Global Goodwill
Rotary Club of Beverly Hills’ Mission Beyond Borders
By Cary Schultz
Rotary Club of Beverly Hills’ International Committee, November 2023
GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS BY ROTARY CLUB BEVERLY HILLS
The International Committee of Rotary Club Beverly Hills, a group of dedicated changemakers, leads global initiatives aligned with Rotary International's goals. Their work, spanning disease control, clean water access, education, maternal and child health, economic growth, environmental preservation, disaster relief, and peace advocacy, is impactful and wide-ranging. Successful through partnerships with trusted nonprofits, international NGOs, and Rotary Clubs globally, the committee amplifies its impact by supporting causes its members are passionate about, ensuring meaningful, far-reaching contributions.
Noteworthy initiatives led by Rotary members include:
• Operation Smile: Championed by club member and humanitarian Dr. Tony Sokol, this initiative focuses on providing cleft surgeries worldwide. The club's support has been instrumental in funding surgeries and medical equipment, particularly in Paraguay. (operationsmile.org)
• WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization): Responding to the needs of women and children in Israel, WIZO is a powerful force for societal change. With a 250,000-strong membership, it is instrumental in empowering women and families. The club’s recent grant facilitated the renovation of a Tel Aviv home for Holocaust survivors. Members Gina Raphael, Laura Stern, and Karla Lari have been pivotal in this endeavor. (wizocalifornia.org)
• Formidable Joy: Founded by Rotary member Cindee Rood, this initiative provides clean water in Malawi, where access is scarce. Over 200 water projects, including a solar water system at the Mercy James Centre, have been implemented. Rotary's support extends from menstrual hygiene initiatives to borehole drilling, significantly impacting thousands. The club played a crucial role during Malawi’s 2023 Cholera outbreak, providing educational programs and vital supplies. (formidablejoy.org)
• The club also supports global initiatives like aiding Ukrainian refugees, water projects in Africa, and backing Sheba Medical Center in Israel. (shebaonline.org)
The Rotary motto, 'Service Above Self,' transcends all boundaries, reflecting a commitment to altruism that knows no limits. The members of Rotary Club Beverly Hills' largest committee take immense pride in their role as changemakers, positively impacting lives across the globe. With a robust network of over 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members, Rotary's presence is feltin virtually every corner of the world, uniting diverse individuals in a shared mission of global service and humanitarian aid.
