Dear Fellow Rotarians and 

Non- Rotarian Friends:

If you are reading this, you know that I am enjoying my year as President of Rotary Club of Morro Bay.  “Service Above Self” is Rotary’s motto and is something that my family instilled in me at a very early age.  In fact, doing good for others was a key part of our cultural lifestyle as we successfully blended two cultures when my family immigrated to the USA from Türkiye when I was 12.  

As the horrific news of the devastating earthquake that shook Türkiye and Syria came in and the event unfolded on the screen in front of me, I was gutted thinking of the people,  friends, and family that are the victims of such a tragedy.  Sadly, the number of injured and dead is growing by the hour.

Many of you have asked “what can we do to help”? We feel distanced yet want to reach out to the victims and assist in some meaningful way. Therefore we have created a way to show we all care. The Rotary Club of Morro Bay has established a mechanism to fund the Rotary Club Ankara, Türkiye that is currently leading the charge to bring aid to the victims.

The Rotary Club of Ankara, of Türkiye District #2430 will collect our donations through Rotary International and use the funds exclusively to aid those in need in the earthquake ravaged areas.

Please, join me and contribute whatever you are moved to give in cash, check, or credit card through the Morro Bay Rotary website. The donation link appears on the left side of the home page.

Thank you for your support and God bless all.

Sincerely,

John Solu, 2022/2023 President