Last Monday evening we had the pleasure to meet members of Rotary District 6840 in the USA. This was a reciprocal visit, after Eastern Hutt Rotary members visited their district just prior to the onset of Covid.
Karen Babin from the Rotary Club of Metairie, who is leading the group, introduced a pictorial slide show, and started by speaking about their District, then introducing the other members.
Rotary District 6840, unites the diverse cultures of Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. The district includes communities from just west of the Mississippi River at New Orleans to the Mississippi/Alabama state line.
We heard that the landscape includes national forests, wildlife refuges, farmland, urban development, beaches, hills, swamps, bayous and the great Mississippi River. The landscape is very flat with some areas below sea level.
The area is well known for their Mardi Gras, Jazz music, music festivals, and street music. There is a Catholic and French influence. They are famously known for their ‘street cars’ (trams).
Karen spoke about her Club being chartered in 1953. She shared about some of the projects her Club is involved with. Her Club helps out with a local Food Bank, provides school supplies to students in lower socio-economic areas, and provides specially designed bikes for disabled children. They also assist the Salvation Army, provide food for the poor with their Hotel Hope programme, and fundraise with drink sales at the Jazz Fest.
Karen is accompanied by her cousin, Norma Robinson, from Colorado Springs.
John & Nancy Olinde are from the Rotary Club of New Orleans. This Club was chartered in 1910, being the 12th Rotary Club. We heard that this Club is involved in providing backpacks for students, food baskets for the needy, and a Jeanne d’Arc youth exchange with France. They also provide assistance to a school and orphanage in India.
Brett & Cindy Petry are members of the Rotary Club of Covington, chartered in 1927. We heard that Covington is known for its small-town charm, parks, and beautiful sunsets. This Club’s projects include ‘Feeding the Needy’ Christmas meals, a fundraising ‘Duck Race’ combined with a river clean-up, as well as assisting with Habitat building.
Our six visitors are guests of Kapiti, Eastern Hutt, Invercargill, and Queenstown Rotary Clubs.
Marilyn Stevens, Immediate Past District Governor and her husband Wayne attended the evening together with members guests. It was a very interesting evening enjoyed by all.