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In Nicaragua, many of residents have never been seen by an eye doctor during their lifetime, and a pair of prescription eyeglasses could cost 6 months wages. Learn about how this River Falls family’s experience of providing free eyeglasses has provided a great impact to  Nicaraguan community members.

The River Falls Public Montessori will provide an overview of their experience at the Montessori Model United Nations program. This year-long after school program culminates with a two day global education simulation experience in Chicago that enables students in grades 5 and 6 to learn about the operations of the United Nations and its role as the world's largest international peacekeeping and humanitarian organization.

River Falls Gymnastics Club is organized for the purpose of promoting gymnastics classes for the surrounding area and to find or build a facility to stabilize the program.  It is further the purpose to aid youth who participate in this sport in the improvement and development of skills, to teach and promote physical, mental and moral development, to teach a sense of fair and honest competition, resulting in good sportsmanship.

Cristo Rey RC is a pre-k to grade 8 public school (enrollment approximately 180) in Cayo District, Western Belize. The school is located in Cristo Rey village (population approximately 1,000). The school prepares children for the high school in San Ignoacio town, about 8 miles away. The school and the students have many needs including classroom supplies, printers, chairs and tables.

With the support of River Falls Rotary Club members donating $1,296 from designated "Happy Bucks" collected during weekly meetings, Ed delivered many of these items when visiting the school in January 2018. Ed wishes to provide an overview of this trip while thanking the Club for their support.

Mental health and substance use issues have wide-reaching effects on people's education, employment, physical health, and relationships, which ripple into the communities we live in. Mental Health First Aid is a course that gives people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it does build mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. Dr. Amy offers training for others so they can identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders before problems become crises by offering support and linking professional resources.

The mission of Generation Rx is to educate people of all ages about the potential dangers of misusing prescription medications. In doing so, they strive to enhance medication safety among our youth, college students, other adults in our communities, and seniors. Prescription medications can help us live longer and healthier lives, but any medication has the potential to do harm – especially when misused.

Mike was born in Rochester, Minnesota and joined Greater Rochester Rotary in 2002. He has served the club on every board position with the exception of Secretary/Treasurer and was club president 2010-2011. Currently he is the District Governor elect, past Tech Team Chairperson for District 5960, STRIVE Co-Chair for the Rochester clubs, Board member of NCPETS, Vocational co-chair of Greater Rochester, member of the District 5960 Visioning Training Team, Technical Chair for NCPETS.

Mike and Nancy have been foster parents for over twenty years and have been “foster parents” to 82 children. In 2005 they were awarded the honor of Foster Parents of the Year by Olmsted County. Mike and Nancy have served on the Parents board for the Foster Care Association and have been invited speakers to the International Shaken Baby Conference. Mike has served on his church’s Board of Directors for seven years and is a past Chairperson of that committee. 

Currently he is with First American Staff Appraisals as a Senior Appraiser and trainer, was the past owner of Becker Appraisals, a real estate appraisal firm since 2005. Has owned another appraisal firm and has been in the same business since 1991. He is an affiliated member of the Appraisal Institute and is a classroom instructor in the field. He currently serves as a board member of the Southeast Minnesota Association of Realtors MLS board and is Treasurer of the First Homes board of the Rochester Area Foundation.  Mike is an ongoing student of the profession and has logged over 1,000 hours of education time and credits.

Mike has been married to his lovely wife Nancy for 42 years and has always resided in Rochester. They have five children, Beth, Robin, Marc, Brian and Nykkole. They have ten grandchildren all under the age of nine.