HAS CEO Louis Martin and HAS Development staffer Katherine Matson spoke to the Rotary Club of Key West on March 20, with Louis joining from his office in Haiti via Skype. They covered the hospital’s progress over the past year and priorities for the future, including highlights of the recently adopted five-year strategic plan.
The Rotary Club of Key West has supported HAS for more than 30 years. As International Chair Rachel Oropeza points out, many Rotaries support a project or organization for a few years, then move on to another one. But the Rotary Club of Key West has never wavered in its commitment to furthering the lifesaving work of HAS. Sandy Higgs, a longtime Rotary Club of Key West member and former International Chair, said, “As Rotarians, our long-running relationship with Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti has provided us the opportunity to make a tremendous difference internationally in the lives of those in need of quality health care and clean water.”
“Many Rotarians near HAS have long enjoyed a productive relationship with the Rotary Club of Key West, and we have great respect for the work they do,” notes Dawn Johnson, Director of Integrated Community Services at HAS and Assistant Governor of Rotary District 7020 in Haiti. “They are true partners and friends to HAS.”
A few years ago, Rachel was able to visit HAS and observe firsthand the heroic work happening at HAS. “I had the privilege of watching the amazing group at HAS do so much good with so little,” Rachel remembers. “I was truly blown away!” Rachel was also able to attend a local Rotary meeting with the nearby Rotary Club of Verrettes, held by candlelight just after a heavy summer rainstorm had lifted. “To this day, it remains my favorite Rotary meeting of all time!” Rachel laughs.
Through fundraisers, reverse raffles, and direct support from members, the Rotary Club of Key West has raised well over $150,000 over the years for HAS. They are on track again this year to raise another major gift to help support the hospital’s most urgent needs in the midst of another cholera season and ever-increasing demand on core hospital services, such as surgery and trauma care.
Mr. Knight sums up what so many members of the Rotary Club of Key West have put into action over the years: “I feel honored to be able to help.”
Thank you, Rotary Club of Key West, for your decades of generosity to the patients and families served by HAS!
“I’m very, very proud of what the Rotary Club of Key West has done for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer Haiti over the years.”
– Key West Rotarian Ed Knight
The Rotary Club of Key West was first introduced to HAS through Edward Knight, successful businessman and pillar of the tight-knit Key West community, longtime Rotarian, and devoted supporter of HAS. “I want the biggest bang for my buck with whatever I do,” says Mr. Knight. “And HAS is one of my favorite charities. I’m very, very proud of what the Rotary Club of Key West has done for Hôpital Albert Schweitzer over the years.”
Many Rotarians near HAS have long enjoyed a productive relationship with the Rotary Club of Key West.