Good Works -- Around the World!
Posted by Adele Gibbs
Minutes of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary Meeting March 4, 2009.
In these rough and tumble economic times it is sometimes easy to get "down." Need a pick me up? Just attend a weekly meeting of the Missoula Sunrise Rotary Club! This morning's meeting offered several excellent reminders of the fine work that we Rotarians do and the work that others are doing in the world. We have much to be proud of and thankful for!
This morning's meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Elect Susan Hay Cramer, who just recently returned from PETS. Paul Williamson provided the invocation, asking for blessings on our work, our troops and our leaders at this tough time.
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced visiting Rotarian Jim Hutcheson of the Missoula Noon club and guests Melissa Creekmore (guest of Lynda Frost), Lou Bahin (guest of Bobby Clay), Jim Francis (guest of Arnie Didier), and Sarah Bell (guest-and wife-of Dave Bell). Also joining us was Agustina Torres, our exchange student from Argentina. Agustina presented the club with the flag of Argentina and received our club banner from President Chris Warden. Agustina said her exchange is a "dream come true" and "it's awesome!"
David Bardwick came prepared with his weekly dose of humor. This week's installment centered on some good sarcastic and "smart ass" comebacks. One example: "The police officer got out of his car as the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the officer said. The kid replied, 'Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.' When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket." Once again: ba-dum-bum!
Chris Warden introduced and individually thanked the members of the Money Train committee: Lynda Frost (who Chris said holds "the keys to the train and the project"), Rusty Lockner, Jeanine Nguyen, Anne Guest, David Bardwick, Marissa Creekmore (a Missoula Sunrise Rotary first-the only non-Rotarian to serve on one of our committees!), Sonia Mussiett, Kate Cotnoir, Denise Moore, Steve Eastlick and Julie McFarland.
Lynda Frost then presented a check for $30,000 to this year's Money Train recipient, the Carole Graham Home. The check was accepted by Bonnie Stewart and Skip Rosenthal. Rusty Lockner announced that it appears he has "brokered" a deal with Karl Tyler Chevrolet for a new 15-passenger van, which was at the top of the Home's wish list. This van has a list price of $35,000 that Rusty thinks they can get for $29,000. In addition to a trade-in of $2,500 on their existing van, that will leave an additional $3,500 for additional needs! Bonnie Stewart thanked Sunrise Rotary, saying she was "in awe" of our work and support and said the gift was an "incredible blessing."
Susan Cramer announced that she and Arnie Didier and Carl Prinzing attended PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) in Denver, along with hundreds of fellow Rotary "dorks and nerds." Susan said the event featured general and breakout sessions, two district meetings and outstanding speakers including incoming RI President John Kenny of Scotland. Susan thanked the club for sending the group to PETS, and said we are a great club and she is proud of us!
Chris Warden announced that he will be submitting the paperwork for the Presidential Citation for Sunrise Rotary. To achieve the Citation our club had to be at least net 1 for membership for the year, and we're there.
Chris Warden also announced that member Mark O'Neill has taken a job transfer with Wells Fargo that will lead him back to Butte. Chris echoed the entire club by telling Mark we'll miss him!
Bobby Clay invited all to attend the Missoula Community Chorus's fundraiser this Saturday (March 7th). The wine and beer tasting event begins at 6pm at the Missoula Children's Theater and tickets are $45 (available at Rockin' Rudy's or Worden's Market, or see Bobby). Darko Butorac will emcee the event which will include live and silent auctions. Sounds like a don't miss event!
Brett Felton announced that he and partner Dr. Terry Zahn have partnered with the March of Dimes on the March for Babies walk scheduled May 9th. For anyone raising $500 in donations to walk, Drs. Felton and Zahn are offering a free tooth whitening!
The Rotary Minute was provided by Marshall Delano who shared that individuals can make a very easy $5 donation to the Rotary Foundation to fight polio by texting the word POLIO to 90999. (The $5 charge will appear on your cellular bill.) Marshall also shared that following a trip to India in November, when he held a nine-month-old girl afflicted with polio in his arms in a slum in East Delhi, Bill Gates has made an additional huge commitment to eradicating polio. Millions of new dollars have been donated across the UK and Germany. There are four countries were polio is still endemic: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Arnie Didier and Carl Prinzing both added more interesting information about the Gates grants, matches and the eradication of polio. Such good work is being done!
We then moved to our program, with Chris Warden first thanking our own Susan Anderson for her terrific support of the Interact Club at Sentinel. Chris explained that Interact is a high school organization sponsored by Rotary and that Susan is helping to fulfill our club's obligation through her continued commitment of time and energy dedicated to supporting Interact at Sentinel (where both her son and daughter are involved!)
Susan Anderson introduced her daughter Sara Anderson, the first of two speakers. Sara is active in the the Sentinel Interact Club and has been for three years. The club has approximately 10 members (including Agustina from Argentina). Their faculty supervisor is the Flagship coordinator. The club has been focused on fundraising for an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, the "Sanctuary of Hope." Fundraising efforts include collection cans in classes, a dance, candy grams, working concessions, donations from other clubs and gift wrapping at the holidays.
Sara explained that she was first approached by her math teacher about the orphanage and its needs. Sara said she decided, "We can do this!" and the project has been a focus of Sentinel Interact ever since. So far, the Sentinel Interact Club has raised $10,000 for the Sanctuary of Hope which was used to purchase a van to transport the kids. Sara said their fundraising efforts continue.
Sara then introduced Debbie Lee who completed the program. Debbie is a nurse at Community Medical Center who explained her "heart is in Africa." Debbie and her husband have been involved for 25 years with campus ministries, and starting 11 years ago she began to lead students on work in Kenya. Debbie explained that in 1992 she served for two months working with abandoned babies in Nairobi, many of which were sick and dying. She said it shook her to the core and she pledged to do something.
Debbie explained that the first Sanctuary of Hope was opened in October 2006, and 11 orphans from the slums of Nairobi now have a permanent home in which they can stay through college (they currently attend private school). A second home was later built, and plans are underway for a third home (for which a $100,000 donation from a church in California was made).
While working the coffee cart at Sentinel where she has children as students, Debbie Lee connected with a math teacher and told her of her work in Africa and the story of the Sanctuary of Hope. It was that math teacher who then approached Sara Anderson for Interact's help. Debbie explained that there is an excellent partnership with Interact and she is grateful for their support. She said it's great to see students "catch a vision for serving."
Debbie closed by showing a beautiful video about the Sanctuary of Hope. The video contained a heartfelt thank you from the "house parents" to the Sentinel Interact Club for its help in providing funds for the van. It was quite touching, and many Sunrise Rotarians were moved to help with donations when the "hat" (a beautiful African basket) was passed.
Chris Warden thanked our speakers, and the Sentinel Interact Club for its inspiring work. Chris told Sara Anderson that we will continue our food drive through April 15th and as with their food drive, we are matching donations $1 for $1 or $1 per pound up to $1,000. When our donation is made to the Missoula Food Bank in April, it will be made in our name AND the in the name of the Sentinel Interact Club.
To close the meeting, a very proud President Chris beamed as we all recited the Four Way Test - with the banner turned so no one could read it!
This morning's meeting started with the Pledge of Allegiance led by President Elect Susan Hay Cramer, who just recently returned from PETS. Paul Williamson provided the invocation, asking for blessings on our work, our troops and our leaders at this tough time.
Sergeant at Arms David Bardwick introduced visiting Rotarian Jim Hutcheson of the Missoula Noon club and guests Melissa Creekmore (guest of Lynda Frost), Lou Bahin (guest of Bobby Clay), Jim Francis (guest of Arnie Didier), and Sarah Bell (guest-and wife-of Dave Bell). Also joining us was Agustina Torres, our exchange student from Argentina. Agustina presented the club with the flag of Argentina and received our club banner from President Chris Warden. Agustina said her exchange is a "dream come true" and "it's awesome!"
David Bardwick came prepared with his weekly dose of humor. This week's installment centered on some good sarcastic and "smart ass" comebacks. One example: "The police officer got out of his car as the kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. 'I've been waiting for you all day,' the officer said. The kid replied, 'Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could.' When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket." Once again: ba-dum-bum!
Chris Warden introduced and individually thanked the members of the Money Train committee: Lynda Frost (who Chris said holds "the keys to the train and the project"), Rusty Lockner, Jeanine Nguyen, Anne Guest, David Bardwick, Marissa Creekmore (a Missoula Sunrise Rotary first-the only non-Rotarian to serve on one of our committees!), Sonia Mussiett, Kate Cotnoir, Denise Moore, Steve Eastlick and Julie McFarland.
Lynda Frost then presented a check for $30,000 to this year's Money Train recipient, the Carole Graham Home. The check was accepted by Bonnie Stewart and Skip Rosenthal. Rusty Lockner announced that it appears he has "brokered" a deal with Karl Tyler Chevrolet for a new 15-passenger van, which was at the top of the Home's wish list. This van has a list price of $35,000 that Rusty thinks they can get for $29,000. In addition to a trade-in of $2,500 on their existing van, that will leave an additional $3,500 for additional needs! Bonnie Stewart thanked Sunrise Rotary, saying she was "in awe" of our work and support and said the gift was an "incredible blessing."
Susan Cramer announced that she and Arnie Didier and Carl Prinzing attended PETS (President Elect Training Seminar) in Denver, along with hundreds of fellow Rotary "dorks and nerds." Susan said the event featured general and breakout sessions, two district meetings and outstanding speakers including incoming RI President John Kenny of Scotland. Susan thanked the club for sending the group to PETS, and said we are a great club and she is proud of us!
Chris Warden announced that he will be submitting the paperwork for the Presidential Citation for Sunrise Rotary. To achieve the Citation our club had to be at least net 1 for membership for the year, and we're there.
Chris Warden also announced that member Mark O'Neill has taken a job transfer with Wells Fargo that will lead him back to Butte. Chris echoed the entire club by telling Mark we'll miss him!
Bobby Clay invited all to attend the Missoula Community Chorus's fundraiser this Saturday (March 7th). The wine and beer tasting event begins at 6pm at the Missoula Children's Theater and tickets are $45 (available at Rockin' Rudy's or Worden's Market, or see Bobby). Darko Butorac will emcee the event which will include live and silent auctions. Sounds like a don't miss event!
Brett Felton announced that he and partner Dr. Terry Zahn have partnered with the March of Dimes on the March for Babies walk scheduled May 9th. For anyone raising $500 in donations to walk, Drs. Felton and Zahn are offering a free tooth whitening!
The Rotary Minute was provided by Marshall Delano who shared that individuals can make a very easy $5 donation to the Rotary Foundation to fight polio by texting the word POLIO to 90999. (The $5 charge will appear on your cellular bill.) Marshall also shared that following a trip to India in November, when he held a nine-month-old girl afflicted with polio in his arms in a slum in East Delhi, Bill Gates has made an additional huge commitment to eradicating polio. Millions of new dollars have been donated across the UK and Germany. There are four countries were polio is still endemic: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. Arnie Didier and Carl Prinzing both added more interesting information about the Gates grants, matches and the eradication of polio. Such good work is being done!
We then moved to our program, with Chris Warden first thanking our own Susan Anderson for her terrific support of the Interact Club at Sentinel. Chris explained that Interact is a high school organization sponsored by Rotary and that Susan is helping to fulfill our club's obligation through her continued commitment of time and energy dedicated to supporting Interact at Sentinel (where both her son and daughter are involved!)
Susan Anderson introduced her daughter Sara Anderson, the first of two speakers. Sara is active in the the Sentinel Interact Club and has been for three years. The club has approximately 10 members (including Agustina from Argentina). Their faculty supervisor is the Flagship coordinator. The club has been focused on fundraising for an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya, the "Sanctuary of Hope." Fundraising efforts include collection cans in classes, a dance, candy grams, working concessions, donations from other clubs and gift wrapping at the holidays.
Sara explained that she was first approached by her math teacher about the orphanage and its needs. Sara said she decided, "We can do this!" and the project has been a focus of Sentinel Interact ever since. So far, the Sentinel Interact Club has raised $10,000 for the Sanctuary of Hope which was used to purchase a van to transport the kids. Sara said their fundraising efforts continue.
Sara then introduced Debbie Lee who completed the program. Debbie is a nurse at Community Medical Center who explained her "heart is in Africa." Debbie and her husband have been involved for 25 years with campus ministries, and starting 11 years ago she began to lead students on work in Kenya. Debbie explained that in 1992 she served for two months working with abandoned babies in Nairobi, many of which were sick and dying. She said it shook her to the core and she pledged to do something.
Debbie explained that the first Sanctuary of Hope was opened in October 2006, and 11 orphans from the slums of Nairobi now have a permanent home in which they can stay through college (they currently attend private school). A second home was later built, and plans are underway for a third home (for which a $100,000 donation from a church in California was made).
While working the coffee cart at Sentinel where she has children as students, Debbie Lee connected with a math teacher and told her of her work in Africa and the story of the Sanctuary of Hope. It was that math teacher who then approached Sara Anderson for Interact's help. Debbie explained that there is an excellent partnership with Interact and she is grateful for their support. She said it's great to see students "catch a vision for serving."
Debbie closed by showing a beautiful video about the Sanctuary of Hope. The video contained a heartfelt thank you from the "house parents" to the Sentinel Interact Club for its help in providing funds for the van. It was quite touching, and many Sunrise Rotarians were moved to help with donations when the "hat" (a beautiful African basket) was passed.
Chris Warden thanked our speakers, and the Sentinel Interact Club for its inspiring work. Chris told Sara Anderson that we will continue our food drive through April 15th and as with their food drive, we are matching donations $1 for $1 or $1 per pound up to $1,000. When our donation is made to the Missoula Food Bank in April, it will be made in our name AND the in the name of the Sentinel Interact Club.
To close the meeting, a very proud President Chris beamed as we all recited the Four Way Test - with the banner turned so no one could read it!