and reconciliation, coupled with its commitment to health and environmental sustainability, have the power to bridge divides and create lasting change,” he says. “By supporting The Rotary Foundation, I can be a part of the solution and help foster unity and progress on a global scale.”
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Indrani and D.R. Patnaik
India
Arch Klumph Society Trustees CircleD.R. joined Rotary to connect with like-minded friends and serve his community. Donating to The Rotary Foundation became an extension of that. “We want to do good in the world,” he says. “The Foundation allows us to support global initiatives that create lasting change.”
D.R. and Indrani support The Rotary Foundation because they believe it has been instrumental in containing and eradicating polio. They say, “What has distinguished Rotary has been its selfless focus on the noble causes it undertakes.” They are also passionate about education, health care, and environmental sustainability. They’ve supported dialysis projects at local hospitals and programs to improve water and sanitation infrastructure at schools.
“We hope our donation will help Rotary members carry out meaningful projects that will empower others to serve and build a better world,” Indrani says.
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Fedor Rubatto S. and María Cristina Urioste
Peru
Arch Klumph Society Trustees Circle, Legacy SocietyIn the 1960s, Fedor and María had a few friends who were Rotarians. They were young and members of a well-established and highly respected club, but what caught Fedor’s attention was their commitment to Rotary, their fellow members, and serving the community. “Regardless of their age, they all really enjoyed volunteering and socializing,” he says. Fedor and María wanted to be a part of that too — and they have been ever since.
Today, Fedor and María are passionate about education. “We believe that access to a quality education can help break the cycle of poverty,” María says. “Our bequest to The Rotary Foundation will make it easier for clubs to offer educational scholarships to students in their communities.”
According to Fedor, “We are aware that our legacy is a drop of water in a rough sea, but if we don’t do it, then our passage through this world makes no sense.”
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