Rotarians help tsunami victims build new schools

The Sisters Rotary Club is joining other Central Oregon Rotarians to help rebuild and equip schools in Sri Lanka after the island was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami last December.

So far, Central Oregon Rotarians have donated or pledged $23,000. The Sisters club has pledged $3,000 of that.

“We expect the money to continue to grow,” said Andy Zook.

Zook is a Bend Rotarian who is helping coordinate the efforts of local Rotary clubs. He said he has a growing list of contributors.

He is working to organize a trip so that local Rotary clubs have “eyes and ears on the ground” when the school building begins.

“We look to leverage matching opportunities,” said Zook.

He is working with Rotary International to find matching funds for the money raised locally. Rotary International is interested in supporting longer-term recovery efforts in communities in South Asia hit by the deadly tsunami. Rotarians around the world are working through their clubs to help survivors of the tragedy in numerous ways.

“There is clearly the need,” said Zook, adding that 60 percent of the schools in Sri Lanka were damaged in the disaster.

The money raised by local Rotarians will help construct the buildings and equip them with supplies such as desks and computers.

“It only takes about $12,000 to build a new school in Sri Lanka,” said Scott Pillar of Steelhead Construction Services. Pillar and Steelhead owner Gerry Bogart decided to help when they heard at their Sisters Rotary meeting that building schools was “relatively inexpensive.”

For every residential project that Steelhead completes, they will contribute $500 in the homeowner’s name. They will donate $250 for remodeling projects, and $100 for design projects.

“The need to help can almost be overwhelming. We feel fortunate to be able to do our part to assist victims in a tangible way,” said Bogart.

Pillar and Bogart are asking their suppliers to chip in and join their school rebuilding efforts.

“This could get pretty big pretty fast,” said Pillar.

People interested in contributing toward the school rebuilding project can contact the Sisters Rotary Club at 549-8945.