Matching Grant 74319 : Rotary and Red Cross partners in taking care of humanity

Alaminos City, Pangasinan, Philippines (December 19, 2011) – The Rotary Club of Hundred Islands is a recipient of a US$5,200 Matching Grant from The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International in support of the blood bank project of the Philippine Red Cross – Alaminos City Western Pangasinan Chapter.

The Hundred Islands club raised P18,000, Philippine Currency (roughly US$400) as counterpart for the purchase a brand new blood refrigerator.  Rotary International District 3790 District Governor Manuel “Manny” Yu contributed the District Designated Fund in the amount of US$2,000.  The Philippine club coordinated the project internationally in partnership with the Rotary Club of Cascavel Uniao, Brazil and the Rotary International District 4640 Past District Governor Dalva Rigoni contributed the District Designated Fund in the amount of US$3,000.  Partnering with Rotary Clubs abroad was a key factor in the Hundred Islands club being awarded the grant.

To provide a continuous supply of blood to dengue patients in the whole of Western Pangasinan, the Alaminos City Western Pangasinan Chapter of the Red Cross needs a brand new blood bank refrigerator.  The existing blood bank refrigerator is small and is in danger of going out of commission.  The chapter is presently using a blood refrigerator borrowed from the Province of Pangasinan.

“Rotary has been an exemplary partner of the Philippine Red Cross.  We are honored by the association with Rotary here in Western Pangasinan and the whole country,“ said Arthur F. Celeste, Chairman, Philippine Red Cross – Alaminos City Western Pangasinan Chapter.

The US$5,200 grant is the first ever contribution received by any club in the Province of Pangasinan, one of the eleven provinces covered by Rotary International District 3790 composed of 94 clubs.

Rotary International is a volunteer organization of business, professional, and community leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world.  There are approximately 1.2 million Rotary club members belonging to 33,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.  Learn more at www.rotary.org.