President Ruth introduced David and Marissa Troxell who were to speak to us regarding our Bikes to School project. Helping others
David read remarks from his heart that he had jotted down on their LONG flight home from Bangkok and I begged him for the exact copy so I could memorialize it for each and every one of you. I’ve read and reread it many times…I hope you will too. THANK YOU, DAVID!
“Good afternoon, dear friends…and I do mean that, because you are our dear friends and it’s wonderful to see you all taking time out to come here today to hear about our Club’s Bike to School project.
You know, the more we travel the world seeing the good and the bad, the prosperity and pain…the more we realize what a splendid thing Rotary Club is. We’re not a religion or political organization…we are a kind and strong people dedicated to doing good. Both here and abroad.
We do many things for each other as a club. We care for each other. We rejoice in each other’s happiness, and we mourn in our loss…and we care for others…many of whom we have never met.
We have learned in this club that helping others is the way to get to know the best parts of ourselves. The Rotary Club of Jamestown has a proud history of over 100 years. Marissa and I have been associated with this Club for just 12 years or 13. And during that time we made some of our best friends and been part of some of the most meaningful Club projects.
We know that 60% of the money that we raise in our hard-working fundraising goes to local projects. Whether it’s Bibs and Books for newborn infants, literacy training, a new sign announcing a welcome all to the city of Jamestown. Mentoring new people to enter the business world and be part of our growing community. This work, including many too numerous to mention, has defined the Rotary Club of Jamestown in its excellence.
Abroad we have been involved many years working with other Clubs in drilling wells in Haiti and supporting orphanages in Africa. Recently Greg and Sue Jones joined with Rotary Clubs in Mexico to install water filters in mountain villages.
This club has also sponsored over $40,000 worth of direct international projects in Africa, Asia, and Pakistan over the past ten years. Projects that have been lifechanging for hundreds and hundreds of people, most of them children. Should we be proud of that? Of course. But more than that we should be grateful that we have been able to share.
Service above self…if you think about it…what that really means is there some important things in my life that I’m going to give. I won’t keep them for myself…money, time skills…I will give them as service to other people in need. That’s a profound thing and believe me when we look out into the world it’s also a very special thing.
Thank You.” David Troxell
On to David and Marissa’s program…
PLEASE, take the time to watch the ZOOM recording of our meeting which will include ALL the pertinent information and wonderful photographs of the 1,171 bicycles that were given away to children in Cambodia over three days.
Our Club, the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY, was proud to partner with the Sentosa Rotary Club of Singapore to repair and refurbish the more than 1,100 bicycles with new seats, handlebars, and baskets in addition to repainting them in Rotary’s blue and gold colors, each sporting a plaque with the name of the donor.
Education is highly valued in Cambodia and the children must pay for and wear a uniform and shoes in addition to paying for their books. Many of the children walk many miles to get to school, so a bicycle is very precious. The bicycles were distributed based upon the students who lived farthest from school and had the highest grades.
It was fun to see the celebration of the distribution that included a traditional tree planting as well as the costumes and dances of their culture. David and Marissa were also honored to meet the District Governor who is responsible for clubs on 20 different islands. He receives a $30,000 stipend to enable him to travel to visit these clubs, which he donated back. The presentation, held at the State Teachers College also included a speech by the Cambodia Secretary of Education.
David stated it was heartwarming to think about the hundreds and hundreds of people on this globe who have benefited from the generosity of the Rotary Club of Jamestown, NY.
Again – I urge you to watch the video ZOOM!
