Rotarians and Quotarians joined forces to clean and prep books for the Cops N Kids Reading Program at our May Service Project. Volunteers cleaned, labeled, and stickered more than 530 books in just one hour.

 

 

We gathered at the Iowa City Airport on May 4 for a sendoff party with Rotary West member Peter Teahen and Iowa City's John Ockenfels (pictured with their wives Janet and Deb) for their Flight To End Polio.

 

Peter and John took off the next morning for their three-month round-the-world flight which we hope will raise $1 Million for Rotary's polio vaccination and education program. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is giving a 2:1 match for every dollar donated.

 

You can track their progress at flighttoendpolio.com/ or using the FlightAware app. Enter the plane's tail number, N732WP.

West Rotary's April service project was at HACAP in Hiawatha. Volunteers sorted food and checked expiration dates. We enjoyed playing a part in HACAP's meaningful work!

 

We had a great turnout for our "Be Our Guest" event at the Cedar Rapids Economic Alliance. We meet all kinds of cool new people, and heard a preview of the new CityView High School from principal Dan Devore, as well as updates from two of our charity partners, Ruth White from the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Achievement, and Al O'Bannon from the LBA Foundation. Thanks to everyone who joined us!

 

Our March service project was at Central Furniture Rescue, a local nonprofit that collects basic furniture and household items to provide to those transitioning from homelessness into their own homes. We cleaned and sorted a variety of donated items so they could be distributed and make someone's home happier and more comfortable.

 

If you want to serve your community and have fun while doing it, hit the Contact Us button to learn more about Rotary West!

West Rotary's January service project was at Eight Days of Hope, an organization which provides rapid response service to communities in need. Eight Days of Hope came to Cedar Rapids originally to help after the 2008 flood, and now has a permanent Cedar Rapids satellite office. It was especially fun to have former CR West member, Gary Pribyl, tell us about this great organization.  

 

Two education charities that primarily serve students of color received $12,000 from Cedar Rapids West Rotary to further their missions. The Academy for Personal and Scholastic Success and the Learners Believers Achievers Foundation received proceeds from West Rotary's Big Drop fundraiser, along with a matching grant from American Family Insurance.

 

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Ruth White, Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success, Rotary President Janette Fiedler, Al O'Bannon, Leaders Believers Achievers Foundation, Brandon Bieri, American Family Insurance, Charles Kudej, American Family Insurance and Big Drop committee member.

Each year, Rotary West awards scholarships to one student from each Cedar Rapids and Marion-area school to attend Kirkwood Community College. The 2022 Rotary West scholarship recipients are:

 

Gabriela Hovey - Cedar Valley Christian

Every year, Rotary West asks area high school administrators to nominate an outstanding educator for the Rotary Teacher Appreciation Award. We hosted principals and teachers on May 4 from Jefferson, Kennedy, Linn-Mar, Metro, Marion, Prairie, and Washington. Getting to meet these exemplary teachers and hear about their hard work and dedication to students is one of our favorite events of the year.

 

 

Rotary West, with the help of a District Matching Grant and sponsorship from West Music, has placed a Piano Lab in the Orchestra Iowa School. There are now six keyboards in the lab, with equipment that allows the teacher to work individually with a student using headphones, even in a group class. Education Director Myron McReynolds (pictured, with Penny Olson and President Matt Teply) says the first session with students has been completed, and several of the young people have decided to continue piano lessons!

 

Thanks to West Music, District 5970, and Penny Olson, who spearheaded the project.

The Big Drop, Rotary West's fundraiser to benefit the Four Oaks Achievement Academy and the Rotary West Kirkwood Scholarship Fund, will take place Aug. 7 at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market. Grand Prize is $3,000. Buy your balls at www.TheBigDropCR.com or from any Rotary West member. Know someone who needs Balls? Send them the link!

 

 

Rotary West is now meeting in person! Join us Wednesdays at 12noon in the beautiful National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library. Plenty of free, indoor parking, too!

 

Rotary meetings will also be live-streamed over Zoom until further notice.

Rotary West members gathered in person for the first time in many months on April 21, and took advantage of cool, but clear weather to have some socially-distanced fellowship and help Indian Creek Nature Center with a little spring cleanup. It was so good to see each other's smiling faces! Thanks to Jane Schlegel for organizing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few of the many cards sent by Van Buren Elementary students to say thanks for West Rotary's continued involvement with their school. Even though we can't be with them physically right now, our club has purchased winter coats, school supplies and other materials to make their days better.

A little thing like a pandemic didn't stop Rotary West from its annual project of bell ringing for the Salvation Army! Club members staffed the bell station at the Wilson Avenue Hy-Vee on November 21.

West Rotarians recently raised funds to buy 24 coats for students at Van Buren Elementary in Cedar Rapids. Many of the kids who attend the school don't have proper cold weather gear.

James Nelson presented the coats to Van Buren's Jan Hanks.

 

 

The Big Drop will take place at 10am September 5. Ping Pong ball sales have been closed.

 

Watch this page and the Rotary West Facebook Page for video of the fun! Good to luck to everyone who bought balls, and thanks for helping Rotary care for the kids served by HACAP and Van Buren School.

Rotary meetings are temporarily suspended as Cedar Rapids recovers from the devastating derecho storm that has destroyed hundreds of homes, thousands of trees, and shredded the electric grid.

 

Watch this space and your email to learn when our Zoom meetings will resume.

Rotary West meets over Zoom on Wednesdays.