Newsletter September 22 (Sep 22, 2020)

Last Week's Meeting and Future Events

Many thanks to Mike doing the news, Janette presenting the invocation, pledge and 4way test, and to Charles for leading us in song.

Please continue to save HyVee receipts, boxtops, and printer cartridges for Van Buren. Until we meet again, you can mail them to Kim if you desire and she will get them to the school.

Eric Engelmann gave a great presentation on his family's trip around the world. While it was not an 80 day balloon trip with Phileas Fogg, it was a lifechanging experience for them. They soon learned that traveling light (a backpack and one roller suitcase per person) was necessary when moving every 3-4 days. Starting in Costa Rica, Eric, his wife and two kids traveled through Hawaii, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, England, Scotland, mainland Europe, and Iceland before returning to the USA. Fortunately the trip took place before COVID so they felt safe everywhere they went.

This week's speaker is Myrna Johnson speaking to us about Iowa Public Radio 2020.

Take care and stay safe. Larry

As a reminder please signup for the Cedar Lake Metro project on October 10. Additional information is in the flyer below.

The Sunrise Club is sponsoring a blood drive on September 24th. Further details are in last week's bulletin!

The Metro North Club has invited us to two important meetings coming up. Ashley Hinson (October 1) and Abby Finkenauer (October 15) are scheduled to be their speakers. Ashley Hinson (Republican) is running against incumbent Abby Finkenauer (Democrat) in Iowa’s 1st congressional district in the November general election. You are welcome to ask questions in advance of their presentations. Please forward these to nvriezelaar@kerndtbrothers.com at least 3 days prior to their scheduled times. You can join them on these Thursdays at 11:30 AM-12:30 PM via Zoom. If interested, please contact me and I can get you the zoom information.

Rotary Distributes $10,000 from Big Drop

Club Distributes Proceeds from “The Big Drop” Fundraiser

Larry Kudej, Cedar Rapids Rotary West president, presented $5,000 checks this week HACAP and Van Buren elementary.

"Rotary's motto is Service Above Self,” Kudej says. “Cedar Rapids Rotary West takes that to heart when it comes to fundraising to help kids. With the realities of COVID and the derecho impacting our kids, we believe both Van Buren and HACAP can put the money we have raised to good use."

Amy Evans, Van Buren principal, says the funds will be used to purchase items like yoga mats so students can be comfortable learning outside, and other materials to facilitate learning within the new rules brought about by the pandemic.

Jan Hanks, volunteer coordinator at Van Buren, says the partnership between the school and Rotary West is truly special. “(Rotary has) really come through for us all these years and made the impossible, possible! By partnering with Van Buren, they aid in breaking through many inequities related to socioeconomic status and are contributing to our goal for ALL of our students to flourish equally.”

The funds awarded to HACAP will go to support the organization’s food programs for children.

Sharon Laird of Cedar Rapids was the lucky grand prize winner, and walks away with $3,000.