MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS
With our growing community of 1.2 million members,
located around the world.
WE TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES
Rotarians invest approximately 47 million volunteer hours every year, into improving the lives of those around them
WE FUND SUSTAINABLE PROJECTS
$291 million awarded for global service initiatives in 2023-24
Join Us
Lifestraws
WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM INITIATIVE
Our Rotary club’s water filtration program involves funding for the purchase and maintenance of portable water filtration system, primarily for rural, underprivileged schools in Kenya. The filtration systems we finance through this program are primarily Community LifeStraws, which can clean 100,000 liters of water, providing safe drinking water for up to 100 people for 5 years. Community LifeStraws cost an average of $350, and their useful life can be extended with monitoring and maintenance costing average of $100. "Lifetime LifeStraw" which is $500 for new units which includes the delivery and the maintenance and replacement parts as needed. Every $5 does give a child clean water for 5 years at this pricing.
The need for these filtration systems in tremendous. 2.2 million people in developing countries, most of them children, die every year from diseases associated with unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. Lack of access to safe drinking water contributes to the staggering burden of diarrheal diseases worldwide, particularly affecting the young, the immunocompromised and the poor. Nearly one in five child deaths – about 1.5 million each year – is due to diarrhea.
Approximately 43% of the global population, especially the lower-income populace in the remote and rural parts of the developing world, is deprived of household safe piped water. “Point-of-use” treatment is an alternative approach, which can accelerate the health gains associated with the provision of safe drinking water to the at-risk populations. It empowers people to control the quality of their drinking water. In many rural and urban areas of the developing world, household water-quality interventions can reduce diarrheal morbidity by more than 40%. Water filters have been shown to be the most effective interventions amongst all point-of-use water treatment methods for reducing diarrheal diseases.
For our water filtration program, we partner with Replenish, a 501(c) 3 organization based in Arlington, Texas outside of Dallas. Replenish identifies schools in need, purchases the LifeStraws and coordinates the distribution of the LifeStraws.
Our Rotary club thanks you for your support of our water filtration initiative with Replenish. If you would like to make a donation to support this program, please click on the link below. If you would like additional information, please also feel free to contact Les Campbell, our club’s Water Projects committee chair, by email at lcampbell@hjsims.com, or by phone at 800-593-9172.
On behalf of the children whose lives who literally will be saved through your support, we again thank you for your support!
Click below to donate to our LifeStraws program:
Jeffrey Shaffner
2025-2026 Club President
Club President Letter 2025-26
Dear Fellow Rotarians,
It’s a true honor to begin this Rotary year as your President. Thank you for the trust you’ve placed in me—I’m genuinely excited to serve alongside such a passionate, generous, and thoughtful group. There’s a real sense of momentum building in our club, and I believe this is going to be a standout year.
Our Rotary International theme, Unite for Good, is more than a motto—it’s a mindset. In a world that can sometimes feel divided or disconnected, we have a unique opportunity to be the bridge. Through service, fellowship, and shared purpose, we can show what’s possible when people come together with open hearts and a commitment to doing good.
This year, we’ll build on the strong foundation already in place by:
- Deepening our partnerships in the community
- Strengthening engagement and belonging within our club
- Spreading awareness of the amazing work we do
- Empowering our committees with clear goals and purpose
- Celebrating the diversity of talents and perspectives among us
- Growing our collaboration with the Rotary Community Corps
- Getting a great start on our new expansive, all-hands-on-deck social media campaign to let our community know the great work we do.
And just look at what we’re already doing:
✅ The Rotary Connection, supporting our homeless neighbors
✅ Rotarians Honoring Rotarians, recognizing outstanding contributions
✅ Challenge Air, helping youth realize their potential
✅ Holiday drives, bell ringing, community meals, and more
✅ Honoring veterans, awarding scholarships, and uplifting lives
As we look ahead, one thing is clear—our future success depends on growth. That means growing our membership in size, diversity, and engagement.
We thrive when new voices, new perspectives, and new energy join our mission. Whether you’re deeply involved, just getting started, or somewhere in between—you matter to this club. Every member has something valuable to offer, and every step toward engagement helps strengthen the whole.
This year, I encourage each of us to bring our unique passion to the table—and if you know someone who shares our values, invite them in. Think about the possibilities if each of us brought in just one new member. Let’s grow not just in numbers, but in richness of culture, age, background, and ideas.
And while we’re doing this meaningful work, let’s not forget to enjoy ourselves. Rotary is about service, but it’s also about connection and camaraderie. Let’s make time for laughter, creativity, and fun—because people are drawn to the kind of joy and purpose that Rotary brings.
We are stewards of a 103-year legacy—and I truly believe our best days are still ahead. Let’s unite, serve, and grow—together.
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Jeffrey Shaffner
President, 2025-2026, Rotary Club of Fort Lauderdale
Volunteer With Us
As we begin our Rotary year, here is a quick reminder of the service projects we have on our schedule so far. We do not have exact dates for everything, but please keep these projects in mind and be on the lookout for more information. If you would like to help with any of these projects, please contact the chair directly. If you have ideas for new projects, please contact Jorg Hruschka.
- Find Your Way Home – Jorg Hruschka – Select Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Holiday Toy Drive – Linda Cooke – October – December
- Thanksgiving Baskets – Steve Botkin – November
- Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Steve Botkin – December
- Challenge Air – Dan Rizzi – January 2026
Rotarians In Action