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Dictionaries for 3rd Graders

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove has been distributing dictionaries to area elementary schools. There were over 800 dictionaries being given to third grade students within the Maple Grove area. Students from Mrs. Burns’ third class at Rush Creek Elementary School were excited to look up words and sign their names in a book they will be able to keep forever.

The dictionary distribution has been going on for several years. Maple Grove Junior Rotarians who are Juniors and Seniors in high school remember receiving dictionaries from the club. We are making a difference in the community one word at a time!

Business Ethics Award Winner for 2018

The Maple Grove Rotary Club honored Peter Geisendorfer-Lindgren, Pastor Emeritus at Lord of Life Lutheran Church of Maple Grove, with the 2018 Business Ethics and Leadership Award at its annual gala on Nov. 17th. The award recognizes Pastor Geisendorfer-Lindgren’s commitment to ethical business practices and her strong leadership skills.

Rotary Club of Maple Grove member Tom Anderson said in remarks during the Gala “Pastor Peter is currently serving as Pastor Emeritus at Lord of Life Lutheran Church having stepped down this year after serving 30 years as senior pastor. I nominated him for this award as I have witnessed his positive, visionary leadership grow a church of 1500 baptized members to over 9000 with outreach programs locally, nationally and globally. Being the senior pastor means you are in charge, which comes with its share of benefits but also challenges, including proper staffing, issues with church doctrine and the world we live in, creating a vision and getting members to move towards that vison. I observed Peter meet these challenges, frequently head on, in a transparent, positive, trust building manner. He states success comes from 1^st, in trusting God and secondly, trusting staff. I would also submit Peter has a few other things working for him. He is wicked smart, compassionate, with an excellent sense of humor, loves to laugh, and comes from a good family. “

The recipient of the Business Ethics Award can select a qualified charitable organization to receive a $500 contribution from the Rotary Club of Maple Grove. Peter has selected the Mobile Hope Homework Help Program.

Additionally, Pastor Geisendorfer-Lindgren received a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, which recognizes an individual who has made substantial contributions to humanitarianism and educational service and demonstrates the Rotary International Foundation objectives. With this award, $1,000 was donated in his name to the Rotary International Foundation to benefit people around the world.

Students learn real-world ethical solutions from Maple Grove Rotary

Th Rotary Club of Maple Grove hosted an all-day Ethics Workshop on Nov. 7, for 54 top students from Osseo and Maple Grove Senior High Schools as well as from Heritage Christian Academy.

The college-level seminar had students simulating specific roles as board members for an international company seeking ethical solutions to real world problems of marketing, finance and political concerns.

The day also included presentations by community business and academic leaders including Charles Weinstein, president of Ethical Leaders in Action, LLC; Wendy Loberg, former principal of Maple Grove Senior High School and currently system leader from Osseo Area Schools; and Steven Plant, Certified Financial Planner and Investment Management Consultant with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Each speaker offered systematic methods to identify and analyze ethical issues in business.

Boston Scientific contributed the meeting space for the event. The major financial sponsor for the workshop was C.S. McCrossan.

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove is one of 35,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries across the globe with 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. Rotary is a service organization that focuses on peace, health, and humanitarian causes in our local community and throughout the world. For more information go to portal.clubrunner.ca/2186

Building Beds for Children in Need

To help provide beds for local children and families in need, the Rotary Club of Maple Grove has been building 20 beds to deliver to CROSS Services The Maple Grove Quilters are providing original hand-made quilts to go with every bed.

Each summer, the Maple Grove Rotary Bed Race is held during Maple Grove Days. Funds raised, along with a grant from Rotary District 5950, are used to help build the beds - complete with mattresses, mattress covers, sheet sets, blankets and pillows. Books, including coloring books and teddy bears made by Rotary member Judy Johnson, are delivered on top of the beds.

“When the Maple Grove Quilters were asked to make quilts for the Rotary Club beds, we were delighted to pitch in,” Maple Grove Quilters member Peg Lindberg said. “Each quilt is uniquely made by one or more of our members to provide warmth, comfort, and vibrant color for a special child. We are thrilled to know our quilts, along with their new beds, will help children define their unique, comfortable personal spaces within their homes.”

Local families in need are identified by CROSS Services. The beds are delivered and assembled by Maple Grove Rotarians and Quilters.

“It’s been a privilege to make and deliver these beds to needy children,” Maple Grove Rotarian Jim Betzold said, “Our reward comes when we get a hug and thank you from the family and smiles from the children’s faces.”

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove Plants 61 Trees

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove, working with the Maple Grove Park Service, donated and planted 61 trees on Friday, October 6 th . The tree planting was in support of a Rotary International Challenge to have a tree planted for every member of the club. The trees were planted around the practice fields at the Maple Grove Middle School Community Playfield. Members were taught how to plant the potted trees correctly to avoid tree girdling, then filled
pre-dug holes with trees and soil.

The Rotary Club of Maple Grove meets at 6:45 a.m. every Tuesday morning at 3 Squares Restaurant in Maple Grove. The meetings end promptly at 8 a.m. Guests are welcome. For more information call Tim Deets, 763-710- 0351. The Rotary Club of Maple grove is one of 35,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries across
the globe with 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide. For more information go to