February 12, 2026 Notes By Walter Coppage
President Cara Sauceda rang the bell and started the meeting at 12:05 pm. Dave Hartman led the invocation with another, outstanding, heartfelt prayer. Cara Sauceda led the club in the Pledge of Allegiance. She also continued the theme of the Valentine month by having the club sing “L – O – V – E” and our club came through with great music.
Vicki Pratt was a guest of Kirk Peterson. Cheyenne Garcia was a guest of Rotary.
The Brag Bucket was busy today and I may have left someone or more out, so please forgive me. Noros Martin let us know that Danny Steed and Tanya Ruff with Hirschi Realtors held a breakfast for everyone in their office that was great. Cara Sauceda coaches volleyball and the team is winning and will be travelling for the next three Fridays. Carla Dowlen is excited that baseball season is starting and she can watch relatives play games. Will Goodner bragged on Legacy Basketball teams and players. Lance Spruiell’s daughter won the opportunity to be one of four to climb to the top of Seattle’s Space Needle to retrieve a flag after the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win!
Today, February birthdays were recognized. Mark Wise on the second. Alan Donaldson on the fourteenth. Colton Heinrich on the eighteenth. Steve Priester on the nineteenth.
Cheyenne Garcia with the Legacy High School Band came up to the podium and thanked us. Rotary helped her be able to go on the trip to London to march in the New Year’s Day Parade. Everyone on the trip wore Whataburger Beanies. Londoners were all talking about the Whataburger Beanies, everywhere the band members went. Then Cheyenne opened her heart and told us how this trip changed her. She lost her mother four years ago. She said she felt she had only been surviving these last years, not living. Then she got on the plane to London on December 28th for her first trip out of the country. Things started to change for her as the plane continued to London. Visiting St. Paul’s Cathedral, she said she felt peace. Although the cold weather for the parade was brutal, she said that it was worth it completely. Cheyenne was talking about resilience, the power of perspective, how to keep pushing forward, pushing forward when things are difficult, that circumstances do not restrict her, and that she is overwhelmed with gratitude. Everyone in the room gave her a standing ovation.
We had one Blue Badge Presentation: Kirk Peterson sponsored by Alan Donaldson. Congratulations to Kirk!
Alan Donaldson reminded us of a Membership Drive Social on February 19 at 5:30 pm at Taco Darlin located at 4214 Kell West Blvd.
Josh Phillips then introduced Scott Reed with Rathgeber Hospitality House. Scott Reed is the Executor Director of Rathgeber Hospitality House which provides service above self and for others. When accident or serious illness happens, changes occur. Family must ask the question of where are we going to stay while family members are treated at a medical facility? Most families are on a tight budget. Rathgeber Hospitality House is an economical alternative. Most hotels are $125 per night or more. Rathgeber Hospitality House asks for a suggested donation of $40 per night. In 2024, the facility was used by guests for 4,501 guest days. Family can be better caregivers after a good night’s sleep. A father was able to be with his daughter in hospice before she passed. One couple was able to be close to their child in NICU for four weeks until they were able to take the child home. Rathgeber Hospitality House is more than lodging; it is a community within four walls. Their staff cares and shows it every day. Wichita Falls is lucky to have Rathgeber Hospitality House in our community.
On conclusion of the program, Cara said that there will be a donation made to the WFISD Foundation in the name Scott Reed and Rathgeber Hospitality House.
After the Four Way Test, we adjourned.