Rotarian's passage to India

During her recent trip to India, Janice Klein of San Antonio handed out everything from polio vaccinations to mittens and hats and lent support to vision and hearing clinics. She rode a camel and wore a sari. And she did it all in the name of community service.

"This trip wasn't about me," she said. "The joy I get is from giving help to others."

Klein, secretary-elect of the San Antonio Rotary Club, traveled to India from Feb. 4 through 21 as a part of Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign. She paid for her trip to the foreign country, with a little help from the Internal Revenue Service.

"I read about the India trips in the Rotary International newsletter, and it sounded like a good thing to do for other people, to reach out and give of my time. I just wasn't sure how I could afford it," said Klein. "I committed to the trip, then got a call from my accountant 15 minutes later, telling me I got a big tax refund."

During her trip, Klein traveled with a group of Rotarians to small, remote Indian villages to help with the distribution of immunization packets, mittens and hats to needy children.

"The people there are so happy, and they have nothing," she said. "They would always come to us smiling, laughing and waving. It was a very warm reception."

Aside from interacting with the Indian people, Klein enjoyed Indian meals that featured lamb, eggs, and red beans and rice. She heard performances of native Indian music, and got the opportunity to ride a camel and wear a sari, an example of native Indian garb.

The trip also came complete with its share of challenges. Her group witnessed several political demonstrations, none of them violent, and took seven-hour bus trips with no rest stops.

"Some of our hotels had leaky toilets and holes in the shower," she said. "It was hard to get our clothes cleaned."

Klein said that she and the other travelers took all challenges in stride. "Nobody cared," she said.

For Klein, her involvement in PolioPlus is the latest in a long line of community service projects for the longtime Rotarian.

She also has joined the club's efforts to support Morningstar Fishermen; Farmworkers Self-Help Inc.; Love One Another (a locally based effort to feed the needy); Toys for Tots; Projects of Pasco school supply drive; American Cancer Society Relay for Life; Sunrise Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center; Spay Pasco; and other efforts.

She also is an emergency first responder in this area, helping to respond to 911 calls before professional emergency personnel reach the scene, and conducts prison ministries at the Land O' Lakes Jail.

Klein passed her love for community service onto her children, Ryan, John and Arizona Cardinal kicker Jay Feely. A fourth son, Michael, died nine years ago.

"Jay donated $2,000 to PolioPlus," she said.

Klein, herself. was an athlete in school, who swam and played volleyball, basketball and tennis. Yet she counts giving as her favorite adrenaline-inducing activity.

"Sports never gave me the same type of high as giving has," she said.

And according to fellow Rotarian Bob Loring, Klein's charitable efforts are more than worthwhile.

"Janice is a wonderful person with a joy of life, who enjoys giving back to the community," he said. "She is a gift to our organization."

SAN ANTONIO ROTARY

SOME BACKGROUND: Janice Klein, secretary-elect with the San Antonio Rotary Club, recently represented Rotary International's PolioPlus campaign in India and helped out at Rotary vision and hearing clinics.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: According to a Rotary International information sheet, Rotarians contributed more than $700 million and numerous volunteer hours to immunize more than 2 billion children in 122 countries since 1985.

A LITTLE HISTORY: Rotary International, founded in 1905, was the world's first volunteer service organization. Boasting more than 1.2 million members, Rotary has 33,114 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas.

GET INVOLVED: Overseen by President Betty Burke, San Antonio Rotary meets noon each Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Golf and Country Club, 10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive. Call (352) 588-9827.