For the month of September the Longmont Rotary Club will be raising funds to prevent teen suicide.   The club will be doing some cycling and walking activities-adding some FUN to our campaign. It’s also a way to promote our fundraiser to others, encouraging the promotion of  Rise Against Suicide, a local non-profit which provides care to at-risk youth struggling with suicidal ideation. 

This month long fundraiser has included local walking or cycling events along with the main cycling ride on September 23rd, with the Rotary Clubs of Colorado partnering with the Denver Century Ride to ride 25-100 miles.

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?  

We are encouraging all participants to sign up by by clicking on this link--> Cycling to Serve .   The Cycling to Serve website is a free fundraising platform and fun event page for Rotarians and Rotary clubs to raise money to fund their service projects organized by the Rotary Clubs of Colorado.

Step #1:  Sign up at the Website, COCyclingtoServe to be a registered team member.  Doing this will create the opportunity to fundraise or donate to this cause.   All donations are tax-deductible and go directly to our Longmont Charity Fund. 

 Scan this link to be directed to the Longmont Rotary Cycling to Serve site.

Give with confidence, knowing that your generosity will be put to highly efficient use. Charity Navigator has awarded Rotary it’s top rating – 100% and 4 Stars – 16 years straight. 

Step #2:  Sign up for our local club events, the cycle or walk challenge.  It’s designed to be fun and you can challenge yourself as you see fit. We will be offering some “awards” (notice the quotes), beverage and snacks at the event start locations. 

Step # 3:  If you prefer to write a check, we love that too.  Checks are written to our Longmont Charity Fund.  

1. Give the check to our Rotary Club Foundation Treasurer, Debbie Platts  OR a Rotary Club Team member (listed below) or Mail your check to:
   Longmont Rotary Charity Fund, PO Box 6411, Longmont, CO 80501
2. Write “Cycling to Serve” & "Longmont Rotary" on the memo line, so we can know to thank you. 
3. For a Tax Receipt, include a return address or email.
4. Jot down these instructions, then close this online donation window.

Your support and generosity are tremendously appreciated. 

Get involved and make a difference in the community to support and protect our youth!  

Wolfram Kasemir, CU Electrical Engineering graduate, shared with the club the purpose of cloud seeding used to stimulate a potential rain cloud to grow and produce more rain in a specific area.  It can be used to enhance winter snowfall in the mountains; used for fire abatement or to supplement the water supply for rivers and farm land. 

The history of cloud seeding stems from Vincent Schaefer, an American chemist and meteorologist who developed cloud seeding in 1946.  He figured out that rain drops form around tiny particles called condensation nuclei.  Silver iodide is used to stimulate this process by attracting moisture and tiny smoke particles. The chemical reaction when water changes from gas to liquid produces heat. When this happens inside the cloud, it creates an updraft, causing the cloud to grow.   The concentration of iodine in precipitation from seeded clouds if far below the concentration found in iodized table salt. 

Wolfram has had the opportunity to make rain in the Libyan desert.  Wolfram recalled the rain came down like “cats and dogs”.  On the second day of constant rain, Gaddafi told the science team, “we have plenty of rain, now make it stop!”.  The rain continued for another day and left a flooded city behind. After Libya, Wolfram traveled to Bettles, Alaska, a remote Eskimo village above the arctic circle, to help with their fire abatement needs. 

Wolfram interweaved some sweet tales of how he met his wife while in Libya.  Thank you Wolfram for sharing your scientific mind and your thoughtful romantic heart!