Following the September 2017 hurricane in Puerto Rico, D7390 Rotarians donated $30,386 specifically for Puerto Rico. Over these many months we have searched for a project that met our requirements for documentation and credibility. We have located such a project and are excited that your donations will benefit many.

Begun as a lending library by community activist Jane Stern in 1974, the Jane Stern Dorado Community Library in Puerto Rico quickly became a bilingual learning center for language, literacy and after-school programs as a 501C (3) non-profit corporation. The Library system emphasizes learning programs for adults, teens and children; early education play areas with books and toys; computers and reliable internet access for digital resources. They serve as school libraries during the day, and are open to the surrounding communities from 3:00pm to 6:00pm.

The D7390 donation will support operating expenses for two of the Program’s satellite libraries in Toa Baja and in Mameyal that were forced to move to new facilities following the hurricane. Our contribution will provide operating funds for the 2019-2020 school year and the first semester of 2020-2021.
The Jane Stern Library was awarded The U.S. Library of Congress Literacy Award in 2019 for implementation of best practices in literacy promotion. The Library was also a finalist for the U.S. National Medal for Museum and Library Service; IMLS awards high honors to institutions that make significant and exceptional contributions to their communities.

The Library will keep us posted on their activities and will give us Major Sponsor recognition at the Library’s main entrance and at every event. We will also be recognized through their website, social media, and print material. WE ARE INVITED TO THEIR GALA EVENT TO BE HELD ON MARCH 21, 2020 AT THE RITZ CARLTON RESERVE IN DORADO BEACH P.R. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, CONTACT PEG SENNETT (pegsennett@hotmail.com) FOR MORE INFORMATION.