Home Page | Minneapolis University Rotary Club

We are people of action.

The Minneapolis University Rotary Club embodies the Rotary motto “Service Above Self." Our members are committed to social justice at home and abroad. We focus on enhancing education and health care in the Twin Cities and in countries around the world.

We meet every Wednesday, noon-1:15. During the COVID-19 pandemic, club meetings are held online via Zoom.

To join our meeting and receive the Zoom link, email us at mplsuniversity@gmail.com

We look forward to resuming regular in-person lunch meetings on the University of Minnesota campus when it is safe to do so.

We invite you to join us!

Announcements

Club president Erik VanKuijk welcomed members and our guest speaker Michael Allen. Erik VanKuijk reminded members that they can join our Zoom meetings early each Wednesday at 11:45 for social time. Please refer to the schedule for our new meeting feature called "member moments." We look forward to any information members wish to share through member moments segments.

There will be a club meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 7, at noon with a speaker to be announced.

Carole P reported on the District 5950 Local Grants Committee on which she, Carol C-H and Jean W serve. Since July, the committee has approved over $139,000 in grant funds to area Rotary clubs sponsoring local community and small (under $30,000) international grants. The committee has an additional $83,000 in funding available this fiscal year. The donations Rotarians make to the organization each year come back to us in the form of funds for grants to implement service projects that improve people's lives here and around the world.

Today's Speaker

Michael Allen, Executive Director of My Very Own Bed, speaking on the topic "Helping Kids Dream"

Our speaker Michael Allen asked that we imagine trying to sleep every night without a bed--on the floor, maybe on an air mattress. Even when formerly homeless families achieve stable housing. such is often the case in families unable to afford a safe, comfortable bed for their children. Mr. Allen saw this need after years of working with housing and social service agencies and, in 2014, founded an organization called My Very Own Bed. It serves families in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington Counties and provides a new twin bed and "dream kit" to children ages 2-17 in need.

Sleep, along with diet and exercise, are the three pillars of good health. For children's development, sleep is critical. A bed offers physical and emotional security. A new bed offers children something that is all their own, and not a hand-me-down. The vision of My Very Own Bed is to offer kids a place to sleep, to dream and to find comfort. Delivering a Dream Kit with each bed--made up of a stuffed animal, a book and sleep tips--enhances the experience of a place of the child's own.

My Very Own Bed has delivered over 2,000 beds to date. Its goal is 900 beds this year. It depends on volunteers for much of its operation, while also raising $350,000+ a year to support the approximately $200 per bed cost. Mr. Allen summarized foundation, corporate and faith-based support for the "small but mighty" organization. In addition, donations from individuals are also critical. The annual fund-raiser, called Beds and Bluegrass, will be held virtually on Dec. 5, and Cristina will let our club members know the details.

To donate time or money or to get more information, please see the website myveryownbed.org.

Erik van Kuijk

Welcome to Minneapolis University Rotary Club. We meet virtually for fellowship, service, and excellent speakers. Our members represent diverse backgrounds, professions, and communities—including the University of Minnesota—who share a passion for serving, learning, and connecting with the world and each other. We invite you to get to know our small and mighty club and join a worldwide organization committed to making a positive difference.

In Rotary Service, Dr. Erik VanKuijk

Tsehai Wodajo, Executive Director - Resources for Enriching African Lives (REAL)

Tsehai Wodajo has over 35 years of work experience in a wide range of fields including education, journalism, social work, and directing, facilitating and coordinating nonprofit programs. She is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit organization Resources for Enriching African Lives (REAL), an organization dedicated to the education and empowerment of girls in Ethiopia. Tsehai is the recipient of many awards including the Leadership In Neighborhood Fellowship, an award for her work on domestic violence against African women, and International Social Justice Award for her work on the education and empowerment of Ethiopian girls and young women. Her education background includes a BA in English Literature, and Masters in Social Work.

This presentation will highlight the work of REAL, and demonstrate the profound difference that education and empowerment have made and continue to make for bright but disadvantaged Ethiopian girls for the last 16 years.

If you are interested in learning about future programs, click the Upcoming Speakers link at the top of the home page.

Announcements

There will be a club meeting next Wednesday, Oct. 7, at noon with a speaker to be announced.

Today's Speaker

Michael Allen, Executive Director of My Very Own Bed, speaking on the topic "Helping Kids Dream"

To donate time or money or to get more information, please see the website myveryownbed.org.

Making a Difference in Our Community

The Covid-19 pandemic has worsened the issue of food insecurity for Twin Cities families. High unemployment, school routine changes, central city store closures, and the loss of support networks contribute to the need for emergency food resources.

Minneapolis University Rotary Club is making food insecurity a focus of our community service. In collaboration with The Food Group MN, a 501(c)3, we have established a Virtual Food Drive to support the Community Bridge Food Shelf and Simpson United Methodist Church Food Shelf in Minneapolis.

Every $100 donated to the Virtual Food Drive provides food for a family of four for three nutritious meals a day for a week.

We are encouraging Rotarians and others to make a tax-deductible donation at the Virtual Food site or on our website - click here.

We also invite you to consider a donation to our club’s work, with a tax-deductible gift to the Minneapolis University Rotary Service Foundation. You can give an unrestricted donation or earmark your donation for the food security initiative.