Rotopep for February 26, 2015

Announcements

Friendship Garden Update

President Paul and Dick Peach provided an update on the proposal before the Evanston City Council to widen and pave pathways in  the Ladd Arboretum. Because some of these pathways run through the Rotary Club’s Friendship Garden, there is concern about the potential impact of widening and paving activities on the health of trees and the overall aesthetics of the Garden.

With club and Board feedback supporting a formal position statement on the widening and paving proposal, the club has drafted a letter to the City Council, urging that it refrain from making any changes to pathways that would use hard surfaces, such as asphalt or concrete, or that would in any way harm the health of Friendship Garden trees or diminish the original vision of the designers of the Garden.

Foundation 100% Giving Campaign

President Paul urged club members to participate in the club’s Foundation 100 percent Giving Campaign this month. Our goal is for EVERYONE in the club to donate to the Foundation -- even if it’s a small amount. Many thanks to the generosity of those who have contributed so far -- your checks are noted and appreciated! We will make it easy for you -- no forms to fill out -- just provide a check and we’ll make sure it is processed by RI in your name. Remember… The more we give, the more we get: Matching grants for our projects, provided by District 6440 and Rotary International, are based on how much we give to the Foundation each year.

Help our Local Rotaract Club

Hye Sun Kim of the Evanston Rotaract Club updated us on a Networking Event for Rotaract that Rotarians can support on Tuesday, March 10th in the first floor conference rooms of Rotary International, from 6-7 p.m. Tthe event is an opportunity to make connections with Rotaract & non-Rotaract students. They are eager to hear about our work experiences and community service involvement. If you are interested in participating in this informal session, please email the following details to Hye Sun at hyekim2015@u.northwestern.edu by February 24th: Name, email address, areas of work (education, consulting, non-profit, etc.) and years of involvement.  Any and all participation will be appreciated!  

Sergeant at Arms

Tracy Tebear quizzed us on Park Ridge trivia.  

Program: Natalie Berg, Random Acts of Flowers

Natalie Berg is the executive director of Random Acts of Flowers in Evanston, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.

Natalie presented an inspiring story of how Random Acts of Flowers began in a hospital in Knoxville, TN. Larsen Jay, founder,  launched the organization in 2008. He was hospitalized from an injury that he incurred when he fell from a ladder in 2007. While at the hospital, he received an overwhelming amount flowers and one day after a ride in his wheelchair down the halls, he noticed how barren and joyless many of the rooms were. That was when he went back to his room, took the cards off of  his flowers and started making deliveries of repurposed flowers to other patients.

Evanston is now the fourth city in the US where Random Acts of Flowers operates. Natalie mentioned the importance of her volunteer workers and how they feel after making deliveries. Volunteers give their time to pick up and process floral donations, arrange flowers, recycle vases, make deliveries and assist with special events. She invited us to accompany them on a delivery to witness the importance of this organization and the joy it brings to individuals in need of a special surprise.

She is encouraged by the enthusiasm she has received in the Evanston and Chicago area. The charity is exclusively supported by private donations and help of organizations like Whole Foods, which is donating 5% of all purchases made at both their Evanston locations on Chicago Ave. on Tuesday, Feb. 24th.

If you wish to learn more, visit their website www.RAFChicago.org.

March 5 program: Kate & Caryl Drohan--NU Softball Head Coach/Asst. Head Coach