To give you folks an idea of what this Choir Week in Salzburg, Austria includes:

Monday, June 21 - Leave from Houston, Texas.

Tuesday, June 22 – Arrive Munich, Germany. Bus to Salzburg, Austria.  Depending upon arrival time, potential visit to Schloss Hellbrunn, home to the iconic gazebo featured in The Sound of Music and its famous trick fountains, which have entertained guests for centuries. Late afternoon Salzburg hotel check-in with time to relax and freshen up.  Welcome dinner included, followed by overnight.

Wednesday, June 23 - Full buffet breakfast included at the hotel (no motor coach service included this day) Walk into downtown Salzburg for a guided sightseeing tour, including Mirabell Palace and Gardens, Mozart Square, the Salzburg Cathedral (Dom), admission to Mozart's Birthplace (now a museum dedicated to the composer's life and legacy), and a cable car ride to the Fortress, where you'll enjoy unparalleled views over the city below. [Lunch, on your own.] Enjoy your afternoon for shopping in downtown Salzburg or additional sightseeing with your Tour Manager Evening dinner included, and overnight.

Thursday, June 24 - Full buffet breakfast included at the hotel (no motor coach service included this day). Enjoy additional free walking sightseeing this morning with your Tour Manager. Depending on time and group interests, options may include the charming Linzergasse, the scenic Kapuzinerberg, and other local highlights Festival Welcome Lunch included.

Afternoon Festival Choir Rehearsal  [Evening dinner included].

Evening Festival Choir Rehearsal  [Return to your hotel for overnight].

Friday, June 25 - Full buffet breakfast included at the hotel (no motor coach service included this day). 

Morning Festival Choir Rehearsal  [Lunch, on your own].

Afternoon at leisure with time for shopping or additional sightseeing. [Evening dinner included].

Evening Festival Choir Dress Rehearsal with Orchestra [Return to the hotel for overnight.]

Saturday, June 26 - Full buffet breakfast included at the hotel (no motor coach service included this day). Morning additional free walking sightseeing with Tour Manager or more free time for shopping.

Lunch, on your own. Afternoon time for continued shopping or sightseeing with your Tour Manager. Evening farewell dinner included.

Jubilate Mozart! Festival Finale Concert [Late evening return to the hotel for overnight.]

Sunday, June 27 - Full buffet breakfast included at the hotel, followed by check-out. Board a chartered motor coach for morning transfer to the Munich Airport for your return flight to Texas. Your transatlantic flight will include meal service and in-flight entertainment. Arrive home to Texas, the same day as your departure from Munich, Germany.

THE TOTAL PRICE FOR THIS TRIP DEPENDS ON THE TOTAL NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATE!  CONSIDER THE PRICE TO BE ABOUT $5000, WITH BILL OWENS NEEDING YOUR RESERVATION & HALF OF THE TOTAL BY THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER. PRICE INCLUDES AIRFARE FROM HOUSTON TO MUNICH, TRANSPORTATION TO & FROM SALZBURG, AND AT LEAST ONE MEAL PER DAY.

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UPDATE #8

During the past 56 days, 216 Rotarians representing 38 clubs (both are new highs) have pledged a total of $122,798 to the match.  In keeping with DG Jeff's campaign to Be Better Than Our Best, we need to raise another $46,900 over the next 4 weeks to surpass our previous high water mark.

 Significantly, 152 of our 216 contributors (70%) have either become a first-time Paul Harris Fellow (35) or reached a new Paul Harris Fellow level (117) by virtue of their contribution and its match.  Congratulations!

 Leader Board (as of September 25):

 Continuing our trend over the past 5 weeks, two more clubs (Bastrop County in 7th place and Harker Heights in 25th place) have joined the Leader Board. 

 Every club with a minimum contribution amount of $1,000 is included on the Leader Board.

• 1st place:  Georgetown with 32 donors and a contribution amount of $23,843
• 2nd place:  Temple with 18 donors and a contribution amount of $13,500.
• 3rd place:  Killeen Heights with 15 donors and a contribution amount of $11,100.   
• 4th  place:  Marble Falls with 15 donors and a contribution amount of $9,664.
• 5th place:  Austin  with 11 donors and a contribution amount of $4,810.
• 6th  place:  Waco with 9 donors and a contribution amount of $4,348
• 7th  place:  Bastrop County with 3 donors and a contribution amount of $4,200. 
• 8th  place:  Temple-South with 6 donors and a contribution amount of $4,160
• 9th  place:  Corsicana with 6 donors and a contribution amount of $3,962.
• 10th  place:  Northwest Austin with 8 donors and a contribution amount of $3,805.
• 11th  place (tie):  Pflugerville with 7 donors and a contribution amount of $3,250.  

If you're one of the 216 who has already contributed, thank you so very much for your generous contribution.  If you haven't contributed yet, please consider doing so. It's your annual contribution to this fund that ensures District 5870 has the wherewithal to fund community DAP Grants, career and technology scholarships, district service projects and international humanitarian grants.  None of this would be possible without your generous support.

As a refresher, here's how the match works:

 Using Rotary Foundation Recognition Points, we will match your $250 to $500 cash contribution to the Annual Fund-SHARE on a 1-to-1 basis for any active Rotarian or Rotaractor in District 5870 who is not yet a Paul Harris Fellow +8. 

 Please note: 

• These matches are limited to one per donor and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• The match may end early if we exhaust the match pool prior to October 31.
• Match requests received after 5 pm October 31, 2026 will not be accepted.

Here’s how it works:          

 1.  Before making an eligible contribution, please contact me via email at richkaye@hot.rr.com and let us know how much you intend to contribute. 

 2.  Send your contribution directly to TRF using either The Rotary Foundation Contribution Form (123-en) or going on-line at my.rotary.org/en/donate.  A copy of the Foundation Contribution Form is attached to this email.  If you elect to contribute online, be sure to sign into My Rotary before doing so. Once the contribution appears on your record, we will submit the match. 

 There are a few exceptions.  Please note that this program will not match:

       1.  Contributions from anyone who is already a PHF+8 or higher at the time the contribution is made.

       2.  Contributions made to any fund other than the Annual Fund-Share (i.e. PolioPlus, Disaster Response, Endowment Fund, Rotary Peace Centers, and Global Grants).  While these contributions are both appreciated and important, they fall outside the parameters of this program. 

       3.  Foundation Recognition Point transfers.

 If applicable, please provide me with the mailing address to which you want your recognition pin mailed.

Respectfully,

 Rich Kaye

 Past District Governor, 2013-14

Chair, District Annual Fund Subcommittee

 254-291-4890 (Cell)