Dear DG Rick
I was very sorry to hear of the news of the devastating explosion at the fertiliser plant in West, Texas with the fatalities, injuries, damage to homes, infrastructure and therefore widespread effect on the community. Knowing the number of injuries compared to the population of the city, I am sure that has had a devastating impact on the whole community with probably every family affected directly in some way.
I was going to ask if you were going to have a District 5870 / District Governor fund or project in response to help the community, but found the answer in your message on the District 5870 website.
 
On that basis I have had a proposal approved by our club board last night to make a donation of $1000 to your District fund. I found I am unable to access the online payment method here at work, but will probably be able to do so from home tonight.
I know this may be a small gesture from a small Rotary Club, however the board and members of the Rotary Club of Booragoon (District 9465) would like to take this opportunity to extend the hand of friendship in support of your District and the community of West, Texas. We know that the Rotary clubs in Texas and the United States of America are generally net supporters of projects elsewhere in the world (similar to Australian clubs) and take this as an opportunity to give something back in support of your local community. We know that the Rotary Clubs of your District and probably surrounding Districts will play a great part in support of this community in responding to the disaster and the rebuilding which will no doubt follow.
Although our team did not visit West, our path during our Group Study Exchange (GSE) last year crossed very close to the area. This is a simple opportunity for us to demonstrate the value of friendships developed from the Group Study Exchange GSE program, express our thanks for the great hospitality received from District 5870 and all the Rotarians and families that we came into contact with during our visit.
We wish you great success in your support of the community of West and my thoughts and those of the members of the Rotary Club of Booragoon are with you.
Yours in Rotary
Steve Coady
District 9465 GSE Team Leader (2012)