2024-25 Interact District 5160 s
Environmental Protection & Sustainability
Service Project Archive
Interact’s service project for 2023-2024 was the PAANI project. With over 20 thousand wells built, and 2.5 million meals served the PAANI project works to provide water aid, emergency aid, and disaster relief in Pakistan. Their goal is, “to not only provide temporary relief where we can, but to work toward building permanent solutions against the most complex problems that countries like Pakistan are facing. We strive to combine evidence-based initiatives with cultural competency to ensure that community members feel comfortable and empowered in our presence.” We are proud to have partnered with them.
During 2022-2023 Interact partnered with Planned Parenthood as their service project of the year. Planned parenthood fights to protect access to sexual and reproductive health care and education. Their motto is “Care, no matter what.” Having over 600 health centers across the country, their goal is to serve all patients with care, compassion, respect, and without any judgment. Interact is proud to have partnered with them.
During 2021-2022 Interact’s service project was Best Buddies a non-profit organization that gives the chance of friendship and a fuller life to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Their mission is “to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.” Impacting over 691 thousand lives in over 50 countries and counting, we are more than happy to integrate this project with Interact.
Amnesty International acts as one of the leading international organizations championing human rights for people all across the world. For more than 50 years, it has fought for refugees, migrants, climate change, assisting those in armed conflict, among other pressing world issues, limiting oppression globally. Today, 7 million people internationally participate in its operations throughout in 159 countries and territories. District 5160 is proud to support this organization in their cause!
For 50 years, the EDF has worked in four continents to achieve cleaner energy, safer environmental living conditions, and to protect ecosystems and oceans around the world. Through research and implementation, the Environmental Defense Fund has made significant steps towards preserving these important natural systems, and Interact District 5160 is honored to be a part of this mission!
The earth’s wildlife faces an enormous threat to its biodiversity. Within the last 40 years, the Earth has lost 52% if its biodiversity. Within this time frame, the human population has nearly doubled. Due to global population growth and economic growth, our most precious species’ ecosystems are being damaged constantly. Founded in 1895, the Wildlife Conservation Society focuses on protecting biodiversity hotspots where many species are at risk of endangerment and even extinction. The Wildlife Conservation is established in 60 countries and targets 240 protected regions. Under its 2020 strategy plan, WCS aims to focus on these protected biodiversity hotspots and expand its conservation field programs at various zoos, aquariums, and natural habitats. With the help of both Interactors and Rotarians of District 5160, we can fulfill our goal to conserve the Earth’s biodiversity and protect our wildlife that are at risk!
Interact District Council 5160 is proud to present [the 2016-2017] district project: PolioPlus. Polio, also known as poliomyelitis, is a highly infectious disease caused by a virus. The virus can be transmitted from person to person, or by a common vehicle such as, contaminated water or food. It invades the nervous system, and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Over 350,000 people have been affected by Polio and while incurable, there are vaccinations to prevent the disease from spreading. [For 2016-2017], District Council 5160 [asked] you and your local Rotary Club to join our efforts to raise funds for PolioPlus. Your support [provided] Polio immunizations to children and families around the world and help eradicate Polio. If financial donations are not feasible, raising awareness about the PolioPlus would be appreciated.
[For 2015-2016], the Interact service project [was] One Million Lights, an organization based in Palo Alto, California. One Million Lights’ mission is to improve the daily lives of children and adults by providing clean and healthy lighting. Their first initiative is in the area of solar lighting, with a focus on education. They provide clean, safe, affordable solar lighting to rural communities around the world through their international distribution programs, made possible by partnerships and donations. These solar lights enable children to study at night and adults to extend their workday, all while eliminating carbon emissions, improving household health, and greatly increasing income savings.
[For 2014-2015], the Interact service project will be donating to a California based organization called the Camellia Network. With 80 foster youth aging out every day, the Camellia Network connects youth to individuals and companies that can provide much needed financial and emotional support. The Camellia Network was founded in 2010 by friends Isis Dallis Keigwin and Vanessa Diffenbaugh, the latter being a foster mother herself. In 2011, these two women, along with the help of early investors, launched a very successful pilot program, laying the groundwork for the soon-to-be Camellia Network. This organization provides foster youth who have aged out of the foster care system a unique way to connect to individuals and companies who can provide support and even career opportunities.
