Rotary Club District Governor Julie Sawyer Offers A Helping Hand to Wheeling Rotarians

WHEELING - The Wheeling Rotary Club hosted Rotary Club District 7545 Governor Julie Sawyer during its regular noon meeting Tuesday at WesBanco Arena.

Sawyer, whose home club is in Fairmont, W.Va., said she was traveling across the district, which encompasses West Virginia minus the Eastern Panhandle, to talk with Rotarians and let them know the district is there to serve the clubs.

“One of the things I most strongly believe in is that every club already has the talent, passion and experience needed to thrive,” she said. “And I see that here today … which is fantastic. That just warms my heart.

“My role as district governor is not to tell clubs what to do, but to be a resource for the clubs. To help them find the answers that they long for.”

For example, if the club has a project idea, Sawyer said she could connect the group with another club that has experience in a similar endeavor.

“So you don’t have to reinvent the wheel,” she added. “And I’m also here to remove barriers so your club can achieve the goals that matter most to you.”

Sawyer said one of her main goals as district governor is to help eradicate polio.

“My father-in-law had polio. He had one leg that was smaller than the other,” she said. “But my father-in-law was also an alternate in gymnastics for the Olympics.”

She added that some polio survivors are able to overcome the disease and its impact, but there are children today still being afflicted by it.

“There are children who don’t deserve to live like that. It’s preventable,” Sawyer said. “And it’s only an airplane ride away from America. … That’s scary.”

Her goal is for the district to raise enough money to vaccinate 500,000 children this year.

“If we raise $100,000, the Gates Foundation matches that 2 to 1, which means they would give $200,000 for a total of $300,000, which will vaccinate a half-million children,” she said. “Vaccinations are 60 cents apiece. … So for every dollar you give you are vaccinating five children.”

She noted one way Rotarians could help raise funds is to ask for a donation to the End Polio Now or Polio Plus Society instead of asking for a birthday present this year.

The Wheeling Rotary Club is always looking for new members. The club typically meets at noon Tuesdays at WesBanco Arena in the lower-level club room. For more information, one can attend a meeting, visit rotarywheeling.org, visit the “Rotary Club of Wheeling, West Virginia” Facebook page or call 304-280-6212.

Sawyer added that she planned to attend the New Martinsville Rotary Club meeting Tuesday night and the Moundsville meeting today.