February is the only month to have fewer than 30 days! This year, it is 28 because it is not a Leap year, but in 2024, February will have 29 days. The February calendar is filled with celebrations from Groundhog Day on the 2nd to Ash Wednesday on the 22nd. In between some will celebrate the Super Bowl, two President’s Birthdays and Valentine’s Day. From what I read, prior to 450 BC, February was the last month of the year. Who knew? I hope you will get out there and join in some of the festivities of the month while thinking about how we can make our communities and world a better place.
We are more than half way through our Rotary Year 2022-2023 and recently Rotary International’s President- Elect, R. Gordon R. McInally, announced his Presidential Theme to “Create Hope in the World”. He spoke at Rotary International at an Assembly for incoming District Governors in Orlando, Florida. They emphasized the need to promote peace in nations in conflict. His goal is to restore hope. He sees hope as a way to emphasize peace, but says peace won’t come without making humanitarian relief a priority. He expressed continued work is needed with the Empowering Girls initiative, with an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion, and the eradication of polio.
We need to help raise money each year to receive the full $50 million match from Bill and Melinda Gates. Currently only 1 in 12 members are donating with fewer than 1 in 5 clubs. We have almost eradicated polio but we are not there yet and we must address it with greater urgency. He also addressed a need to focus on mental health, which has only grown since Covid and says Rotary will improve services for mental health in the future.
Rotary helps create a more peaceful world. And that is exactly what our world needs! Diane Van Epps, President
MARY FREE BED DETAILS - FEB. 2 RSVP TO dncn820@sbcglobal.net or Text 616-540-5903
Mary Free Bed Professional Office Building, Meijer Conference Center
350 Lafayette Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Parking: Use the free parking ramp directly south of 350 Lafayette Ave SE, labeled “C”. You may park on levels GL-5 and park in the visitor spots located in the ramp. Enter the building at the North end toward St. Mary’s Hospital and following the signs toward the Ground Level - Meijer Conference Center.
Please bring a jacket or sweater as the conference room and hospital temperature can fluctuate. Lunch is first, please be on time. They will be an update on where and how the donated monies will or have been spent. A tour of the facility will follow. Because we are a healthcare facility, attendees will be asked to wear a mask while they tour the hospital. We will have these available onsite. This is because the hospital is patient facing and we do not want to put our patients at risk. However, masks are NOT required in the Professional Office building where guests will begin their time at MFB. This is because no patient care happens on the floors attendees will be in the Professional Office Building.
Christy Nowak, Treasurer
Donations to Polio eradication are sent to the RI Foundation
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