Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay's Global Reach Extends to China and Beyond: Alliance for Smiles Team Welcomed Home

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay recently welcomed members Steve Anderson and Joe Brennan home from their participation in Alliance for Smiles in the remote Guizhou Province of China at the Xinghi Peoples Hospital. The heartfelt mission of the Alliance for Smiles is to “repair children’s broken smiles by providing free comprehensive treatment for cleft lip and palate anomalies in under-served areas of the world.” There were 22 participants in this mission from around the world, with Joe Brennan serving as mission director and Steve Anderson as quartermaster. The surgical team performed 75 surgeries in 9 days and also performed dozens of extractions, fillings, and cleanings throughout their visit.

This team underscores the Club and Rotary International’s commitment to global health and children’s welfare. Worldwide, Rotary International is close to its goal eradicating endemic polio with 99% of the world polio-free. Club members have been active participants in fund raising and awareness building for this important fight.

Another member with a passion for international causes is Dr. Eric Shapira, who was recognized for his voluntarism as a teacher of geriatric medicine, nursing, and dentistry in China and awarded the Friendship Award in the Shanxi Province – the highest humanitarian award bestowed by the Chinese government. Member Mitone Griffiths has become an ambassador for Shelterbox which provides mobile relief to disaster sites worldwide. This initiative touched her deeply in the wake of the Philippines tsunami where she visited family shortly after the disaster struck. Shelterbox has been front and center after the Nepal earthquake, and Rotary International has supported Shelterbox in the efforts to support the Nepalese people.

Local community members have the opportunity to see Rotarians at the annual Half Moon Bay 4th of July parade, where they will march and display posters focusing on the Club’s service mission.

The Rotary Club of Half Moon Bay is one of 34,000 clubs around the world. Rotary International’s signature cause is the eradication of polio, and the end is in sight with just three countries in the world with endemic cases. The Half Moon Bay Club meets each Thursday for lunch at the Portuguese Center at 724 Kelly Street in downtown Half Moon Bay. http://www.rotaryofhalfmoonbay.com/

Contact Mary Corcoran, Public Relations Chairperson, at mcorcoranhmb@gmail.com or 650-218-0436.