We did it! $1.2 million USD raised!
We achieved our ambitious, meaningful goal of raising more than $1 million USD by September 30, 2026, for The Rotary Foundation and The Rotary Foundation Canada.
Dinner Speaker
Sylvia Whitlock, Ph.D. is an educator, therapist, and trailblazing Rotary leader best known as the first woman to serve as president of a Rotary club following the landmark 1987 U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing women into Rotary. Born in New York City and educated in Jamaica and California, she holds advanced degrees in education and marriage and family therapy and has dedicated her career to education, counseling, and community service.
A longtime Rotarian, Dr. Whitlock has served in numerous club and district leadership roles and has spoken at Rotary events around the world. Her humanitarian work has supported projects including water wells in Nigeria, an AIDS center in Jamaica, orphanage support in Mexico, and education initiatives for girls in India. Rotary International named its annual Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award in her honor. The award recognizes a Rotary member each year who has actively worked to advance women in Rotary, and Dr. Whitlock herself was the inaugural recipient. She is also a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and recipient of numerous honors, including the NAACP Woman of the Year Award, and remains a passionate advocate for service above self.
Greg E. Podd, C.P.A., P.F.S.
- Rotary Foundation Vice Chair 2025 – 2026
- Rotary Foundation Trustee 2022 – 2026
- Rotary International Vice President 2015 – 2016
- Rotary International Director 2014 – 2016
Greg is a Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) and Personal Financial Specialist (P.F.S.) who has run his own accounting practice since June 1979. He has authored four continuing education courses, spoken at five national conferences, taught in Arizona State University’s Master of Taxation program, and presented to over 20,000 CPAs and Chartered Accountants worldwide. He also previously led a metal fabrication firm and an international healthcare software company.
EVENT SPONSORS
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Campaign runs
March 1 – Sept 30, 2026
Choose your donation level to participate in the campaign
Visionary Donor
Gift of $10,000 USD or more
Visionary Donors receive a complimentary ticket to the Hearts Across Borders Celebration Dinner
Impact Donor
Recurring gift; powerful results
Impact Donors receive an invitation to purchase a ticket to the Celebration Dinner
Here’s Why
Most of the remaining SHARE funds are allocated to the World Fund, which supports Rotary projects worldwide.
Recent district projects include:
- Furniture Library Learning Commons – Lake Country
- Willow Point Park Playground – Chelan
- Kinder Bear Playground Climbing Wall – Penticton
- Sensory Garden – Ellensburg
- Safe Motherhood Project – Salmon Arm
Your contribution helps advance Rotary’s priorities, including Polio eradication, peace and conflict resolution, and Rotary’s Areas of Focus.
The Rotary Foundation is consistently recognized as one of the world’s top charities, earning the highest rating from Charity Navigator for more than 17 consecutive years.
87% of all funds are spent directly on programs and operations.
Donor Resources
- Rotary legacy giving brochure – Understand how to name the Foundation in your estate plan
- Rotary legacy giving form
- Foundation rack card – A short description of the Foundation and how dollars flow to the District
- Hearts Across Borders commitment form – Make your commitment to this $1 million campaign
- Hearts Across Borders 5×7 folded card