In Loving Memory of Don McGonigal March 28, 1927 - January 7, 2024
Don McGonigal, a pillar of strength, passed away on January 7, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of love and dedication that will forever be etched in the hearts of those who had the privilege of knowing him.
Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth McGonigal; daughter, Sandy McGonigal; and son-in-law, John Iverson. He is survived by his loving children, Kathy Iverson, William A. (Sue) McGonigal, and Patrick (Kelly) McGonigal; a testament to the enduring family bonds he nurtured. Don's legacy lives on through his 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and six great-great-grandchildren, as well as the countless nieces and nephews who were touched by his warmth and wisdom.
In the prime of his life, Don established a successful construction company, a testament to his dedication and work ethic. His impact, however, extended beyond the professional realm. Don was a dedicated Rotarian, devoting an incredible 55 years to Rotary, attending weekly meetings regularly until his recent illness. His commitment went beyond mere attendance; he earned the distinguished title of Paul Harris Fellow +2, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the Rotary ideals and seven worldwide focus areas of Rotary International.
Don's influence reached far and wide as he actively recruited his son Pat McGonigal to join the Rotary in Bellevue. Over the years, his involvement in various Rotary Committees exemplified his passion for service. Notably, Don served as Rotary's representative to the College World Series, where his role as Team Host left a lasting impact on all who crossed his path.
To honor his remarkable contributions, President Larry Guenther has declared January 24, 2024, as Don McGonigal Day at Rotary. This day is a tribute to a man who embodied the spirit of Rotary, leaving an indelible mark on the organization and the lives he touched.
Let us remember Don for his enduring legacy of love, service, and the profound impact he made on Rotary and the community at large. May his spirit continue to inspire us all to live a life of purpose and compassion.
Dan Curran is the Executive Director of the Nebraska Business Development Center (NBDC) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In this role he leads the statewide outreach for NBDC, builds collaborative efforts across all four campuses of the University of Nebraska and supports the University’s economic development mission to help grow the economy of Nebraska.
Prior to this role, Dan was Executive Director of Intern Nebraska – Powered by Aksarben. He helped design and implement programming for the Intern Nebraska program, a partnership launched between Aksarben Foundation and Nebraska Department of Economic Development.
Dan previously worked for the Nebraska Department of Economic Development for over 29 years. For the last six years of his tenure, Dan served as Deputy Director of Programs where he managed agency programs for domestic and international business recruitment, innovation, business retention and expansion, housing, community development, legislative policy and marketing. He oversaw a staff of over 80 employees situated across Nebraska.
Dan and his wife, Angie, have been married for 29 years and have two sons, Ben and Alex.
Recently, Membership Chair Franco Gentile, introduced our newest Rotarian Jill Keesbury. Dr. Jill Keesbury is the Senior Director of Global Access at Medicines360, which is a non-profit pharmaceutical organization. She leads efforts to expand access to the hormonal IUD, Avibela™ in 88 low- and middle-income countries. In this role, she works with Ministries of Health, global partners, distribution partners, and procurers to ensure AVIBELA’s availability, quality, and affordability.
Jill has championed expanding access to contraceptives across the world for nearly twenty years. She brings a deep understanding of global health systems, reproductive health programming and research, and has long-term experience living and working in Africa. She served as the founding Country Director of the Population Council’s office in Zambia, led regional research and advocacy activities in East, Central, and West Africa, and oversaw health systems strengthening strategies for Management Sciences for Health.
She joined Medicines360 from the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Hawaii, Manoa, where she was an East-West Center Fellow.
Rotary's temporary meeting location will be Johnny's Cafe for January 2024 while Trinity addresses the lighting issues in our usual function room. Please note that there is a temporary change in the lunch price at Johnny's, now set at $14. We anticipate returning to Trinity by the first week of February once the lighting is resolved. We are grateful to Vanessa Clark for accommodating us at the Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Stay informed about our meeting locations by checking our website, and be sure to read The Whirl for the latest news on the Rotary Club of Omaha. Your patience is greatly appreciated.
Rotarians are making a difference at Stephen Center. CLICK HERE to sign up.
Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction, and poverty. Stephen Center has served the homeless and low-income in Omaha since 1984 through its three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program, and Transitional Living Program. The Omaha Downtown Rotary partners with Stephens Center in serving hot meals to its residents.
Pictured here are the January volunteers L to R:Mike Mancuso, Fletcher Reel, Steve McCollister, Scott Kinnaird, Colleen Brennan (Future Rotarian), Franco Gentile, Jim Stewart, and another Future Rotarian.
The Honor Roll Committee is currently busy with preparations and fundraising for the 97th Honor Roll, which is scheduled for April 30, 2024. As the event was conducted virtually for the last three years, the preparations required are massive. The middle schools that participate in the annual Honor Roll had a popular request that it be held in person again. Many Rotarians have already pledged to support the 97th Honor Roll event, and their pledges are listed below in the order they were received:
Hal Daub, John and Viv Ewing, Bill and Gretchen Harvey, Deb Skinner, Larry Guenther, John Mock, John Marburger, Todd Johnson, Heather Legge, Tobi Mathouser, Dawn Gonzalez, Michelle Trawick, Susan Koesters, Jim Suttle, Tom Gouttierre, Brad Burklund, Jim Stewart, Dianne Desler, Lisa Tonjes Moritz, Brett Frevert, Fr. Lloyd Gnirk, Paul Cohen, LeRoy Swedlund, Fletcher Reel, Jim Murphy, Omaha Downtown Rotary Foundation, Okley Gibbs, Camille Metoyer-Moten, Bob Keefer, Yolanda Hoffman, Gene DeBoer, Steve Carper, James Mackiewicz, Adam Leong, Steve McCollister, Heidi McGinness, Kevin Baitey
If you have not yet submitted your pledge, please email Yolanda at director@omaharotary.org or click the amount to donate: $125$250$500$1,000. Your donation is fully tax-deductible.
Our annual Christmas Tree recycling service project in partnership with the city government and Boy Scouts was a huge success. Big thanks to all our volunteers! Justin Dougherty, John Sullivan, Scott Kinnaird, John Mock, Matt Boulay, Steve Carper and his son, Kerry Finnegan, Jill Slupe, Brad Burklund, Hal Daub, Brett Frevert, Duncan Murphy, Bill Harvey, Bob Harvey, and Todd Johnson.
L to R: Hal Daub, Brett Frevert, Duncan Murphy, Brad Burklund, and Mrs. Murphy
L to R: Yolanda Hoffman, Bill Harvey, Bob Harvey, and Todd Johnson
The Rotary Club of Omaha is now recruiting more members! It's your opportunity to join the Rotary Club of Omaha, click here to complete the membership application form. For questions, please contact Membership Chair Franco Gentile at FGentile@sbgtv.com.
Earl Knauss got a lesson in food waste when he received a neighbor’s gift of three bushels of red peppers that had been cast aside by a farm because they were misshapen. “I discovered that odd-shaped, blemished, and imperfect vegetables were dumped or destroyed,” says Knauss, of the Rotary Club of Hamburg in western New York state. He asked the farm’s owner for more of the unsalable produce and collected 18-gallon totes of vegetables that he sent to food pantries. The Farm to Family project has since expanded to include three farms, and the Hamburg club formally adopted it in 2018. From May to December, Rotary members and friends work alongside Knauss delivering vegetables to about 3,000 families. In 2022, they provided more than 100,000 pounds of vegetables to 23 distribution sites. Among them is the Resurrection Life Food Pantry in Cheektowaga, where pantry director Kim Reynolds says the site would not have many fresh vegetables without the program. “Our clients rely on Farm to Family to fill that gap,” she says.
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Much of the milk produced in Peru never leaves the farm: It’s consumed directly by farming families, fed to calves, and used to make artisanal cheeses. The Rotary E-Club of Fusión Latina Distrito 4465 teamed up with the nonprofit CEDEPAS Norte to help subsistence farmers in the country’s northern highlands. Last year the club delivered stainless steel presses and molds to open two cheese production facilities. A global grant of more than $50,000 helped pay for the equipment, training, management, and marketing. “So far there are 21 new employees and 63 families served, and 25 pregnant cows were gifted” through the Peruvian government program Agroideas, says Club President Fernando Barrera, who lives in Trujillo.
Jim Cavanaugh
Paul Cohen Sean Connolly
Hal Daub
Gene DeBoer Dianne Desler
John Ewing
Viv Ewing
Brett Frevert
Dawn Gonzales
Okley Gibbs
Larry Guenther
Dee Haj Bill Harvey
Gretchen Harvey
Yolanda Hoffman
Bob Keefer
Susan Koesters
John Marburger
Steve McCollister
Camille Metoyer-Moten
Lloyd Meyer
Jim Murphy
Jim Scott-Miller
Mike Schlickbernd
Jim Stewart
Michelle Trawick
Aileen Warren
DAN CURRAN
Recently, Membership Chair Franco Gentile, introduced our newest Rotarian Jill Keesbury. Dr. Jill Keesbury is the Senior Director of Global Access at Medicines360, which is a non-profit pharmaceutical organization. She leads efforts to expand access to the hormonal IUD, Avibela™ in 88 low- and middle-income countries. In this role, she works with Ministries of Health, global partners, distribution partners, and procurers to ensure AVIBELA’s availability, quality, and affordability.
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