We derive great pleasure from giving back

Rotary International is a service organization known worldwide for its "Service Above Self" philosophy, the Four Way Test and its "End Polio Now" initiative to eradicate this crippling disease. The organization has more than 1.2 million members – known as Rotarians – in over 32,000 Rotary clubs worldwide who work together toward the development of a stronger sense of humanity and volunteer service.

Orlando is known as the family vacation capital of the world, and the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista serves as the host community for Rotary members visiting our city, its theme parks and more than 100 attractions.

The Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista was founded in 1972, soon after Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom theme park was inaugurated that same year. The club was chartered with the intention of becoming the official Rotary makeup location for Rotarians traveling to the Orlando area on their family vacations. Since that year, the club has enjoyed a continuous stream of visitors who come to the Disney area for both leisure and business travel.

A unique feature of the club is that it is the only civic organization granted the privilege and honor of wearing the iconic Mickey's ears in its Rotary badges and banners, an honor bestowed upon the club during the original charter in the early 1970s.

David Brinckerhoff has been very involved with the Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista ever since he was inducted as a member in May 2008. Since then he has served on the board as secretary, club operations chair and president-elect, and has completed his term as club president for 2011-2012.

If you are interested in Rotary or would like to learn more about it, please don't hesitate to contact David. The club meets every Thursday morning from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Lakeview Restaurant in the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Resort, 1850 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista, Florida. For more information and directions, visit www.rotarylbv.org.

Founded in 1916 to fight tuberculosis, the American Lung Association in Florida is the lead organization in the state working to improve lung health and prevent lung disease. Lung disease death rates continue to increase, while other leading causes of death have declined. The American Lung Association funds vital research on lung disease cures, provides education and support programs to both adults and children, and advocates for stronger air laws and tobacco prevention and education at the capital.

In Central Florida, the American Lung Association holds several events each year to raise awareness and money to help promote lung health and research for diseases. These events include:

• Cars for the Cure – Exotic car show in February at Colonial TownPark in Lake Mary, Florida.
• Fight for Air 5k Run/Walk – Walk or run around Lake Baldwin in Baldwin Park in Orlando in May to raise awareness for asthma and other lung diseases.
• Fight for Air Climb – A climb up the stairs of the Bank of America building in downtown Orlando in November to raise awareness for lung cancer and COPD.

David Brinckerhoff has learned to manage his asthma ever since he was a child. In 2008 he decided to get involved with the American Lung Association to help fight lung disease. He has been one of the top individual fundraisers for the Fight for Air Run/Walk event multiple times, has served on the planning committee for the event, and served as event chair in 2011. David has also served as the chair of the Orange County Advisory Board, secretary of the Central Area Advisory Board, and is currently the chair-elect for the Central Area Advisory Board.

If you would like more information about the American Lung Association, please don't hesitate to contact David or visit www.lungfla.org.

Angel Flight™ Southeast is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization of more than 650 volunteer pilots who utilize their own aircraft, fuel and time to provide free air transportation to medical facilities for citizens who are financially distressed or otherwise unable to travel on public transportation.

Angel Flight Southeast also coordinates missions to fly organ transplant candidates, people involved in clinical trials, chemotherapy or other repetitive treatment, victims of abuse seeking relocation, families receiving help from Ronald McDonald Houses, Shriners Hospitals and many other charities, disabled or sick children to special summer camp programs, and for many other humanitarian reasons. Angel Flight Southeast and its group of all-volunteer pilots fly more than 1,500 missions each year.

Allen Brinckerhoff has been a pilot for over 40 years and owns a Cessna 182. Allen has been flying missions for Angel Flight Southeast as often as he can since 1999. In addition to his Angel Flights, Allen has also served on the board of the Orlando Apopka Airport Association (OAAA), and is currently the representative for the OAAA to the West Orange Airport Authority.

If you would like more information about Angel Flight Southeast, you can contact Allen or visit www.angelflightse.org.