Oak Forest Rotary's Award Winning 2010-2011 International Project

At the District 6450 Conference held 5/12- 5/15 in Sheboygan, WI the Oak Forest Rotary Club won first place for their International Project. The Rotary Club of Oak Forest paired with 2 other local clubs (Chicago-Lakeview and Oak Park River Forest) to complete an International project with the village of Glei in Togo.  Rotarian Jane McDonald (of Rotary One Chicago - picture attached), has been a Peace Corps Volunteer stationed there for almost two years, and is acting as the on the ground coordinator for the project.   The village members in Togo are working to move their waste-site further outside of the village limits in order to improve water and sanitation conditions.  Historically, they have been doing this by hand without efficient or safe equipment.   Funds raised by the clubs here in the Chicago area will go to purchase gloves, work boots, wheel barrows, rakes, and uniforms.  As of today, each club has donated $500 toward the cause.  The money has been wired to Togo by Oak Park Rotarian & Banker Ruth McLaren.

Oak Forest Rotarian and International Director Michele Thornton developed this program working with Jane McDonald.  Michele's brainchild, is the Oak Forest Rotary Club's pride and joy having won first prize for best Intenational Project in the 2010-11 Rotary year from Rotary District 6450.   Michele hopes to develop a long term partnership with the village and identify future opportunities where small clubs like ours, can make a big impact overseas.  

Congratulations Michele!!!