Andy McFarlane, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee United Way, explained how the organization mobilizes donors, volunteers, businesses, and nonprofit sector partners to address community needs during this week’s Rotary meeting.  McFarlane said the United Way addresses the broad impact areas of education, health, and financial stability by helping fund programs offered by 16 local nonprofit agencies.  He said there are also specific United Way sponsored initiatives such as the 211-referral helpline, the ALICE (Asset Limited Income Constrained Employed) Report, and Day of Caring that help improve lives by sharing community resources.

 

The 211-referral helpline is a nationwide initiative led by United Ways across the country.  Kishwaukee United Way provides funding for services in DeKalb County.  It is a 24-hour a day, seven-day a week year-round free and confidential referral service to over 100 local agencies that offer programs to help those in need.  Simply dial 211 from your phone to be connected or visit www.findhelp211.org on the web.

 

The ALICE report provides detailed data on affordability of various basic living needs.  These include housing, food, health care, and transportation.  It also identifies gaps in availability and cost of services for things like childcare and access to technology.  The report can be used by public officials and the nonprofit sector to focus on priorities for improving availability and efficiency of important local services.

 

The Kishwaukee United Way Annual Day of Caring is an example of its efforts to mobilize volunteers to partner with local nonprofits to improve the quality of life in DeKalb County.  Projects include help with food drives, reading and crafts with preschool children, landscaping, painting, and more. 

 

McFarlane invited Rotarians to help support the outreach and impact of Kishwaukee United Way.  The United Way is holding a fundraising reception on Tuesday, November 17, from 5-7 PM at Whiskey Acres (use this link to purchase tickets: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/united-for-good-a-fall-gathering)  Various listings of information and opportunities to volunteer with Kishwaukee United Way are available on their website at www.kishunitedway.org.

Representatives from the “Gift of Hope” non-profit  explained the impact of organ, eye, and tissue donations during this week’s Rotary meeting.  Jonathan Chavez represented the non-profit agency, Joy Beach gave a mother’s perspective after losing a son from severe trauma in a motorcycle accident, and Chiropractor Arun Mani gave a testimonial as a tissue recipient.

 

Chavez went through a number of questions about organ, eye, and tissue donations that make up the “Gift of Hope” for thousands of  people on waiting lists for life-saving transplants.  His purpose was to demonstrate that age or existing health conditions will not limit the impact that can be made by registering as a donor.  He cited the examples of Cecil who was 95 and still donated a liver plus tissue specimens for 20 people and 98-year-old Orville who was an organ donor for a liver transplant.  Chavez explained that even conditions like diabetes do not preclude  a person from being an organ donor.  Chavez also spoke on how compassion and understanding are at the forefront of how the transplant donation is approached with the family of the donor so they understand how their loved one can make such a difference on the lives of those needing life-saving surgery.

 

For Joy Beach, the traumatic brain injury suffered by her son, John, in a motorcycle accident brought unexpected awareness about “Gift of Hope” after learning he was a registered donor.  She said he was always the kind of person who wanted to help others.  He would shovel snow at a school, help people stranded along the side of the road who had a flat tire, and because of his donation wishes, he helped six people with live-saving transplants plus another 66 through tissue donations.  Beach and her family continue to remember John by organizing a yearly road cleanup that has included some of the donor recipients.  This has also prompted her to become an advocate on behalf of  “Gift of Hope” by sharing John’s story with others.

 

Dr. Arun Mani is a chiropractor from St. Charles and a Rotarian in the combined Geneva-St. Charles Club.  He said his professional training helped him understand how a tissue transplant was needed for his knee surgery and the impact it made when it became possible.

The speakers encouraged meeting attendees to register as organ donors if they have not already done so and were united in their message of how this saves lives.  More details are available at the “Gift of Hope” website – www.giftofhope.org.    

October 25, 1983 – The Caribbean island of Grenada is invaded by the U.S. to, in the words of President Ronald Reagan, “…restore order and democracy…” following a political coup and execution of their Prime Minister. 

 

October 26, 1825 – The Erie Canal opens and becomes the first major man-made waterway in America.  It links Lake Erie with the Hudson River and takes eight years to complete.

 

October 27, 1904 – The New York City subway begins operating.  It is the first underground and underwater rail system in the world.

 

October 29, 1886 – The Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor.  It is a gift from the people of France commemorating the French-American alliance during the American Revolutionary War. 

October 19, 1781 – British General Lord Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington at Yorktown effectively ending the Revolutionary War (although the final peace treaty is not signed until September 1783).

 

October 20, 1944 – During World War II in the Pacific, General Douglas MacArthur set foot on Philippine soil for the first time since his escape in 1942, fulfilling his promise, “I shall return.”

 

October 21, 1805 – The British thwart Napoleon’s invasion of England by defeating a combined French and Spanish fleet in the Battle of Trafalgar.

 

October 21, 1879 – Thomas Edison successfully tests an electric incandescent lamp at his Menlo Park, New Jersey laboratory keeping it lit for 13 hours.

October 25, 1881 – Abstract artist Pablo Picasso is born in Malaga, Spain.  His controversial sculpture in Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago was dedicated August 15, 1967.    

 

October 27, 1858 – 26^th President of the United States, “Teddy” Roosevelt, is born in New York City.  Perhaps his most famous quote is “speak softly and carry a big stick.”

 

October 28, 1914 – Dr. Jonas Salk is born in New York City.  He famously leads research that develops a vaccine to prevent polio and declines to pursue a patent in order to promote its global distribution.

 

October 30, 1735 – The 2^nd President of the United States and one of the country’s Founding Fathers, John Adams, is born in Braintree, Massachusetts.

October 18, 1939 – Chicago football legend and Hall of Fame member “Iron Mike” Ditka is born in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.  He passed away on October 9 of this year at the age of 86.

 

October 20, 1632 – British architect Christopher Wren is born in Wilshire, England.  Considered one of the greatest minds of his time, he designed the famous St. Paul’s Cathedral in London plus 52 other churches and various government buildings in the city as well.

 

October 20, 1882 – Hungarian born actor Bela Lugosi, best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula in the 1931 horror film, is born in the city of Lugos. 

 

October 21, 1917 – Modern jazz great Dizzy Gillespie is born in Cheraw, South Carolina.  The trumpet virtuoso and improviser was also an accomplished composer and band leader.