Rotaract Archives

The 2009 Black Tie, Blue Jeans Gala benefiting DLC Nurse and Learn received recognition for Rotary International’s 2009-2010 Rotaract outstanding projects for the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Rotaract of Florida’s First Coast is one of seven Rotaract clubs internationally to receive the award.

2009-2010 Rotary International recognition of Rotaract outstanding projects recipients

• International: Rotaract Club of Manila (District 3810, Philippines) for “Response and Relief Program” (to collect and distribute relief supplies, provide medical assistance, and raise funds to rehabilitate two learning centers for residents of five communities affected by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in the region of Manila,
Philippines)

• Africa Districts: Rotaract Club of Quatre Bornes (District 9220, Mauritius) for “Let’s Change Their Future” (to provide bathing facilities and items, nutrition education, vitamin-rich foods, and school uniforms to 400 impoverished students at Serge Coutet Government School in Baie du Tombeau, Mauritius)

• Asia Pacific Districts: Rotaract Club of Chung Yuan (District 3520, Taiwan) for “Rotary Promises We Achieve” (to raise $10,000 in Taipei, Taiwan towards the global campaign to eradicate polio)

• Europe Districts: Rotaract Club of Izmir-Göztepe (District 2440, Turkey) for “Clean Sea Project” (to raise awareness of the need for and benefits of safe water and sanitation among 7,600 children in 47 primary schools in Izmir, Turkey)

• Latin America Districts: Rotaract Clubs of Puebla de los Ángelos, Puebla Centro Histórico, Puebla Industrial, and Chilpancingo de los Bravo (District 4180, Mexico) for “Centros Rotaract de Iniciación Technológica para Niños Indígenas (Rotaract Technology Centers for Indigenous Children)” (to provide four computer labs and remodel one school dormitory serving 300 indigenous youth in the region of Puebla, Mexico)

• South Asia Districts: Rotaract Club of Women’s Christian College (District 3230, India) for “Stree Suraksha” (to create awareness of domestic violence with the general public in Chennai, India)

• United States, Canada, and Caribbean Districts: Rotaract Club of Florida’s First Coast (District 6970, USA) for “Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala” (to raise $22,000 for a school serving special needs children in Jacksonville, Florida)

The Ninth Annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala was held Saturday night at the Southlight Gallery in downtown Jacksonville. Gala chairs Laura Wharen and Tia Nash alongside Rotaract President Phil Bravo presented this year’s beneficiary, Morningstar school, with a check for $23,000 to cover expenses of building a covered walkway in front of the school.

View some of the photos from the event

Mr. John Kenny, President of Rotary International sent this letter congratulation Rotaract of Florida’s First Coast on celebrating 20 years of service at the annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala.

Below is the text of the letter from Mr. Kenny.

1 May 2010

To Those Attending
The 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Rotaract Club of Florida’s First Coast

Dear Rotaractors:
I would like to extend my special welcome to the Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala where you will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Rotaract Club of Florida’s First Coast.

Your presence tonight in Jacksonville—simply the fact that each of you has chosen to take the time and travel to be at this gala celebration, in itself says volumes about who you are. As Rotaractors, you’ve chosen to spend your time talking about subjects such as water, health, hunger, and literacy. You’ve chosen not to spend time on yourselves, but on others. You’ve chosen to spend it in service. I am proud to have you as part of Rotaract, and proud to have Rotaract as part of our organization.

As the poet Byron wrote, the days of our youth are the days of our glory. And in Rotaract, the days of your youth are the glory of all of Rotary. You are the future of Rotary, and you are the future of your communities. What you choose to do, what you choose to make of yourselves, will not only affect yourselves. It will affect us all.

As you celebrate this important milestone in your club’s history, remember the responsibility for Rotaract (and Rotary) is yours. And once the gala celebration is over, dream great dreams of Rotaract service. And go back to your club and sponsor Rotary Club to discover how to achieve them. The Future of Rotary Is in Your Hands.

Sincerely,

John Kenny
President, Rotary International

The annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans Gala will be held Saturday, May 1 at the Southlight Gallery, 100 North Laura Street, Jacksonville, Florida. Tickets are $50/person and can be purchased at jaxrotaract.org.