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Disaster Aid USA pairs Rotarians with humanitarian aid

Disaster Aid USA (DAUSA) began with one Rotary Club’s to North Carolina with Disaster Aid USA and for about two
Vision to nurture Rotary’s dream of a world absent of weeks, led teams in the cities of New Bern and Lumberton
pain and suffering by providing humanitarian aid when - an area that experienced tremendous flooding and tree
domestic disasters strike. DAUSA is a Rotary project damage. Dave’s teams cut and removed downed trees,
and is open to all US Rotary Districts, their clubs and cleared flooded household contents, and cut and removed
their members. DAUSA’s goal is to build a significant wet drywall and flooring.
humanitarian aid organization that provides immediate
relief to those victims when disasters strike. Shortly thereafter, Hurricane Michael ravaged the Florida
panhandle and Dave and Jan
DAUSA is not a First Responder. were deployed to Panama City
It views its role as “mucking and where they assisted with disaster
gutting” – tarping roofs, chain- relief efforts for two weeks.
sawing, debris removal, helping When Dave and Jan arrived,
prep meals and cooking, etc. portions of the city were without
DAUSA prides itself on delivering electricity or water. While Jan
humanitarian aid while being enjoys cooking, her skills were
transparent and accountable maximized in leading a team that
with the objects of Rotary as served over 300 meals a day to
its foundation. DAUSA focuses the community and volunteers
on rebuilding communities by from sunrise to sunset! Dave
assessing their needs and then led teams that tarped roofs, cut
securing and delivering aid and removed downed trees,
through its Disaster Response cleared out personal belongs,
Teams (DARTs). and removed wet ceilings. Dave
has found that each disaster
Two District 6690 Rotarians is different. While Hurricane
involved in Disaster Aid USA Florence brought wind and a lot
are Dave and Jan Roasa, both of flooding, the best description
members of the Grove City Club. of Hurricane Michael’s damage
Dave learned about Disaster is a 100 mile wide tornado that
Aid USA when attending an RI stayed in place for 2 hours!!
Convention and soon thereafter, Dave and Jan Roasa are available
began a year-long disaster to present Disaster Aid USA
response training to become a to your Rotary Club or simply
member of DART. answer questions - they would
love share their experiences.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Please contact Dave at
Florence last fall, Dave traveled daveroasa@gmail.com.

District 6690 P.E.T.S. Challenge

In partnership with My Very Own Blanket,
supporting children in foster care.

Goal: 3,600 blankets
Make your own blanket or donate $10
For more information, click here
(or https://www.allohiopets.org/service-project/)