Rotary presented $1705 to Our Neighbors' Place for the backpack program at Tuesday's meeting. Scott Morrissette led the effort, and members contributed enough for 114 backpacks. Rotary funds provide the program with food during the holiday season.
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Be a part of the "End Polio Now" effort. (more) You or your organization can make a difference in eradicating this devastating disease by contributing to Rotary International.
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Madeline Uraneck is an educator and writer who has visited sixty-four countries through her role as International Education Consultant for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, several Peace Corps assignments, and her passion for world travel. She greeted the group with "tashi deleke," which translates to "auspicious blessings." Madeline, along with Tenzin Tamdin, a former Tibetan refugee who immigrated to the U.S., shared their wonderful story of friendship with the club.
Dr. Nate Schurman, (right) Greenwood Elementary Principal and District Safety Director, spoke to the club about how the district is responding to the changing concept of school safety.
Carole Mottaz, Board Chair of the St. Croix Valley chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin and River Falls Rotarian, is shown with the Events Manager, Paula Skoviera and Program Manager, Nate Schorr. St. Croix Valley has recently changed their business model, closing the office in Hudson so that Paula and Nate can work remotely. Carole opened a used sporting goods store called Sporting World in August to raise funds for St. Croix Valley BBBS on N. Main Street, River Falls.
Phoenix and Lionheart, two representatives from the Great Rivers chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA), provided a quick overview of how BACA works with law enforcement and the community to provide safety and security to kids who’ve experienced the horrors of abuse.
With more than 289 chapters internationally, (seven in Wisconsin), BACA’s intent is to create a safer environment for abused children.
“We exist as a body of Bikers to empower children to not feel afraid of the world in which they live,” said Phoenix. “We stand ready to lend support to our wounded friends by involving them with an established, united organization.”
BACA works in conjunction with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. It desires to send a clear message to all involved with the abused child that this child is part of our organization, and that we are prepared to lend our physical and emotional support to them by affiliation, and our physical presence.
