The Rotary Foundation and Rotary Club of West Liberty
Since Rotary Year 1996 – 97, West Liberty has contributed to The Rotary Foundation. In 1999 – 2000 Rotary Year, the West Liberty Club contracted with a firm in Washington, Iowa to produce 25 water purification systems to be distributed by a medical doctor who provided medical services to people who lived in the “highlands” west of Manzanillo, Mexico. The water purifiers were simple in that they were hand cranked and used salt. During the process, salt was converted in to chlorine gas that purified the water. The people lived in remote areas, only accessible by horses and only had about 100 people in each village. In addition, the same year West Liberty purchased a used school bus from EBay that was donated to the Casa Hogar Orphanage in Manzanillo, Mexico. The water purifiers were put on the bus and driven to southern Texas where a person from the orphanage took the bus and purifiers to Manzanillo. The bus remains in use by the orphanage, and the resident doctor took the water purifiers to the villages.
Between 2005 and 2014, West Liberty utilized Global Grants driven by matching funds to purchase and install a new kitchen, sleeping facilities, medical equipment, books, and supplies to the Casa Hogar orphanage. Members of our Rotary Club visited the orphanage yearly to view the process of improvements. Concurrently, the Rotary Club sponsored young people in the orphanage yearly. The Rotary Club has utilized the District Grant process to improve parks, light walking trails, purchase Ï Can Read” diskettes for kindergarteners, Rotary Four Way Test books, and many other items involved in education, and park beautification.
Rotary Club West Liberty has been the leading per capita club in District 6000, giving annually $450 per member. In addition, the club has provided giving to Rotary’s number one program,“the eradication of Polio.”
