A number of Global Travelers have enjoyed traveling to Cuba over the past several years. Now the people of Cuba could use some help from travelers as well as all Rotarians. Hurricane Melissa did damage to many homes in Eastern Cuba, but more importantly the hurricane destroyed the 2025 rice crop that feeds thousands of people. (See the report from the Havana Times below.)
Cpt. Josh Polanco ( a member of Brooklyn Park Rotary) and Lt. Ramon Cebrian (a native Cuban) of The Salvation Army are working with Global Travelers member Nancy Laible to raise funds for food in support of The Salvation Army Rapid Response project in Cuba. Nancy has organized a challenge grant through a foundation where she is President (Murray County Future). The challenge grant will match donations up to $10,000. All funds raised will be transferred to the oversight of Lt. Cebrian, who will travel to Cuba in January to directly infuse the funding into the response effort. Donations received by December 20, 2025, will be matched as part of the challenge grant.
To contribute: Check Payee: Murray County FutureAmount: Your choiceMemo: Cuban Food Crisis Mail to: Nancy Laible, PresidentMurray County Future3146 Brookshire LaneNew Brighton, MN 55112 Murray County Future is a 501 c 3 Public Charity that will serve as fiscal agent. Federal Tax ID: 85-3097230.