Mercy Ships

     In the summer of 2009, the Graham Rotary Club partnered with ten other clubs and individual Rotarians to support Mercy Ships. By the time District 7690 kicked in cash and designated funds and District 7770 added dsignated funds, $33,675 had been raised. All of this money is going to a great cause.
     The Togolese Republic (Togo) borders Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north. To the south is the Gulf of Guinea coast. The world's largest non-governmental hospital ship, "Mercy Africa," will be in port in the Togo Gulf of Guinea for ten months of 2010, bringing hope and healing to the world's forgotten poor. It's crew of both professional medical and non-medical volunteers serves all people without regard for race, gender, or religion. An excellent video of their work may be viewed on this web page.
     The Graham Rotary Club raised their commitment money by sponsoring a pancake supper and 5K run. The Graham 5K was done in partnership with Graham Recreation and Parks. The event is to be biannual in the fall and spring, raising funds for the two groups' charities. This fall the charities were Mercy Ships and the Haw River Trail.
     The clubs and individuals who participated were: Jenny Braswell (Clemmons Rotary), Graham Rotary, Greensboro Airport Rotary, Lexington Rotary, Lome-Zenith Rotary, Togo (the host club in West Africa), Randolph Rotary, Rick Snider (Lexington Rotary), San-Lee Rotary, Southern Guilford-New Generations Rotary, Summit Rotary, and Thomasville Rotary.

Submitted by Mark Ryman,
Communication Chair, 2008-10