No meeting this week. it's the fifth Thursday of the month.
Our next club meeting will be Thursday Feb. 6.
The club board of directors will meet Monday, Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. in the EVPL Wason Room.
Rotary Clubs unite to support La Puente
Volunteers from the Estes Valley have long supported a nonprofit in the San Luis Valley that provides shelter, childcare, nutrition and various other critical services to over 16,000 residents of this impoverished area. La Puente draws local volunteers to work groups in Alamosa twice a year. Among those volunteers are members of the three Estes Park Rotary clubs.
The shelter’s few professional staff members are supported by volunteers, like those who comprise the work groups from Estes Park. The Estes Park work group trips were started in 2002 by Estes Park Rotarians. One of them made his 40th trip in October 2019. The work trips now occur in June and October, with 15-20 workers on each trip. This group is made up of many Estes residents from the three Estes Rotary clubs, members of the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church, as well as other Estes residents. Several volunteers make additional trips to deliver donated food to food pantries. Donated clothing and household furnishings are either given directly to families or are placed in one of the thrift shops where local residents are able to find clothes and household furnishings at reasonable prices. All funds are used in support of the La Puente programs.
The Estes Park Rotary clubs have joined forces to encourage participation in a fundraising event, Simple Suppers for Kids in Distress (SSKIDS) to benefit La Puente. The event will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1800 21st Avenue, Greeley. There is no fee to attend the supper, but generous donations are encouraged.
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church hosts the annual SSKIDS fundraiser to support projects all over the world. Each year the SSKIDS Board selects an organization as the beneficiary of the soup supper. La Puente has been chosen as this year’s beneficiary, specifically the PALS program, an after-school and summer daycare program for kids ages 5-9. See accompanying article for more information on PALS.
The SSKIDS February 25 event will serve up a variety of soups donated by Greeley restaurants as well as desserts provided by community members.
Those unable to attend the supper are invited to send donations to SSKIDS, c/o Greeley Center for Independence, Attention Serita Reddy, 2780 28th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Make checks payable to SSKIDS with La Puente on the memo line. SSKIDS is a 501(c)(3) charity.
Posted by Rita DuChateau
Jan. 23 meeting notes
President Doug Mann called the meeting to order at noon. He thanked Jim Scritchfield and Trudy Collar for greeting Rotarians and their guests. Karen McClure gave a thoughtful invocation on compassion; Madison led us in singing “America the Beautiful” and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Doug welcomed Jean Rismiller, visiting Rotarian, and guests of Rotarians Beth Weisberg and Jim Scritchfield. Scott Thompson told a pitiful “blonde” joke. He then redeemed himself by thanking Carl Robicheaux, Wayne Anderson, Ron Gordon, Longley Parker and Gregg Jurgens for signing on as Duck Race sponsors.
Happy Money for Antonia’s trip. Our club has raised $329 so far. President Doug wants to get our total to $400.
Doug Mann was happy to travel to San Diego to welcome his son home from a 10-month deployment with the Navy.
Ron Gordon was happy to add to the collection for Anto.
Bill Smith was happy to be celebrating a birthday on Feb. 1.
Peter Sinnott was happy that Ward Nelson had successful spinal surgery this week. He then shared a story about Ron Kuhns and a Tall Blonde.
Wayne Newsom was happy to contribute to the cause.
Carl Robicheaux happily contributed to Anto’s travels.
Trudy Collar was happy to be leading her first new member induction and also that she will be spending 2 ½ month in Arizona.
Madison Casey was happy to have received good news following a medical procedure and grateful that Phil Moenning served as his chauffeur.
Karen Thompson was happy to have been invited by her daughter to participate in a homeless censes in downtown Denver.
Anne Slack is happy that Jack Overly is still with us and hopeful that he will soon be moved to rehab.
Jean Rismiller was happy to be able to attend several of our meetings, to witness the club’s generosity, and also happy to share that the fundraising has netted $2,000 of the $3,000 goal.
Karol Rinehart was happy that Jim Scritchfield will soon be a member of our club.
Madison Casey donated a second time because of the sartorial splendor of Kevin Mullin’s socks today.
Announcements
Madison Casey, Foundation president, shared news of an extremely generous donation of $25,000 to fund a scholarship to memorialize Bob Brunson and Roger Thorp. All are welcome to add to the fund, which will provide a $1,000 award each year to a student pursuing non-traditional or unique post-secondary educational paths.
Ron Gordon encouraged club members to read this week’s newspapers to learn more about the PALS program and to consider making a donation.
Jean Rismiller said Antonia had a scheduling conflict today. Jean invited all to a social event on Sunday at the Legion to benefit Antonia’s travel fund. She also encouraged club members to purchase tickets to the Feb. 16 Chilean Dinner, on sale through February 4.
Induction of new club member Trudy presented a Rotary pin, certificate of membership and new member packet to Jim Scritchfield and welcomed him to the club. Karol Rinehart is Jim’s sponsor.
Program - Club Assembly Club members met in committees with the following Board Directors: Karen Thompson, Fund Development; Ron Gordon, International Service; Peter Sinnott, Community Service.
Rita DuChateau, scribe, and Jon Thompson, photographer.
Matching program supports local non-profits
Recognizing that the Rotarians of The Rotary Club of Estes Park support various local non-profits, the Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation recently conducted a Matching Charitable Donation program. Eligible local non-profit organizations must be a qualified 501(c)(3) and the donations must be used for programs serving Estes Valley residents. The Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation provided a total of $7,445 in matching donations to the organizations listed below based on donations from Rotary Club of Estes Park members.
Angels Above Foundation
Bright Christmas
Crossroads Ministry
Estes Park Health Foundation
Estes Park Learning Place
Estes Park Salud Foundation
Estes Park Museum Friends & Foundation
Estes Valley Crisis Advocates
Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success
Estes Valley Library Friends & Foundation
Estes Valley Land Trust
Estes Valley Watershed Coalition
Healing Waters Foundation
Historic Stanley Home Foundation
Nehemiah Gateway USA
Pet Association of Estes Park
Rocky Mountain Conservancy
Salvation Army (Estes Park Unit)
Shepherd of the Mountain Lutheran Church (Community Cafe)
Summit Church
Buy one at Thursday's meeting!
2020 Rotary Friendship Card available
Estes Park’s $10 local discount card is now available for purchase at the following locations: Estes Park Visitor Center, MacDonald Book Shop, Nicky’s Steak and Seafood House, Quality Inn, Safeway (Guest Services), Rocky Mountain Gateway, and The Village Store at National Park Village. Karen Thompson also will bring cards to this week's club meeting.
The Friendship Card will be valid at more than 70 local businesses, who will offer discounts on food and drink, shopping, entertainment, and services. Friendship Card holders will need to show their card at the business in order to receive the discount. Certain restrictions may apply. Participating merchants will be listed on the Friendship Card’s Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/EPFriendshipCard/. Printed brochures will be available at locations selling the card, and participating merchants will display the Friendship Card window decal. The 2020 card will be valid from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020.
The Friendship Card is brought to you by the Rotary Club of Estes Park. Net proceeds from the sale of the card are used to support the club’s many charitable projects, including but not limited to scholarships and community grants.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park would like to thank the many participating merchants, as this fundraising project would not be possible without each one of them. To become a participating merchant, contact Karen Thompson at epfriendshipcard@gmail.com.
Congratulations, 2019 scholars
Give to our Foundation while you shop!
The Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation is a recipient of funds in the smile.amazon.com. Each order you place will send a portion of the sale to our Foundation. All you need to do its sign up to get the funds flowing. And SHOP!
Choose the charitable organization by typing in Estes Park Rotary Foundation. Our club and the Longs Peak club will come up in the search. Click on Estes Park Rotary Foundation.
Create a bookmark so every time you shop Amazon, you will participating in the smile.amazon.com program.
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