Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat invites people from all faiths and walks of life to work together in partnership, building houses with families in need.
In 2017, Habitat for Humanity of the Estes Valley merged with Habitat for Humanity of the St. Vrain Valley, gaining expertise in the increasingly complex world of mortgage and construction regulations.
David Emerson will speak at the Rotary Club of Estes Park on Thursday, April 19, at their regular noon meeting. He will provide an overview of Habitat’s Homeownership Program and an update on Habitat for Humanity of the Estes Valley’s current plans. In particular, he is looking for individuals interested in becoming involved in Habitat’s efforts of providing decent affordable community-adapted housing in Estes Park.
David Emerson
Emerson holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He has held positions with Merrill Lynch, Walt Disney, and 3M Company. While serving on the Board of Directors of the South Palm Beach County Florida Habitat for Humanity, he helped launch a ReStore, developed a long-term strategic plan, and led the successful search for that affiliate’s first Executive Director.
In 2006, he left 3M Company to pursue his passion for Habitat’s mission full-time. Emerson feels blessed that he is able to work in partnership with the community and with those in need, whereby Habitat can provide a hand up via homeownership. His passion was recognized when he was named 2007 Habitat for Humanity Colorado Executive Director of the Year
Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. There are 1.2 million Rotary members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotary clubs have been serving communities worldwide for more than a century. Rotary clubs around the world initiate projects that address critical issues such as conflict resolution, hunger, poverty, disease and illiteracy.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park meets Thursdays at the Rodeway Inn in Estes Park, located at 1701 North Lake Avenue on Highway 34 just west of Dry Gulch Road. Visitors interested in learning more about Rotary and its programs are welcome to attend. Buffet is served at 11:30 a.m., the Rotary business meeting opens at noon, and the program begins at 12:30 p.m.
See our grant in action: Learn about Albania project with Nehemiah Gateway
This Friday, April 20, from 6-8 p.m., at the Estes Park High School, Nehemiah Gateway USA and the Estes Park High School will host "Investing in People: the Nehemiah Gateway Approach in Albania." You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn about Albania, and about humanitarian and educational work that the Rotary Club of Estes Park is already supporting through its grant program! Keynote speaker Arnold Geiger, who founded Nehemiah Gateway in 1992, is an internationally recognized humanitarian who received the German government's highest civilian honor, the German Federal Cross of Merit (Bundesverdienstkreuz) in 2008, as well as Albania's Mother Teresa award in 2017.
In addition to meeting and talking with Nehemiah Gateway USA board members and staff, this is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to try authentic Albanian recipes that were provided by Nehemiah Gateway Albania staff and prepared by the Estes Park High School ProStart classes. ProStart is a national program that prepares high school students for careers in the hospitality industry. Estes Park is one of only 27 schools in Colorado that offers it. ProStart creations are usually only available to the school community, so this is a great chance to support them as well. A $10 donation is required for admission. All proceeds will support Nehemiah Gateway’s humanitarian work in Albania and will include Albanian food courtesy of ProStart.
April 12, 2018 meeting highlights
President Kathy Groesbeck called the meeting to order. Pete Sinnott presented the Prayer of St. Francis. Dave Evans led us in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Jay Harroff led introductions. We welcomed a sojourner Richard Kimple of Ellinwood, Kansas. Ron Gordon introduced his wife Vivian. Then Jay gave us an update on his daughter Daphne who got her drivers license. Scott Thompson told his joke.
Announcements
Wayne Andersen said we will sort ducks at his house today after this meeting.
Doug Mann said the Estes Park High School Honor Society has joined our club to support our project to send Albanian gypsy children to summer camp. On Friday, April 20 from 6-8 p.m. at EPHS Cafeteria, they will host a night on Albania with ethnic food and speakers on this project and the country’s culture. Tickets are $10 and it is a charitable donation.
Rita DuChateau pointed out the recent articles in the Trail-Gazette about our activities. On page 2 this week, our partnership with Olga and the Mexican community for the Duck Race was covered. Then there was an article by Dale Bonza about our community grants program and another by Guy Van Der Werf on today's program.
As the Duck Race is on May 5, the Mexican community has moved their Cinco de Mayo celebration to Friday night, May 4. Olga needs our club’s help to serve the dinner Friday night and we get her Mexican dinner, too, for working. Contact Scott Thompson to help. It will be at the Pavilion (behind the main Events Center building) at the fairgrounds.
Tara Moenning reminded us that Saturday, April 21 is our community recycle day at Community Church from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. We will run the paper shredding portion as usual; the other parts are metal, electronics, and paint recycling. Inside the church is the Free-Cycle where you can bring things you want to get rid of or shop for free stuff other people have given.
Tara thanked the scholarship committee for their dedicated work reviewing the applications.
The next Duck Race committee meeting is Thursday, April 26.
There is a photo shoot tomorrow Friday at the Wheel Bar for duck race sponsors and any of our members that want to join them.
Lee Lasson reported Duck Central phones will be on tomorrow (Friday). He will give training sessions to organizations so their members can swipe and sell duck tickets on their own smartphones.
Scott Thompson said 30 Interact students will be duck marshals on the river and other volunteers are signing up.
President Kathy welcomed back sojourner Richard Kimple today. She thanked him for giving her the original idea that the Ridgeline Hotel might be a good place to meet. She then thanked Roger Thorp for the introduction to Ridgeline management. This has led to the partnership we have with their parent company Delaware North. They will produce the Duck Race Sponsor Thank You Lunch on May 24. We will next have a meeting to plan the move of our equipment inventory stored now at Rodeway. Jim Austin said he had the old inventory list for our closet and he will send to Kathy.
Happy Money
Jim Austin is happy to be retired for 15 years and to have another birthday next week. They have sold their house and cars, and he is going to Oregon to pick up an RV. He will be back to work the Shred-a-thon and Duck Race, then they are gone for the summer.
Doug Mann asked us to think of his son who is deployed with the Navy battle group to the Middle East.
Karen McClure was happy to see Bob Brunson here today. She had heard he had been ill.
Then Karol Rinehart told the story of going to have lunch with Bob this week and finding him gone from Good Sam’s after which she tracked him down at the hospital. Bob then told us how much he appreciates being here at Rotary every week with his friends.
Program
Karen McClure introduced our program today—Robert Burkhardt presented Shakespeare—and told us of his mammoth achievements, fame and influence in our language and culture today. Robert will be doing a five-installment class at the Community Center on Shakespeare for beginners.
Submitted by Madison Casey, scribe, and Rita DuChateau, photographer
All welcome as volunteers!
Help the Duck Race Festival
Everyone knows the Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival is the place to be on the first Saturday in May. But, did you know that you do not have to be a Rotarian to help? That's right, Rotarians! You can invite your friends to help.
Make a splash! Be a Duck Race Festival volunteer this year! Invite your friends and family.
“We welcome volunteers who can give a few hours on Friday, May 4 and/or Saturday, May 5. No special skills are required except a positive attitude,” said Scott Thompson, Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival volunteer coordinator.
Thompson is looking for volunteers to help with:
Setting up and taking down equipment at the start and finish lines
Selling duck-themed race memorabilia at Bond Park and Riverside Plaza
Supporting operations in Bond Park for charities and organizations
Helping to display sponsor ducks
Ensuring safety along the riverbanks
Keeping the ducks from getting snagged in the river.
“Our 70-member club cannot put on this event without a host of volunteers. It’s a great way to help a great cause, to make new friends, and be part of one of the largest events in Estes Park,” Thompson added.
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