District 7930 - Rotaplast 2008 Rancagua Chile

I would like to first take this opportunity to thank every Rotarian and friend of Rotary for your continued support and enthusiasm for our Rotaplast Missions. Fundraising efforts are underway to support our seventh consecutive District 7930 sponsored Rotaplast Mission. I will “Share Rotary” as Mission Director, with our next location which I’m pleased to say is Rancagua, Chile. Rotaplast had a mission at this location in 2003 and there were many surgeries performed .

Four years later, there are a large number of children remaining in need of our help. Rotaplast has been invited back by the Rotary clubs and the hospital staff to provide another Mission. I am very excited to be going on this mission and to lead a team made up of medical and non-medical volunteers mostly from our district. I am attaching a Non-Medical application which you can print and give to any interested Rotarians in your club.

Please have completed applications faxed to me at 978 683-9110. I will be happy to answer any questions at any time regarding this mission by email or by phone 978 683-9793.

Our days are long and the work is demanding but so rewarding, as we practice “hands-on” world community service together. The children’s lives are forever changed and so are those of the Rotaplast volunteers. Though we will be working hard and not vacationing during our visit, I am told it is a beautiful country with strong Rotary support for our Team. We will be sponsored by SIX Rotary clubs!

Working with the local Ipswich Rotary Club, the Ipswich middle school students recently presented Donna-Lee a record-breaking check for $6,000 toward the mission !! In addition, several memorial contributions were also received - all a giant surprise presentation !!

Donna-Lee continued: As Rotaplast Ambassador it is my duty to collect the funds needed to support the mission costs. Our mission estimated cost is US $70,000. The mission needs to be paid for three months before our departure so that supplies and medications can be obtained and packed. I am grateful to DG Julia for obtaining 100% supportfor this mission from our Presidents at PETS last March. I ask that you support two or more children’s surgeries so that we can meet our mission costs. The six Rotary clubs will locate the poor children in need of surgery. Please send your support now.

Donations from Rotary clubs and individuals, can be made out to D7930 Rotaplast and sent to me at:

625 Great Pond Road, North Andover, MA.01845

ADDITIONAL NEWS ITEMS!

Saturday Feb 2nd was our opening clinic. We all came together as a team and screened the children & some young adults. This is a different mission in that we are going to provide very involved maxofacial surgery. The cases will be longer and very involved. We will have fewer numbers but more involved cases. We will really make a difference here.

Our D7930 Rotarians worked hard and are troopers. They are excited to be part of this mission & feel blessed to be here helping.

We unpacked our 37 boxes & set up the OR & recovery rooms & our supply room. I am proud of our team. I tell the team "Attitude Dictates Altitude" and they are great.

On our only day off the Rotarians took us to tour the oldest & deepest copper mine in the world. They arranged everything & are hosted us generously. We had lunch at the mine, wore hard hats, coveralls & boots & lived the experience.

I thank you, in advance, on behalf of the children.

You are truly Amigos de Los Ninos.

Onwards & Upwards,

Donna-Lee Young Rubin PDG

Rotaplast Ambassador

Mission Director, Rancagua,Chile

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