MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.4 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
Rotary awarded $333 million to global service initiatives throughout the 2020 pandemic
Join Us
Water Projects Overview
THE MISSION
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale actively supports water projects which provide clean, sustainable water, sanitation and economic development to underprivileged areas, primarily in Africa.
THE NEED
Consider the following facts relating to the urgent need to improve safe drinking water supplies and better sanitation throughout the world:
WATER FACTS:
- 1 billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water, roughly one-sixth of the world's population.
- 50 percent of people on earth lack adequate sanitation
- Every minute of every day a child dies from a water-related disease
- 2.2 million people in developing countries, most of them children, die every year from diseases associated with unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.
- Half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water related illnesses.
- In the past 10 years, diarrhea has killed more children than all the people lost to armed conflict since World War II.
- 358 million children in Africa don’t have clean drinking water
- African women walk an average of 3.6 miles to collect water
- The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day vs. 5 gallons per day for the average African family.
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HOW WE ARE HELPING
Since our club began its water project initiative in 2007, we have contributed over $500,000 to the two principal programs which we support. These programs are: 
WATER WELLS
Our club provides funding for the construction and operation of water wells in rural, underprivileged schools in South Africa in desperate need of water. For this initiative, we partner with A Spring of Hope, a 501(c)3 or
ganization. Spring of Hope identifies, locates promising well site and coordinates construction of each well. The average well costs about $10,000, and we are proud of the fact that every well that we’ve ever funded is still in operation!
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEMS
Our club provides funding for to purchase of LifeStraw community water filtration systems, primarily for schools in Kenya. For this program, we partner with Replenish, a 501(c)3 organization based in Arlington, Texas. Replenish identifies schools in need, purchases the filters and coordinates distribution. Each Community LifeStraw can clean 100,000 liters of water, providing safe drinking water for up to 70 people for 5 years. Community LifeStraws cost average of $350, life can be extended with monitoring and maintenance costing an average of $100. "Lifetime LifeStraw" which is $500 for new units which includes the delivery and the maintenance and replacement parts as needed. Every $5 does give a child clean water for 5 years at this pricing.
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| Click here for more information about A Spring of Hope and our Water Wells Program. | Click here for more information about Replenish and our Water Filtration Program. |
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Click below to donate to our Water Wells Program: |
Click below to donate to our LifeStraw Program: |
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale registration number is CH6195
and the Rotary 1090 Foundation registration number is CH8789.
Dan Rizzi
2024-2025 Club President
Club President Letter 2024-25
Dear Rotarians and Friends of Rotary:
I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of your 102nd President for the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale. As we embark on this new year, I stand humbled by the legacy of our esteemed past presidents who, for over a century, have leveraged their knowledge and dedication to build a remarkable organization committed to service.
Rotary International’s Theme: The Magic of Rotary
This year’s theme, “The Magic of Rotary,” compels us to consider the transformative power of our collective efforts. Imagine a world free from polio, with communities empowered to secure clean water, cultivate their own food, and connect via bridges that bring families and education closer. This, my fellow Rotarians, is the magic we create when we unite in service.
The Enduring Impact of the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Locally, the Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale has consistently embodied this spirit. Our enduring impact is evident in a multitude of initiatives, including:
- Partnering with Challenge Air to provide transformative flight experiences for 84 children facing physical and mental challenges, with the invaluable support of 19 pilots, 160 volunteers, and generous sponsors.
- Annually distributing hundreds of toys and gifts to brighten the holidays for underprivileged children and seniors.
- Awarding over $3 million in scholarships to deserving students within the Fort Lauderdale school district.
- Supporting the Wheelchair Foundation, fostering mobility for those in need.
Beyond Service, Building Community
We foster strong bonds within our club through:
- Engaging monthly socials and happy hours, fostering connections and camaraderie.
- Annual events like Thanksgiving baskets, Salvation Army bell ringing, and festive holiday and fall picnics that celebrate the joy of giving and shared experiences.
- Disaster relief efforts whenever communities face hardship.
A Look Forward
While we celebrate our past achievements, we also embrace new initiatives designed to elevate our service and engagement. These include:
- Weekly member introductions, fostering deeper connections within the club.
- Inviting inspiring speakers from the business community to share their expertise.
- Reintroducing the “Teacher of the Year” program, recognizing outstanding contributions within the educational sector.
- Establishing a “Rotarians Honoring Rotarians” program, acknowledging the exceptional contributions of dedicated members throughout their years of service.
Invitation to Serve and Connect
The Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale offers a unique space for individuals who seek to serve their community while forging meaningful connections. Our weekly meetings, held Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. at the Global Event Center at First Baptist Church in downtown Fort Lauderdale, followed by a social gathering on the last Wednesday of the month at a local venue, provide the perfect opportunity to experience the magic firsthand.
We warmly invite you to join us as a guest. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]. Together, let’s continue to weave the magic of Rotary, one act of service at a time.
Sincerely,
Daniel Rizzi President 2024-2025
Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Kristin LaFleur or St. George Guardabassi.
- School Supplies Drive for Broward Education Foundation – collecting now
- In Jacob’s Shoes – partnering with Pompano Beach RC – collecting now – Chair Evelyn Ciocco
- Hispanic Unity of Florida – Tony Abbate – August 3, 2024
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2025
- Agape Love Breakfast – Gail Auguston-Koppen – February
Rotarians In Action