Honoring Dr. Sandy Burkart

On Wednesday, March 13th, our world suffered an immeasurable loss, but heaven gained a most remarkable angel of compassion in the passing of Dr. Sandy Burkart.

Sandy L Burkart PT, OCS, Ph.D. was a retired West Virginia University Professor and Chairman of Physical Therapy. Dr. Burkart has been a Rotarian since 1990 and has been actively involved in Rotary Youth Exchanges, having hosted 41 youth and adult international exchanges. Dr. Burkart has participated in numerous Rotary International service projects, including a water project in Guatemala, the purchase of pediatric surgical instruments for St Anne’s Hospital in Zimbabwe, the building of a school in Swaziland, the funding of an educational media center in a Chinese orphanage, and raising college tuition for a special needs child from Guatemala.

Dr. Burkhart dedicated his time as a Rotarian working with Youth Exchange and International Service, where he was instrumental in introducing District 6930 to Youth and Peace in Action (YPA), a vital peace building, educational movement spanning across fifteen states, 300+ high schools, and more than 5,000 students in Sierra Leone, East Africa by students at Spanish River High School and Boca Raton High School as part of YPA. Spanish River High School raised funds to build a digital classroom to connect with the students of Bumpe High School, Sierra Leone.

Most Recently, Dr. Burkart worked closely with Sierra Leone Rising on several projects including raising funds to purchase solar lanterns to provide light for homes in Sierra Leone. The students worked alongside Princess Sarah Culberson, as well as her brother, Hindo, who has guided the projects in Sierra Leone. In addition to solar lanterns, Dr. Burkhart was spearheading a new project to bring hydroponics and aqua farming to the communities of Sierra Leone.

 
 

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