Dear Friends,
A few years ago I heard Marion at a Rotary Institute, and like most who hear her, I needed to hear more of the story and needed to hear how one could help.
Also some years ago, a Rotarian friend of mine had a son who died of AIDS related causes. No one knew what to do or what to say. The father was devastated and seemed lost for quite a few years thereafter.
When I contrast what Marion has done out of a tragedy compared to my friend, I see that determined strategic activism is the direction that helps to heal and also saves others from the consequenses of this awful disease.
Marion is one of the most impressive Rotarians I have ever met. She regularly visits where RFFA programs are benefitting young children who have been orphaned through HIV/AIDS related issues. Even though I have not met Reagan, I truly think I know him as Marion has brought his story and the stories of so many others to us in such a vivid way.
Rotarian Action Groups such as RFFA can do so much working with cooperative partners and with Rotarians throughout the world. Groups such as RFFA help the lives of kids and also serve as laboratories for effective action for much larger entities. The work of Marion, RFFA’s partners and Rotarians enrich those we seek to help and also all of us as we learn to become more compassionate and more circumspect about our own station in life and the good grace that we have benefitted from.
One needs only to look at the recent posting of the kid at the dump to see that RFFA needs our support.
Mike McGovern
Rotary Club of South Portland, Maine USA
RI Vice Presdent 2007-2008
Board Member of RFFA 2009-
