International Youth Day
Lexington Rotary Doffs Hat to Interact Club
On International Youth Day, August 12th
In 1999, the General Assembly of the United Nations endorsed the recommendation that August 12th of every year be set aside to promote better awareness of the many ways in youth contribute to the societies in which they live. The Lexington Rotary Club has chosen this special day to acknowledge all the hard work of our Interact Club. Rotary members were especially impressed by two international outreach efforts on the part of the Rockbridge Interact Club. In Sierra Leone, one of the most impoverished countries in the world, the club had established a sister school program with the Integrated Commercial and Technical Vocational Institute in Kenema. During a particulary fierce period of ethnic terrorism the school was badly damaged by fire. The Interact Club launched a project to raise money to restore the school through the sale of cards and calendars that featured the artwork of Kenema students. Not only did the students avidly work to raise funds but also asked that the Lexington Rotary Club get involved as well. The club was glad to play a role in helping with such a worthwhile endeavor.
In addition to this crucial project, the Interact club also devoted time and effort to raise funds for the Polio Plus program, which is so vital to stamping out polio worldwide and has now been generously aided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. These were just two of many service related projects that the Interact Club undertook this past year. The Lexington Rotary Club is proud to be affiliated with such an enthusiastic and committed group of young people. You can read more about International Youth Day. You can also see Better World Heros for great quotes on the impact of youth power and ideas for projects. This year's theme is "Youth and Climate Change: Time for Action."