Partner in Focus

Heart to Heart International would not have been the same organization today, if not for Rotary International.

The idea of Heart to Heart sprouted after a discussion about international work at a local Rotary Club meeting in Olathe, Kansas. The organization was formally born in 1992 as plans materialized for a large shipment of medical aid to Russia.

Rotary International and many of its 1.2 million members around the world helped us take strategic steps in those early years. Local clubs throughout the greater Kansas City area, across the nation and in numerous countries around the world continue to join us in disaster response, healthcare initiatives, water and sanitation projects, and other humanitarian efforts. Rotarians have supported Heart to Heart financially, sponsored our special events, advocated on behalf of our partnership projects, and traveled with us to do a variety of hands-on relief work.

The Rotary motto—“Service above Self”—is ingrained in the culture of Heart to Heart and remains a character trait of our staff, starting at the top with our CEO, Jon D. North, who is member of the Olathe Rotary Club.

Recently, Heart to Heart and Rotary International formed a partnership to bring clean water and adequate sanitation to underserved regions in Guatemala.

In October, Heart to Heart recognized this longstanding partnership by honoring Rotary International with the Heart for Humanity Award.

READ the press release

In May 2009, Heart to Heart will lead a project team exclusively for Rotarians to the Sololá region of Guatemala.