In case you missed it, the Rapids Sampler '17 is this Thursday, October 5th at the Bunker Hills Event Center, from 6PM to 9PM. The event will feature Alloy Brewing (Coon Rapids), 10K Brewing (Anoka), Lupulin Brewing (Big Lake), Omni Brewing (Maple Grove), Number 12 Cider House (Buffalo), Isanti Spirits (Isanti) and a late arrival: Summit Brewing (St. Paul). In addition there will be food sampling from the great kitchen at Kendall's Tavern and Chophouse. For more information and tickets, click here: Page/rapids-sampler
Cheri Keepers, School Relations Manager for Youth Frontiers will speak to Coon Rapids Rotary on October 2, 2017.
Youth Frontiers’ mission is to partner with schools to build communities where students thrive socially, emotionally and academically. They offer one-day retreats on timeless values like kindness, courage and respect for students in fourth–12th grades. Youth Frontiers also offers educator retreats to help schools support their educators and create cohesive teams all focused in a common direction: their students. Our guest speaker this week is Cheri Keepers, School Relations Manager for Youth Frontiers. Cheri came to Youth Frontiers in 2014 from the Twin Cities YMCA where she was a Camp Director for Camps Warren and Icaghowan. She has a heart for youth and community development and loves that at YF, “We get to be inspired and we get to inspire!” She is most inspired when communities come together to create positive change and social justice. She and her husband love watching their kids play soccer and ultimate frisbee, camping, swimming and enjoying Friday movie nights.
In 2016, Coon Rapids Rotary partnered with Coon Rapids High School and Youth Frontiers to sponsor a one-day Respect Retreat for all incoming 9th graders. The program had a powerful impact on these young people. The Club is participating again this fall. Come hear Cheri talk about the work she does with Youth Frontiers.
Heart Safe Coon Rapids - Training others to be the difference
Bryan Platz, Coon Rapids Police Officer and Heart Safe Coordinator for the City, spoke to Coon Rapids Rotary on September 25, 2017
Bryan Platz has trained a lot of people and the numbers tell quite a story: nearly 20,000 people in Coon Rapids have been trained in the use of hands-only CPR in last several years. 80 local businesses have participated in the training too. And the most important statistic: lives saved. There are at least 6 confirmed cases in Coon Rapids where someone was brought back to life after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest - their second chance came through efforts of someone else trained in the Heart Safe program. Bryan is also focused on training kids in the use of CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Every year between 4,000 and 8,000 kids die from a cardiac arrest, however training kids what to do is the first step in turning around those statistics. Bryan has been involved in the production of training videos, in fact the 3rd video “Saving Teddy” about the successful effort to resuscitate a Coon Rapids High School student, was shown during last Monday’s club meeting. Officer Platz has even been invited overseas to train other agencies in the Heart Safe program. Earlier this year, he returned from a 2nd trip to Worcester, England to provide additional training.
Paul Harris, Rotary founder working in a food plot in Chile in the 1930's. (Courtesy of Rotary International)
In straight forward terms, the Paul Harris fellowship is a big deal. Among notable Rotarians who have been bestowed with this special recognition: former President Jimmy Carter, U.S. astronaut James Lovell, UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar, and Dr. Jonas Salk, the man who developed the polio vaccine.
Who was Paul Harris?
Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago in February 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful, lifelong friendships, and give back though service to their communities.
What is a Paul Harris Fellowship?
The Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The honor was established in 1957 to show appreciation for contributions that support Rotary’s Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation grant.
2017 Paul Harris Fellowships
On September 25th, Club President Margie Rask and Club Administrator Dave McCauley announced the following recipients of the award: Mike Thorsland, Howard Helgen, Jerry Koch and Nick Bednarczyk. Congratulations to each recipient and for fulfilling the pledge of Service Above Self!
Special thanks to Don Lewis and Kent Hanson, who each gave recent classification talks. We gained new insights into each of their professions and personal lives. If you're interested in sharing a similar talk, contact Margie Rask.
At a recent Gopher Football game, the editor spotted the Rotary International flag flying high above Lot 37 near TCF Bank Stadium. There is a tradition in many tailgating lots to fly the flag/s of your favorite school, along with other symbols that make it easier for guests to find your tailgating "turf". This particular arrangement is actually the editor's: U of M alum, Case IH (as in the Case IH Redzone and family farming roots) and Rotary International. Suffice it to say the blue flag draws in many fellow Rotarians from far and wide. Send us your Rotary pictures when out and about.
