Better days are on the horizon! Your Estes Park Rotary Club is already making plans for us to meet again, and return to whatever this “new normal” brings us all! In concert with similar plans the morning club is developing, our plan right now is to resume club meetings as early as possible, hopefully by May 7th!
We recognize that we may be limited by our government officials in regard to the size of our gathering, so initially we may use a lottery system for those who would like to attend weekly meetings in person. Additionally, we also understand that many of you may still have concerns about meeting in larger groups at this time. For those club members, we plan to have each meeting streamed over Facebook Live so that you don’t miss a thing.
While these plans are very fluid and dependent upon many outside circumstances beyond our control, be looking for more detailed information from us in the days and weeks ahead.
Thank you, friends, for continuing to be a light to this community even during these trying times. Your generosity as a club continues to amaze me, and I am greatly looking forward to our days ahead together as we resume regular club meetings.
Service Above Self -
Doug Mann
President
Cancellations aim to to keep all safe
In compliance with state and local guidelines to curb transmission of the Coronavirus, the Club Board of Directors has voted to cancel the following meetings:
Thursday, April 23 Club Meeting
Thursday, April 30- 5th Thursday - no meeting
President Doug Mann and the Board of Directors will review current Coronavirus directives and inform you of any additional cancellations.
Rotary International and District 5440 Updates
District 5440 and District 5450 have canceled RYLA and Young RYLA and RYLA Plus leadership camps for youth.
Rotary International has canceled the June 6-10 International Convention in Honolulu.
District 5440 has canceled the May 29-30 District Conference.
District 5440 has canceled the May 28 Foundation Dinner.
Posted by Rita DuChateau
Duck Race moves to all-online sales
Ducks hope to paddle in September
Planning for a large fundraising event during a global pandemic has presented a few challenges for the Estes Park Rotary Duck Race Festival committee. While many spring and summer events have been canceled, the overwhelming benefit to the community of the annual Duck Race has kept the committee paddling along.
Rotary’s belief in service has propelled the constant effort to reschedule the event to a time when it can be held safely. The goal has changed from mid-August to mid-September. Participating Organizations have been notified of the move to all-online sales to protect the safety of the many volunteers who traditionally process and handle paper Adoption Forms, checks and cash. Flexibility on the details of the event is an overriding consideration, so fans should be prepared for the possibility of a “virtual” race.
At the head of the flock for this year’s event is Karen Thompson. She has convened Webex and email meetings of her committee and kept the large group focused on the goal: supporting Participating Organizations, especially during this time of need.
“We are waiting for approval from the Town and Fire Protection District to hold the race mid-September,” Thompson explained. “We are hopeful restrictions will be lifted and we can safely run a great race on Fall River. If not, we have "Plan B" in place and can run a virtual race. Everyone's safety is of utmost importance, and that will be the deciding factor for a live or virtual race.”
The online-only sales began April 17, and Participating Organizations have received instructions on the method for turning in paper Adoption Forms they have already sold. Online sales will continue through Race Day. Committee member Larry Williams is available to answer questions from Participating Organizations at by email at lwilli5442@yahoo.com or phone at (970) 586-3295.
“The Organizations have been contacted by e-mail and are responding well,” Williams said. “The online purchasing process at www.epduckrace.org is straightforward. You don’t have to go through your favorite Organization to support them. You can do it directly through the web site.”
Thompson said the planning committee considered waiving the $2 per adoption fee for online sales but could not recommend it.
“Unfortunately, this is an actual expense to the Rotary Club. After much consideration, we concluded it would not be feasible to waive the fee,” Thompson explained. “Waiving the $2 fee for thousands of adoptions would be a huge hit to our already tight budget. In comparison, the service fees for a concert ticket average about $20, so we feel a $2 charge is minimal.”
While the race may look different and the method of purchasing adoptions has been simplified for safety, the goal of service to the community has never waivered.
“We so appreciate the flexibility of all the participating organizations. This pandemic hasn't been easy on anyone, and I'm sure fundraising efforts have been no exception,” Thompson said.
Last year’s Duck Race raised $128,700 for 67 community organizations. Over 6,700 ducks were adopted. In the past 31 years, the Estes Park Duck Race has returned more than $2.7 million to Estes Valley organizations that serve residents of all ages.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park Board of Directors has voted to make a $1,000 contribution to Estes Park Health Foundation’s special fund to support the COVID-19 response at Estes Park Health. This fund was recently established to help with the hospital’s work to obtain additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff, care for the uninsured, acquire equipment, upgrade facilities, and other needs that may arise
The most pressing need is to outfit four patient rooms with negative pressure systems. Negative pressure will prevent air from the room of an infected patient from escaping out into the building to infect other patients or staff. This project will cost $45,000 to complete.
"This pandemic has impacted us all, through illness of friends and family in other areas, social restrictions that limit our interactions and travel, increased anxiety, unemployment, and economic fears," said Kevin Mullin, executive director of the Estes Park Health Foundation. "Our town is preparing for the threat caused by COVID-19, and our hospital foundation is pleased to support this preparedness."
A generous Rotarian has agreed to match the club's $1,000 contribution to the COVID-19 fund. Additionally, this Rotarian also will match club members' contributions up to a maximum of $5,000.
"The Rotary Club of Estes Park's history of supporting local needs is a hallmark of this group. The Estes Park Health Foundation very much appreciates this grant," Mullin said. "The additional pledge of a club member to match donations will multiply the club's generosity and help the foundation to reach its goal."
For more information or to make a contribution, visit:givetoeph.org/covid19. Contact Kevin Mullin with questions, at kmullin@eph.org or 970-387-8252.
Times of trouble don't stop Rotarians
Are you in need of help? President Doug Mann is reaching out to club members who may need assistance during this time of Shelter in Place, Social Distancing, and anxiety about the Coronavirus.
"I would like for anyone who is having difficulties or problems of any kind during this challenging time to call me," he said. Doug's cell # is (815) 519-8933.
"We will try to help you get through this," Doug added. "Please know you are not alone. Your club can help. Rotarians will be there for you!"
Coronavirus and the 4-Way Test
This poem was submitted by Pete Sumey, who received it from former club member Robert Burkhardt. Robert's twin brother, Ross, penned it for his Las Cruces, NM Rotary Club.
COVID-19 and THE FOUR-WAY TEST
As Rotarians, we genuinely care about others –
Our families, our friends, our sisters and brothers.
We’re now in an age of compelled social distance,
Intended to foster COVID-19 resistance.
The numbers are staggering; too many are sick.
We must work together through thin and through thick.
This virus is serious, but still we feel blessed
Because we confront it with our Four-Way Test.
Is it the Truth? Unfortunately, yes.
The Coronavirus is a huge global mess.
It’s taxing health systems all over the earth;
We praise first responders and honor their worth.
Is it Fair to All Concerned? My goodness, no.
It’s a pandemic virus, an implacable foe.
But as we fight back, with vim and with verve,
We’re making some progress in flattening the curve
Will it Build Good Will and Better Friendships? We
Know that it has, as everyone can see.
It brings out the best when we share with persistence
In gestures of kindness, support and assistance.
Rotarians are doing their part every day.
Stay at home, wash your hands, help the needy – okay?
How long will it last? Too long, but ask yourself,
“Isn’t our Rotary motto ‘Service above Self’?
Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?
Watching Rotarians in action, I’ve learned
That we answer the call, we rise to the task –
We do what is needed, even wearing a mask.
Do what you can, but at a safe distance.
Do not endanger another’s existence.
Rotarians will rise to the challenge, I attest,
Inspired to serve to others through our Four-Way Test.
By Ross M. Burkhardt - April 4, 2020
Posted by Jack Boatman
R.I. approves our club's global grant
Cooperative effort will staff children’s center
We may be in “stay at home” mode in Estes Park, but our Rotary Club is still active serving others. Our club recently received approval for a global grant from the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International to support a new Children’s Learning Center in Pogradec, Albania.
The Rotary Club of Estes Park, The Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation, the Pogradec Albania Rotary Club, and Nehemiah Gateway are working together on this global grant project.
Pogradec is a city of 37,000 people in southeastern Albania. Albania is one of the poorest countries in Europe, with about 34 percent of the overall population living poverty. In rural areas and among marginalized groups such as people with disabilities, the rate is much higher. The education system in Albania offers very little support for children with special needs; in Pogradec, lack of services means that close to 100 percent of children with special needs are never able to attend school, and reach adulthood with limited options for dignified and independent living.
This project will help more children with disabilities receive the support they need to thrive in school. The nonprofit organization Nehemiah Gateway (NG) has helped thousands of people living in poverty in Albania since 1991, offering medical and social aid to people in need, and education for people for whom the public education system is inaccessible. This includes significant work with children with disabilities. NG has raised funds to add a new Children's Learning Center to its current clinical space, addressing a significant community need that it cannot meet with existing staff and facilities. This Center, consisting of two therapy classrooms connected by a shared waiting room and restroom, will be staffed by a team of nurses and specialists.
The project supports several of Rotary’s global areas of focus. It is primarily an education project that will increase education opportunities for special needs children and build capacity in the Pogradec community to meet the needs of special needs children. Additionally, it addresses water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) goals by including funding to install an accessible bathroom (including handwashing and drinking water stations) in the center, and staff and student instruction on proper handwashing and hygiene.
The cost of the global grant project is $35,000. The Rotary Club of Estes Park and the Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation both contributed $2,500. Nehemiah Gateway provided $5,000 in matching funds. The global grant project will receive $10,000 in matching funds from District 5440 and $15,000 in matching funds from The Rotary Foundation.
Nehemiah Gateway has raised the funds needed to build the two therapy classrooms. The Rotary funds will primarily be used to support teacher training and personnel costs for the first year of operation. After that, Nehemiah Gateway will cover all ongoing operational costs.
The global grant project continues our club's connection with Nehemiah Gateway and the Pogradec, Albania area. Our club donations, along with district matching funds, financially supported a summer camp in this area of Albania in 2018 and 2019 and will be again in the summer of 2020. The camp provides a safe place for low income children to learn and grow during a time when school is out, and when many children are forced into begging and trash collecting.
Give to our Foundation while you shop!
Do you find that you are placing Amazon orders more frequently these days? Don't forget to help your Rotary Club of Estes Park Foundation with every order. As a recipient of funds in the smile.amazon.com, our foundation will receive a portion of the sale. 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.
Rotary Quote of the Week
"Our district is in the forefront in providing relief to hurting people. The Finance Committee approved donating $28,000 to our Food Banks and pantries in the district. In addition, we received a $25,000 grant from the Rotary Disaster Relief Fund for additional help to the Food Banks. These funds, because of the 4X multiplier effect, will provide 212,000 meals to people in need in every corner of our district. I am so proud that we as Rotarians can step up and help in such a meaningful and tangible way... These are very unusual times. They call for us to give of ourselves, in a time of great uncertainty. What I know is that Rotarians always rise to the challenge. We take on the hard things because it is the right thing to do. We serve others before we serve ourselves."
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