Press Release

BC Rotarians receive international peace and humanitarian award
The Rotary World Help Network of BC received the Donald MacRae Peace Award this week for its contribution of $95 million in humanitarian medical and educational equipment to 51 developing countries. The Donald MacRae award is given annually to the individual or group of Rotarians in Canada, Alaska or the Russian Republic, which has made the greatest contribution to international peace through its humanitarian work.

The Rotary World Help Network of BC, which includes 37 Rotary clubs and 1,600 members, has sent 270 containers of medical and educational equipment and supplies to 51 developing countries since 1997. The total value of shipments has been estimated at $95 million.
“The work that the Network has done to support our fellow men and women in developing countries has had a dramatic impact on the people and communities that have been assisted,” said past District Governor Penny Offer. “We have donated fire engines to El Salvador, emergency medical supplies to wheel chairs and medical equipment to places like the Philipines, Kenya and Tanzania in all 51 countries and every continent around the world .The Network has forged alliances with dozens of institutions, businesses and charitable organizations in Metro Vancouver and across British Columbia who have all contributed to the success of the program.

In receiving the award, Network President Ann Hulbert commented "When our institutional and business partners are upgrading equipment or have surplus supplies, the old equipment and supplies can be used in many developing regions where their financial means and access is limited. By re-using equipment, we are offering tools to improve the quality of life for the tens of thousands of people we have reached with this program.”

The award was received in Boston on August 26 by Past District Governor Penny Offer on behalf of the Network. It was presented to the Network at a special luncheon meeting October 4 at 12 noon hosted by the Rotary Club of Vancouver at the Terminal City Club.

Background Information:
Rotary International, the first volunteer service organization, was founded in 1905. RI includes 1.2 million Rotarians undertaking humanitarian efforts through their 34,000 clubs. Rotary clubs operate in more than 200 countries and geographic areas around the globe.
The Rotary World Help Network of BC became a registered Charity in 1997. Membership is open to all Rotary Clubs in the province. All members contribute to the administrative costs, are represented on its Board and participate in decision making. Individual clubs sponsor the assembly and shipping cost of a given container which averages $8,500 per container.
Over the years, hundreds of Rotarian’s, friends and families have participated in the three-hour Saturday morning loading of containers at the Network’s warehouse at the Riverview Hospital in Coquitlam. Dozens of Rotarians devote many hours each week to pick up, sort, package and record and load the containers.

The award commemorates the contribution of Halifax Rotarian Donald MacRae who, in June 1918, proposed that Rotary International become an agent for the promotion of goodwill and peace among nations. In1921, as Chair of Rotary’s Constitution and Bylaws Committee, MacRae had an opportunity to incorporate this vision into the Constitution of Rotary, adding the Fourth Object of Rotary, International service. The award focuses on advancing international goodwill, understanding and peace through peacemaking efforts. The first Three Objects are (1) development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; (2) high ethical standards in business and professional; and (3) service in each Rotarian’s personal, business and community life.

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The Rotary World Help Network is a non-profit, registered charitable organization that coordinates the shipment of Educational, Humanitarian, and Medical supplies to countries in need. This effort is made possible through the generous donation of materials, money, time, and transportation. Established in 1997, the Rotary World Help Network is operated by a board of directors made up of Rotarians from various member clubs in British Columbia.

Our mission is to help communities help themselves through a coordinated effort to relocate used equipment and supplies. What's surplus in our country is desperately needed to serve the healing and educational needs of developing countries. This effort is made possible through generous donations of materials, money, time and transportation.

Shipment loading crew of Rotarians from eight local Rotary Clubs. Electric forklift donated by Harding Forklifts.

Rotarians from the Iquique Rotary Club at the unloading. Goods were distributed to various institutions in the area.

Jonathan B. Majiyagbe, Rotary International President 2003-2004 and Carlos Esquivel RWHN President 2003 - 2004 hold a box of medical supplies headed at the RWHN warehouse.