Club Assembly took place - and what a great number of services Smoky Hill Rotary provides both locally and internationally!

 

Foundation Committee:  Lloyd shared that our Foundation contributions average $270 per member and that we exceeded our goal of $500 for polio plus.  He also shared that 27 out of 30 members donated to the Foundation this past year.  Foundation dollars have helped eradicate polio - there are only 37 cases reported world wide this year!  Foundation dollars also help in places like Montenegro where Rotary dollars helped insure that of 640 births in one hospital resulted in 0 deaths!

 

Club Services:  Terry reports that we just completed a successful Charter Night.  We can look forward to a social event in March or April and then there will be the Installation dinner.  If you have suggestions for activities you'd like to see, please talk with Terry.

 

Membership:  Clay encourages us all to take responsibility for membership.  What's great about Rotary?  Why do you remain active?  Fellowship, busy, good food, great people, educational opportunities, networking - all good reasons to promote Rotary!

 

Community Service:  Talee shared our list of community service accomplishments this year:  306 pairs of socks for the 180 program; 43 gifts for Century Elementary students plus Christmas shopping; 30 backpacks filled for homeles youth and 56 hats collected;  dinner prepared and served 3x at Ronald McDonald House; Arts & Crafts Night at Children's Hospital; $1000 in gift cards for the Battered Women's Shelter; Peaceful Schools - 4 sessions this past Fall and one day of Habitat for Humanity! 

 

International Committee:  Betsy shared that we have agreed and committed to participating in the Shelter Box program and will be Shelter Box heros for the next 3 years!  A 'shelter box' contains a tent and other emergency supplies that can take care of a family of 4 for a few days until emergency responders can get to them during a natural disaster.  The International Committee has a budget of $3200.  We have provided support to Mercy Hospital in India, committed to assistance with a maternity ward in Romania, looking at assisting with 'Breathing for Life in Ethiopia and another opportunity in Uganda next year.

 

Vocation Committee:  Mark talked about scholarships.  We will be doing a $2000 scholarship to a Rangeview student and will continue to provide scholarships to Pikin Tech.  We will also be taking part in a food packing event as part of one of our meetings in the near future.  Vocational Bio's  - Mark is asking and getting little response - please send him your bio!

RYLA:  Craig was not with us today, however, there will be 3 slots available to Rangeview and another 6 slots available to DAVA.  Applications are being completed at this time and $4000 has just been paid out to cover 9 spots between RYLA and Young RYLA.  Consider volunteering for one of the conferences!

 

 

 

Today we were off site at The Medical Center of Aurora.  TMCA provided us a heart healthy lunch and good education on how best to take care of our hearts and our overall health.  Adria Trentzsch and Lauren Tartal were our primary presenters.  They did a fantastic power point for us.  Some highlights of what we learned:

 

*  Heart Disease is the #1 cause of death in the USA.

*  Over 2100 Americans die of cardiovascular disease EVERY day.

*  This is an average of 1 death every 40 seconds!

*  Men over 45 and women over 55 are at risk and higher risk if there is a family history

*  Current cigarette smoker - best option is to quit!

*  People with diabetes are high risk

*  People with chronic kidney disease are higher risk

 

'The majority of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke are modifiable by preventive measures including therapeutic lifestyle changes and adjunctive drug therapies of proven benefit.'

 

This means things we all know:

 

*  Healthy diet made up of fruits and vegetables, fiber, foods on the low glycemic index, monounsaturated fats and Omega-3 fatty acids.

*  Exercise!  Walking 30 minutes a day and weight management.

 

Did you know that just 1 year after you quit smoking, you'll cut your risk of coronary heat disease by 50%?  Pretty good incentive!!

 

The Medical Center of Aurora offers a CORONARY CALCIUM SCAN for just $79.  Heart disease is caused by the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.  This scan tells you how extensive your plaque build up is.  If your score is high, they can get you on the right path to prolong your life.  This test does not require a doctors order and takes about 30 minutes from start to results.  Interested>  Call 303-360-3770.

 

Following this very informative session, some of us took a tour of the Cath Lab and ER areas.  Brian was our fearless leader and manages the ER.  From the time you arrive at the doors of the ER with a cardiac problem to arrival in the cath lab and saving your life happens in as little at 40 minutes at the Medical Center of Aurora!  The national guideline is 90 minutes!  For those of you in Aurora, for your editarian who has a sister seconds away from this ER - we can all rest easy knowing our loved one stand a really good chance of survival if they end up here!  Brian is a passionate man who loves what he does and it was evident that his team also enjoys what they do each and every day.

 

For more information, there are many great websites about heart health.

 

Thank you to our Program Committee for making this happen!

Thank you to Al Horton who organized the craft night at Children's Hospital.  We had lots of traffic through the lobby and some delightful kiddo's joined us to make some valentines and have their faces painted.  We also got a bit of a tour of the hospital - what a compliment to the city of Aurora!  This is a beautiful hospital and filled with truly caring people!

 

Getting ready for customers and you can see some of the choices available if seeking inspiration!

 

Lady is red talking with Susan and Al is Susan's sister, Lisa, who was very popular with one little kiddo!