NEWS FROM AROUND THE DISTRICT
Hearts Across Borders Celebrates $1.2 Million Success!
District 5060 Rotarians turn generosity into lasting impact
What happens when Rotarians from two countries join forces with a big dream and an even bigger
commitment to doing good? They don't just reach their goal—they sail right past it!
District 5060's Hearts Across Borders campaign has officially raised an incredible $1,201,757 USD, exceeding its $1 million goal by more than $200,000! And we are still counting.
The milestone was celebrated on October 2 at beautiful Spirit Ridge Resort in Osoyoos, BC, where Rotarians and supporters gathered for an evening of gratitude, inspiration, and celebration. Special guests included Dr. Sylvia Whitlock, Rotary's first female club president, and Greg Podd, former Rotary Foundation Trustee and Rotary International Board member. Both shared inspiring perspectives on the power of Rotary and the lasting impact of giving.
We celebrated honorary Wenatchee Rotary member Jim Russell’s elevation to the Arch Klumpf Society, a recognition that he has contributed more than $250,000 USD to the Rotary Foundation. 43 Donors. $1.2 Million. Countless Lives Changed.
The campaign's success came through the generosity of 43 individual donors who contributed in two important ways:
- $607,690 in bequest gifts, creating a legacy that will support Rotary's work for generations.
- $594,067 in cash gifts and pledges, providing resources to make a difference today and tomorrow.
Endowment/SHARE, five to the Endowment–World Fund, four to Maternal and Child Health, and two to End Polio Now. Other gifts supported peace, the environment, education, community economic development, and Rotary Peace Centers.Every gift tells a story of generosity. Together, they tell a story of extraordinary impact.
The Team Behind the Triumph
A special round of applause goes to the dedicated Hearts Across Borders team, whose enthusiasm, hard work, and determination helped make this ambitious campaign a reality.
Kathleen McNalty (Wenatchee Sunrise), Sherry Chamberlain (Osoyoos), Pete Erickson (Moses Lake), Paul Mulvihill (Kelowna Sunrise), Dana Koch (Kamloops West), Marjolein Lloyd (Kelowna Sunrise), Donna Gibson (Kamloops West), Norm LeCavalier (Kelowna Sunrise), Rob Hislop (Salmon Arm Daybreak), Mike Kintner (Wenatchee), Karl Ruether (Leavenworth), Darrell Blue (Yakima), Barb Moses (Toppenish), Martin Streich (Yakima), and Trevor Seamons (Ellensburg).A Special Thank-You to Our Generous Sponsors!
The celebration was made even more special thanks to the generosity and support of our wonderful sponsors:
- Estate of Diane Marie
- Yakima Rotary Club
- EUE LLC
- Spirit Ridge Resort
- Kent Wong Photography
- Donna Gibson, CPA
a wonderful opportunity to recognize the donors who made this campaign such an extraordinary success. We are truly grateful for your partnership and support!And, of course, a heartfelt thank-you to our 43 generous donors. Your gifts will help The Rotary Foundation continue creating hope and lasting change in communities close to home and around the world.
One District. Two Countries. One Remarkable Achievement.
Hearts Across Borders has shown what is possible when generosity knows no boundaries. While the fundraising campaign may be complete, the impact of these gifts is only beginning.
Sewing Hope, One Kit at a Time!
Osoyoos Rotarians help launch a new Days for Girls team
Something wonderful is taking shape! With the support of the Osoyoos Rotary Club, Rotary Club of the
Rivers, and enthusiastic community members from Vancouver BC to Osoyoos to Chelan WA, a new Days for Girls team is forming—and it's all about empowering girls and women around the world.
Days for Girls International is a global nonprofit dedicated to improving menstrual health and helping girls and women live with dignity, confidence, and opportunity. One of its initiatives involves volunteers sewing reusable menstrual health kits that are distributed to girls and women in communities where access to menstrual products can be limited, including parts of Africa and Central and South America.
These kits do more than meet a basic need. They help girls stay in school, participate in daily activities, and manage their periods with confidence and dignity.
Recently, volunteers gathered in Osoyoos for an introduction and training session led by Terry-Lynn and Colleen from Days for Girls Canada. Participants learned about the program, the kits, and how their sewing skills and volunteer hours can make a meaningful difference.
A big thank-you goes to Sherry Chamberlain of Osoyoos Rotary for organizing the training and helping bring this exciting opportunity to the community. Julie McCoy of the Rotary Club of the Rivers is stepping up as team leader, helping turn enthusiasm into action.
And the best part? You don't have to be an expert with a sewing machine to get
involved! Projects like this bring together people with a variety of skills, from sewing and assembling kits to organizing supplies and supporting the team.
Small stitches. Big impact. This new partnership is a wonderful example of Rotary connecting people, communities, and causes to create lasting change.
Congratulations to everyone helping get the Osoyoos Days for Girls team off the ground. We can't wait to see what you'll accomplish!
For more information contact Julie McCoy at julie@juliemccoylaw.com
Building Connections at RYE Inbound Orientation
From September 11th – 13th, Rotary Youth Exchange students, YEOs, counselors, and District 5060 RYE Committee leaders gathered in Naramata, BC, for a weekend of learning, collaboration, and connection. For our inbound students, the weekend was an opportunity to connect with other exchange students who understand exactly what it feels like to leave home, navigate a new culture, attend a new school, and become part of a new community. Through activities, conversations, and plenty of time together, friendships began forming that will provide an important support network throughout their exchange year.
But Inbound Orientation isn't just for the students.

YEOs, counselors, and RYE leaders spent time learning together, sharing experiences, discussing their roles, and strengthening the network of volunteers who support our students throughout the year. Youth Exchange succeeds because of the partnership between students, host families, clubs, counselors, YEOs, and our District team.
The weekend was also a great reminder of what it means to Fuel the Future and invest in the next generation.
Youth Exchange is about much more than sending a student to another country. It develops confidence, independence, cultural understanding, leadership, and friendships that can stretch across the globe.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Inbound Orientation a weekend of learning, laughter, collaboration, and belonging. We are excited to watch these students grow and discover where their Rotary Youth Exchange journey takes them this year.
DI 5060 Zone training-Fuel the Future
From September 23rd – 26th, Rotary leaders gathered for Zone Training, an opportunity to learn, grow, exchange ideas, and build connections with leaders from across our Zone. Opportunities like Zone Training remind us that leadership is a journey. We continue to learn from one another, challenge our thinking, build relationships, and bring new ideas back to our clubs and communities.

What is a Rotary Zone? Rotary groups districts together into Zones to provide training, resources, and opportunities for collaboration. District 5060 is part of Zones 28 and 32, which span all of Canada and include parts of the United States, including Alaska, Washington, and areas along the East Coast. Zone Training gives leaders the opportunity to connect with others from across this large and diverse region, learn from one another, and bring new ideas home to their districts.
District 5060’s governor's team was well represented, with DG Jill Leonard, DGE Kathleen McNalty, and DGN Martin Streich, participating in training designed to prepare and support district leaders throughout their leadership journey. Additional learning opportunities brought together leaders in Membership, The Rotary Foundation, and Public Image to share strategies and best practices they can bring home to their districts and clubs.
District 5060 was also represented in the leadership training. PDG Marjolein Lloyd, served as a learning leader for the District Governors-Nominee, helping prepare and develop Rotary’s future district leaders. Her continued commitment to leadership development is an incredible asset to Rotary.
District Membership Chair Anna Harrison also participated and returned energized with new ideas, best practices, and strategies for building engaged clubs. Her focus is not simply on attracting new members, but on creating Rotary experiences where people feel connected, valued, and excited to invite others to join.
Thank you to our District 5060 leaders for investing in their own growth so they can better support our clubs and members. When we invest in leadership today, we help Fuel the Future of Rotary.
September Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Our District 5060 Superstars
During September club visits, these outstanding members were recognized:
Norm Letnick, Rotary Club of Kelowna
Norm has sponsored many new members recently, helping introduce others to Rotary and the opportunities it offers. During his recognition, Norm also spotlighted the person who sponsored him, a wonderful reminder that one invitation can create a lasting ripple of service and leadership.
Mark Dixon, Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo
Mark wears many hats, supporting membership, public image, and the rebuilding of OAC camp. His willingness to jump in wherever needed demonstrates the kind of commitment that keeps a club strong and moving forward.

Tobi Byrne, Rotary Club of Kelowna Landmark
Tobi is a tremendous ambassador for Rotary and her club. She has a gift for connecting people, building relationships, and stepping up to serve wherever she can make a difference.
Jean Marc Lacasse, Rotary Club of Lake Country
Jean Marc has faithfully served as club treasurer for the past five years, providing consistency and leadership behind the scenes. But there is another talent that deserves recognition too: his famous canned maple syrup. Service comes in many forms, and sometimes it is especially sweet.
Bob Campbell, Rotary Club of Summerland
Bob's leadership and dedication to fundraising have helped strengthen his club's ability to serve. Successful projects do not happen without members willing to take responsibility, bring people together, and do the work behind the scenes.
Who is your club's Unsung Hero?
Every club has someone whose contributions deserve a little more recognition. Who quietly gets things done, welcomes others, strengthens your projects, connects people, or simply makes your club better?
Take a moment to recognize them. Sometimes a simple thank you reminds someone just how much their service matters.
How Are You Investing in the Next Generation of Rotary?
As I continue visiting clubs across District 5060, one thing continues to stand out: our greatest strength is our people. I see members leading incredible service projects, welcoming new members, supporting young people, sharing their professional experience, and quietly doing the work that keeps their clubs and communities strong.

Our theme this year is Fuel the Future: Investing in the Next Generation. But investing in the next generation isn't only something we do as a club or district. It is something each of us can do individually.
So this month, I have a question for you:
How are YOU investing in the next generation of Rotary?
Maybe you are mentoring a newer member.
Maybe you encouraged someone to take on a leadership role. Maybe you invited a young professional to a meeting or service project.
Maybe you are supporting Youth Exchange, Interact, RYLA, or Rotaract. Maybe you noticed someone with potential and simply said, "I think you would be great at this."
And remember, the next generation of Rotary isn't defined by age. It includes our newest members, emerging leaders, future club presidents, community partners, and those who may simply need someone to recognize their potential.
Those moments matter.
I would love to hear what you are doing. Email me and tell me how you are personally investing in the next generation of Rotary. It doesn't have to be a big story. Some of the smallest actions can create the greatest impact.
I would love to share some of these stories in future district communications so we can learn from and inspire one another.
A Challenge for This Month
Think about one person in Rotary who could use a little encouragement.
Invite them to join you on a project. Ask for their opinion. Introduce them to someone. Encourage them to attend a leadership opportunity. Ask them to take on something new.
Sometimes investing in the next generation starts with four simple words:
"I see potential in you."
Our greatest impact isn't measured by what we accomplish ourselves. It's measured by the people we inspire, encourage, and develop along the way.
Let's keep Fueling the Future together.
October is Polio Awareness Month
October is Polio Awareness Month, a time for clubs to raise funds and awareness for Rotary’s No. 1 global commitment. Rotarians started this campaign more than 40 years ago and have worked to reduce cases of polio by 99.9 percent.

Since 1985, polio infections have gone from 360,000 per year to 52 in 2025. Most of the world is polio free, with Pakistan and Afghanistan as the only endemic countries. As of this year, the cases are about half of last year, at 29.
Join clubs across the district to celebrate. Hold a World’s Greatest Meal to End Polio, a bowling competition (Bowlio for Polio), a pub crawl or pub takeover (Pints for Polio/Polio Pub Takeover), or a dessert auction (Pies for Polio). All these events are happening throughout District 5060. You can register your event with The Rotary Foundation (TRF) at endpolio.org Some events like The World’s Greatest Meal (https://wgmeal.org/) or Bowlio for Polio (https://www.bowlio.org) have separate online registrations as well.
DG Jill Leonard is distributing “End Polio Now” wristbands. The District provides the bright orange-red wristbands. Clubs will be invoiced by the District for the cost of the bands ($40 per 100 bands). Rotarians are asked to fund a dose of the vaccine by donating $3 minimum for a band. The contributions will be sent by your club treasurer to the PolioPlus fund at TRF.
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Also, don’t miss the opportunity to join the District 5060 PolioPlus Society. A pledge to donate $100 per year to PolioPlus until polio is ended. Contact pete2@vanwell.net for information on how to join. There are 93 members presently, and the 100th member will receive a Paul Harris Fellowship. Plan programs at your club centered on polio. If there are polio survivors in your community, invite them to share their story at your club meeting.
Finally, raise awareness through social media posts, guest editorials in local newspapers or PSAs on local radio or television about your club’s fundraiser. Also, ask local officials to proclaim October 24 as Polio Awareness Day in your community.
“Flash” Food Drive for Fire Affected Families
It’s no secret that Rotary service projects take weeks, if not months, of careful planning by many dedicated Rotarians, but not always! The Rotary Club of Kelowna Landmark saw an opportunity and pulled off a “flash” Food Drive in days.

First, a bit of background… The Rotary Club of Kelowna Landmark meets in the Landmark District of Kelowna (hence the Club’s name, duh), an area that has seven office towers in a compact setting. If your arm’s pretty good, you could potentially hit ~2,000 “potential” Rotarians in those towers with a rock (but DON’T!).
The Landlord is the Stober Group, a philanthropic organization that has their own charitable foundation. When the fires ravaged the Okanagan this summer, the Stober Group kicked into high gear, including promoting a one-day food drive for the Central Okanagan Food Bank, in aid of the families impacted by the fires. With the Stober Group’s permission, our club extended this food drive for an additional two weeks.
Our donation boxes were placed in the foyers of the seven office towers, we managed to “squeeze” an additional 115 lbs of non-perishable food items – not a “flash”-in-the-pan project after all!
