Rotary Club of Jacksonville Awarded $150,000 Grant to Assist Mercy Ships

Grant sets record for amount received.

Jacksonville, Fla. (Vocus/PRWEB ) February 20, 2007 -- The Rotary Club of Jacksonville is the recipient of a

$150,000 matching grant from Rotary International in support of the Mercy Ship, Africa Mercy.

The work carried out through this project will significantly improve the lives of many people in West Africa and help build international goodwill among the three countries

Our club not only focuses its efforts on local charities, but also those in need within the poorest of countries.

Rotary has been an exemplary partner with Mercy Ships for more than 20 years. We are honored by the association with Rotary at home and overseas

The Jacksonville club raised more than $480,000 to support the Mercy Ships project which was matched by the Rotary Foundation (RTF). The Florida club will coordinate the project internationally in partnership with the Rotary Clubs of Tema, Ghana, and Monrovia, Liberia. Partnering with clubs abroad was a key factor in the Jacksonville club being awarded the grant.

"The work carried out through this project will significantly improve the lives of many people in West Africa and help build international goodwill among the three countries," said Dr. Jerry Knauer, Rotary Jacksonville President. "Our club not only focuses its efforts on local charities, but also those in need within the poorest of countries."

The $150,000 grant marks the first time any club in District 6970 has received such a large contribution. The district is comprised of 57 clubs throughout North and Central Florida.

"Rotary has been an exemplary partner with Mercy Ships for more than 20 years. We are honored by the association with Rotary at home and overseas," said Don Stephens, Founder/President of Mercy Ships.

In a visit to Jacksonville last year, former UK Prime Minister Sir John Major informed the Jacksonville club of the great need for partnership in Africa through Mercy Ships.

The Africa Mercy, a 16,572 ton purpose-built hospital ship dedicated to providing medical and
development assistance in Africa, is bound for war-torn Liberia this coming spring on her maiden
voyage from the UK.

Acting President of Rotary Tema, Ako Odotei announced Ghana's partnership with the grant onboard the Mercy Ship in Ghana last week.

Rotary International is an organization of business and professional leaders united worldwide who provide humanitarian service, and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are approximately 1.2 million Rotarians who are members of more than 30,000 Rotary clubs in 162 countries.

Mercy Ships is the leader in using hospital ships to deliver free world-class medical and community development services to the world's forgotten poor. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships brings hope and healing to the poor in developing nations. For more information please go to www.mercyships.org

Mercy Ships Contact: Pauline Rick
(903)939-7649
pauline.rick @ mercyships.org

Rotary Contact: Pete Helow      
(904) 631-2617         
phelow @ comcast.net         

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