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While Westerville Rotarians have been responsibly exercising social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, life goes on in the community. It goes on rather strangely, under Gov. DeWine’s Stay-at-Home order issued March 23, but it goes on.

Millions across the country and thousands in our community have been caught up in the economic fallout of closed shops, restaurants, furloughs and layoffs.

Our longtime beneficiary, the WARM food pantry, has been hit hard too.

The demand for food from WARM spiked more than 200 percent in the first week of the stay-home order, and another 50 percent the second week. Please note: WARM only serves residents of our very own Westerville School District.

In response, the Rotary Club of Westerville Board of Directors last week launched an emergency fundraiser for WARM. The board pledged to fully match all club members’ donations to WARM, up to $1,500. So, our members’ $1,500 will turn into $3,000 – and any funds raised beyond the match will be added straight to the total as well. We hope we can exceed the $3,000!

Our Club Sergeant-At-Arms, Dr. Steve Mallick, has taken up the challenge of encouraging donation to the WARM fundraiser.

As Steve points out:

  • “You’ve entirely avoided my fines at our lunches” since March 5 – our last before regular meeting before we suspend all social gatherings due to the Coronavirus.
  • “And you’ve saved at least 12 bucks a week” for more than a month, by not buying Rotary lunches at Villa Milano.

So, Steve says, Step Up for WARM!

Send your check for our emergency fundraiser for WARM, payable to the Rotary Club of Westerville, to our club Treasurer Dave Coffman, PO Box 595, Westerville 43086-0595. Or you can send your check directly to WARM, mark your donation “Westerville Rotary Noon,” and let Dave know, so you will be credited for the matching funds.

Thank you for considering a donation to our emergency fundraiser for WARM!

Find out more about WARM at the Westerville Area Resource Ministry website.