Our Rotary neighbors in District 5080 are facing a historic disaster.
Devastating wildfires are impacting communities across Spokane County, Stevens County, and British Columbia. Thousands of people have been displaced, homes and property have been lost, and communities are facing a long road of cleanup and recovery.
And when our Rotary neighbors need us, we answer the call.
District 5080 has established its Disaster Relief Fund to support the cleanup and recovery efforts that will be needed in the weeks, months, and even years ahead.
The easiest way to help right now is to make a donation directly through District 5080 at District5080.org. Donations to the District 5080 Disaster Relief Fund will help Rotarians respond where the need is greatest.
There is also an opportunity to serve.
Disaster Aid USA is already on the ground in the Spokane area preparing to assist with cleanup efforts, and volunteers are needed. Dan Crawford, a Rotarian from the Coeur d’Alene Friday Club and a leader with Disaster Aid USA, is coordinating the Rotary disaster response.
And District 5030 is already answering the call!
Through funding from Rotary International and our District 5030 Disaster Relief Fund, we purchased a fully equipped Disaster Response Trailer for Disaster Aid USA to be based here in District 5030. Just a few days ago, I received word that our new trailer was finished and ready for us.
Instead of simply making plans to bring “our” trailer home to Western Washington, my Chief of Staff, Mike Chapman, asked a much more important question: Is it needed in Spokane?
Dan Crawford’s answer was an immediate yes!
So our brand-new District 5030 Disaster Response Trailer isn’t coming home just yet. It is being deployed where it is needed most—to help our Rotary neighbors in District 5080.
That is Rotary in action.
If you are able to volunteer, visit volunteer.disasteraidusa.org and select:
“Northwest Fires Rotary 5080 Volunteer Opportunity.”
We show up for our communities. We show up for one another. And when disaster strikes our neighbors, district boundaries simply don’t matter.
Rotarians are family. When our neighbors need help, we answer the call.
Thank you, District 5030, for once again demonstrating what Service Above Self looks like when it matters most.
Patricia Chapman
District Governor 2026–2027
Rotary District 5030
