House approves resolution commending Rotary on relief efforts

As a natural disaster drawing the attention of the entire world to Japan and the Pacific Rim continued to unfold, Oklahoma House lawmakers today (Monday, March 21) approved a resolution to recognize the Bricktown Rotary. The civic group was holding a fundraiser tonight to aid Japan’s recovery from an 8.9 magnitude earthquake and its after effects. 


The fundraiser was slated from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday night at Rococo’s, N.W. 28th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue in Oklahoma City.

“The fundraiser will consist of local celebrities waiting on participants,” said state Rep. Joe Dorman, a Rush Springs Democrat. The restaurant is donating a percentage of its sales, along with the tips from the celebrities and any donations. I think it will be a great event.”

The celebrity list included: Miss Oklahoma Emoly West; Ron, Phil & Lauren from 96.9 BOB FM; Sarah Libby & Maggie Stokes from KOCO; Joleen Chaney & Adam Mertz from KFOR; Liz Dueweke & Jeff George from FOX 25; Oklahoma City Fire Department Assistant Chief (Ret.) and COFT Director Jon Hansen; Randy Cassimus, director of operations at KWTV.

Rotary District 5750, the Bricktown Rotary, has had an exchange with Japan Rotary District 2520, which encompasses northern Japan, for more than 30 years. Oklahoma students have stayed in Japanese homes and Oklahomans host Japanese students through the program. 

About a dozen Japanese students were scheduled to arrive in Oklahoma City on March 16. Some of those students have been missing since the earthquake, aftershocks, and subsequent tsunami. Dorman and others have been checking on the status of the students frequently in recent days.