Last week we welcomed WQAD-TV 8 Co-Anchor of “Good Morning Quad Cites.”, Angie Sharp to the club. Angie is a native of Downer's Grove, Illinois, whose family roots run deep in the Illinois Quad Cities. Both of her parents are UTHS grads. Her grandparents and many relatives still reside in and around East Moline. When it came time for college, Angie chose to follow her father's path and earn her Bachelor's degree from Augustana College. She has remained in the Quad Cities since graduation. In her presentation, Angie noted, there are two types of Anchors, those who join a local TV station for the short-term experience, and those, like her, who join a local station and intend to put down roots and become an active and long-serving steward of their communities. Angie is devoted to numerous causes such as the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and Family Resources. 

 

Angie told us of the local support and generous community giving by WQAD. Many of us may have heard the station's phrase "Hard Work and Determination". According to Angie, the phrase is meant to describe the way in which the station approaches the news and the community. The over 50 employees of the newsroom including photographers, producers, Anchors and the unseen newsroom employee, take great pride in delivering fact-checked news with integrity. As a local station, WQAD offers us the news of the day be it politics, crime, scientific achievements, or news much closer to home, such as the local blood drive.

 

These local stories are part of the pride of the station. WQAD has developed a number of community outreach initiatives. A few favorites of our guest speaker are: Pay It Forward, the Jefferson Awards, and the S.O.A.R. Scholarships.

 

Many thanks to Angie for staying awake after a long day of work to share your story and the story of WQAD with us (she goes in at 3 AM, yikes!). Thanks also to Laura Davis for arranging the program. 

 

Fellow Rotarian, whether you have been a member for a few weeks or a few decades you know that the Rotary Foundation (ie Paul Harris Fellowship) is the heartbeat or the fuel to allow all the good that our organization does internationally. 
 
One hundred years ago a simple gift of $26.50 started the funding arm of our organization. This year, Rotary International challenged all of us to start our journey toward becoming a Paul Harris Fellow, or build on it, to help honor the oldest service group in the world. That's why we've asked each Moline Rotarian to match that original gift of $26.50. About half of our members have answers that call. As Rotarians we are asked to put service above self. What greater sign of this then to be able to say our club had 100% support of this goals. 
 
Yes this is a ask for money, but as a club our service above self is shown one of two ways. Either financial support or service hours. Some can do both, some cannot. With only a few days left won't you accept the challenge and bring in a check for $26.50 this coming week and help us realize this goal? 
 
This is your club, this is Rotary's tribute to the past and celebration of the future. I ask you to consider this one last milestone so that our club can celebrate being one of the few clubs to make this reality. $26.50 is a tank of gas, a nice dinner with a loved one but that sacrifice means so much more to people that seek things we take for granted like clean water, food, books to read and so much more. 
 
The challenge is in front of you with no time left.  If you are a Rotarian that has not participated please bring your check next week and let's celebrate together.  The sacrifice is small but the feeling will last forever.  

Have you wondered what the difference between the Moline Rotary Foundation and the Rotary Foundation is? With two very similar names, many of us do have this question.

 

In this issue of the SMILE you'll see two requests: one from club President, Tim Smith asking for you to support the anniversary of Rotary International with a foundation gift of $26.50; and one from our club asking you to support our Moline Rotary Foundation with a donation to Birdies for Charity. It can be confusing.

 

Below is a chart to help explain where the funds you give will be distributed. A really wonderful aspect of both of these options is that you are able to designate where your funds go. Do you want to support Birdies but only want your funds to go to TLC? Let our Moline Rotary Foundation Treasurer, Kent Crippen know. What about Rotary International, are you only interested in supporting the clean water initiatives? You can choose just that, it's up to you! You can also find this chart on the tables next week or on our website. 

 

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For those of you who are musically inclined, here is a bit of humor for you in the form of very specific sheet music notations, courtesy of classicfm.com. 

 

"Slowly (Tempe di PBS documentary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Play like you've had too  much wine to drink"