May 14, 2009
Rotarians Lon and Helen Penna providing community service locally

Rotarians Lon and Helen Penna from Rotary Club of Glenville, Rotary International District 7190, New York, USA) spent a busy day in Lahore. They visited Government Lucklines Primary School and saw the vocational center where ten sewing machines were donated through one of The Rotary Foundation Matching Grants sponsored by Rotary Club of Glenville and Rotary Club of Lahore Garrison. They, along with District Governor 2010-11 Shehzad Ahmed, participated in the health and hygiene awareness campaign by informing the students about the use of ORS, washing hands before eating, importance of vaccination and about spread of diseases by eating food available in unhygienic environment. They also distributed specially designed notebooks giving the same messages through sketches. Later, they visited Aabroo Education Welfare Organization school where Rotary has provided computers and books through Matching Grants. They distributed notebooks carrying health and hygiene messages among the students after interacting with them. The notebooks were provided through Matching Grant no. 51814.

Later, they visited Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled (PSRD) where Rotary has provided funds for artificial limbs for the poor. Rotarians Iqbal Malik also accompanied them during their visits. Lon and Helen have been instrumental in initiating numerous community service projects in Pakistan. Lon is the Assistant Governor and Helen is the Assistant District Secretary of Rotary District 7190. Rotary Club of Lahore Garrison and Rotary Club of Glenville are sister clubs and have adopted Kujer and surrounding villages in Sheikhupura where Matching Grants have been provided for basic necessities to the government elementary schools, computer lab, community library, ambulance and sewing center for Kujer village in Sheikhupura. Computer centers and vocational centers have also been set up in more than ten villages and settlements through Rotary Community Corps set up in these areas.