April is National Volunteer Month - a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of volunteers. It is an opportunity to join the impact of volunteerism and encourage more people to get involved in their communities. This is my chance to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Rotarians far and wide – thanks for all you do to continue to Create Hope in the World! Your unceasing dedication and continued efforts to eradicate polio, help communities in need and support each other inspires and motivates me. I appreciate all you do!
Rotary Club of Brooklyn Park members Kevin and Jennifer Weist want to help our District honor the memory of Brooklyn Park Rotarian and friend Eldon Tessman. To do this, they have generously offered a matching gift challenge. Any gift to The Rotary Foundation’s PolioPlus Fund starting on April 24, 2024 (the beginning of World Immunization Week), through June 30, 2024 (the end of the current Rotary Year), will be matched by them, dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 in contributions. To give electronically, please click here: https://www.rotary.org/donate. Together, Rotary and our project partners will end polio!
The Willmar Rotary Club, chartered in 1979, welcomed 11 new members during an installation ceremony March 27, 2024.
New members include Paul Johannes, Tim Jackson, Rochelle Peterson, Kathryn Haase, Kristin Rucks, Teresa Behm, Jean Gesselius, Tom Odens, Heather Olson, Dana Olson and Taylor Marcus.
"Our club is always enthusiastic about embracing new members who are committed to our motto of 'service above self,'" said Dr. Bill Adams, Rotary member and Willmar Public Schools assistant superindendent, in an email to the West Central Tribune.
Come and experience the cultural richness of Lake Street on a Trolley Tour. Anthony Taylor will narrate the historical Lake Street Corridor, the pathway for a majority of immigrant businesses in the Twin Cities. We’ll gather after the tour for an Ethiopian meal at Katar River Ethiopian Restaurant.
Space is limited so make your reservation NOW for May 3 … details attached. For more information contact Irene Kelly, Irene.Kelly@PrismaLLC.com or 612-240-0223.
The Twin Cities Rotary EcoClub (EcoClub) collaborated with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity (Habitat) to purchase and install solar panels for 2 new Habitat homes in North Minneapolis. Funding for the project included contributions from 15 other Rotary clubs and district grant funds from Rotary District 5950. The total project cost was $52,500. Rotary is providing $21,500 funds and Habitat will receive a federal tax rebate and City of Minneapolis Green Cost Share grant to pay for most of the remaining balance.
The solar panels were installed the end of February and the final interconnection and activation with Xcel Energy occurred the last week in March. Five Rotarians were there for the first day of installation and available to assist where needed. Due to insurance and liability reasons, there was not much they could do other than buy lunch for the crew and our partners with Habitat and Apadana Solar. The EcoClub is volunteering for a Habitat home build at Harrison Townhomes in Near North Minneapolis on April 25. Members of the 15 Rotary clubs that participated in funding have been invited to participate in the Habitat home build.
The annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) took place at the YMCA Camp St. Croix in Hudson April 19-23. 61 high school students, 8 junior counselors, 10 adult counselors and 3 additional staff participated in the weekend events. DG Jewelie was asked to be a celebrity judge for the RYLA High presentations, a group exercise in which teams of students were judged on their short and long term plans to save a high school suffering from low enrollment and high costs. The RED group came in first, and is pictured here.
Rotary District 5950, the Twin Cities Rotary EcoClub and the Rotary Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group participated in a pre-Earth Day Mississippi River Operation Pollination Partnership signing event on April 19, a major collaboration between many organizations that have a state in protecting the Mississippi River’s natural environment.
12 Rotary and Rotaract clubs reported participating in the District’s recent Year of Service “Read to Succeed” Literacy Challenge, where clubs were asked to collect books for community partners. Over 1,100 books were collected and donated in the 3 months of this challenge!!
On March 25, the City of Maple Plain received a $9,000 donation from the Rotary Club of Orono to be used for improvements to Veterans Memorial Park. The Rotary Club raised these funds through their annual Party in the Park event, last June.
The Rotary Club of Orono has a history of donating funds to Maple Plain for park improvements. Since 2018, the annual Party in the Park has raised over $50,000, of which nearly $40,000 has been donated to the city for Veterans Memorial Park improvements. The city’s long-term goal and strategic plan include a multipurpose pavilion with additional restrooms, eating and food prep facilities at the park and the club’s goal is to earmark this donation to offset some of those costs.
The Eden Prairie AM Rotary club successfully hosted the 3rd annual Earth Day EcoExpo at the Eden Prairie Center on April 20th. In line with the Rotary focus of “Protecting the Environment”, the event aimed to encourage the community to consider eco-friendly practices. Since its inception in 2022, the Expo has grown significantly, with this year's event attracting over 3000 visitors. The venue shift to the Eden Prairie Center mall in 2023 proved to be a strategic move, resulting in a notable increase in both exhibitors and attendees.
As we reflect on the past year, we remember and honor the cherished members of our Rotary family who have passed away. Their contributions, dedication, and spirit have left an indelible mark on our community, and it's important that we pay tribute to their legacy.
District 5950 is creating an In Memoriam video to commemorate the lives of our fellow Rotarians who have passed in the last year. This video will serve as a heartfelt tribute to their service, commitment, and the profound impact they've had. The video will be shown at the end of the Annual Meeting and made available on the District 5950 YouTube Site.
District 5950’s final quarter of the year of service focus is on mental health and homeless. Choose to make a difference for one of the most challenging issues facing every community. Below are ideas for ways your Rotary Club can serve!
Support Veterans – Several D5950 clubs plan to work together to provide a grant for Bravo Zulu House to cover the cost of installing a wheelchair lift inside the home and a wheelchair ramp outside the home. Bravo Zulu House is an all-Veterans sober-living home in Winnebago MN for men suffering from PTSD and chemical dependency. Contact Holly Callen at holly.callen@gmail.com if your club would like to be part of the District grant or invite her to speak to your club.
Project in a Day - Care Bags. Gather supplies and dedicate a meeting to assembling care bags for those without housing. Keep these care bags in your car to hand out or provide them to a local shelter.
Use string backpacks or gallon zip lock bags to hold items
Non-perishable food items - bottle of water, soft fruit bars, applesauce, crackers, pudding cups
New socks, gloves or hats (depending on the season)
Personal items - soap, toothbrush & paste, wet wipes
Flashlight or blanket, bandaids, tissues
Local Resources - Street Outreach Sheet https://agatemn.org/about/agate-resources/
Local Projects - Look for options in your community, such as
Habitat for Humanity Build Day
Donate coats, hats, mittens to local charities
Serve a meal at a shelter
Sponsor a mental health awareness project
Book a speaker from a housing or mental health agency for your club
Whatever project your club chooses - remember to report back to the District so we can tally the collective impact of Rotary Clubs Creating Hope in the World!
Graphics for upcoming District Events Available for Download for use on websites, social media, meetings, and bulletins. Download Here
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