Last weeks speaker was Rev. Dwight Ford, Executive Director of Project NOW.
Rev. Dwight Ford is the seventh Executive Director of Project NOW. Prior to serving at Project NOW he was Executive director of the Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership and Executive Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center in Rock Island. He was born in Crystal Springs, Mississippi and reared in Rock Island, Illinois. Upon graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and successfully completed a six-year military career. Director Ford holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Illinois University and a Master of Divinity degree from Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is currently a Doctoral student in a dual program at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL.
Project NOW provides a broad range of services to help meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency. The organization strives to eliminate the causes of poverty through strategic initiatives and alleviate the negative conditions where poor people live through strategic partnerships. They work towards our mission by addressing issues of poverty and aging in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. Their services include Head Start kindergarten readiness for 330 children ages 3-5 years; utility assistance for over 7000 households; food assistance; rent and deposit assistance; transitional housing; permanent, safe, affordable, housing; emergency needs assistance (dental, car repairs); emergency furnace repair/replacement; and Weatherization services. They also serve over 2000 Seniors with home-delivered meals, congregate meal sites, information and assistance, and door-to-door transportation through our RIM Rural Transit program.
Project Now is one of over 1000 Community Action Agencies that cover nearly every county in America. Community Action Agencies sprang from the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 officially declaring a War on Poverty.
Rev. Ford presented a very compelling presentation about poverty and the effect it has on communities throughout the Quad Cities area, the US, and the world.
Thank you, Rev. Ford, for the hard work you do to take care of those in need.
New Moline Rotarian, Kirk Marske, addresses the club after being inducted last Monday. Congratulations and welcome, Kirk!
Mike Crotty and His Uncle Richard
Below is an account of the story Mike Crotty told at Rotary, regarding his uncle Dick Crotty, who was killed in Korea during the Korean War and was never found (MIA) until his remains were recently found, processed, and identified. Mike Crotty, being the oldest living relative, had the privilege of receiving the remains and seeing to his interment in Peoria. A standing ovation resulted from Mike presenting this story at Rotary...
From Mike: Dick Crotty was my Dad's younger brother. Dick enlisted into the US Army in the early 1950's. Dick was assigned to Easy Company 2nd Infantry Division during the Korean War. Dick's company arrived in South Korea in July 1950. In August 1950 the company was assigned to drive the North Korean forces back. The night of August 31, 1950, intense fighting ensued through the night and Dick's company was ambushed. There were many fatalities. Richard Crotty was reported missing in action.
Over the next 73 years Dick Crotty was MIA. Then, in February 2023, I got a phone call from Fort Knox, KY explaining that Dick's remains had been identified. Since I am the oldest living relative, everything came to me. On Tuesday, April 23, 2023, Dick's remains were shipped to Chicago, and then to his final resting place in Peoria, Illinois. On Saturday, April 29, there was a service honoring Richard Crotty and his ultimate sacrifice to the United States. The honors that the US Army showed my Uncle Dick has been over the top.
Dictionaries
Dictionaries were successfully handed out to Moline 3rd Graders. Here are scenes from three of the classrooms! Thank you again Jenni Swanson and all the volunteers who made this possible!!
Gary Francque at Jane Adams
Melinda Urban at Bicentennial Elementary
Sam Moyer at Roosevelt
Youth Exchange
Meet Miguel. We have been assigned a 16yo male student from Brazil for the 2023 - 24 school year. But without a host family (or two) we will not be able to host him! Please reach out to those you might think could help host this fine young man!
All Rotary Happy Hour
The Iowa-side Rotary clubs are hosting an All Rotary Happy Hour 4-7pm on May 11th at Crawford Brew Works in Bettendorf! All are welcome and it’s great social event to bring any prospective members to as well. Here is a link to the flyer.
RYLA
RYLA 2023 registrations are up to 65 students. District 6420 had hoped to reach 50, so response is encouraging. Moline Rotary Club sponsoring four students. Trophy World, Moline was recognized for donating 70 RYLA engraved pens for the students' camp bags. Thank you Moline Rotarian Scott Preston, owner.
6420 Training
Gary Francque reported on the 2023 District 6420 Training Assembly held at Sauk Valley College on April 22nd. Gary Francque was a presenter regarding the District's Youth Protection Policy. District Governor for the 2023-24 Rotary year will be Dave Emerick from East Moline - Silvis Rotary Club, taking office July 1st. Two of Governor Emerick's focuses will be hunger and support of food pantries, and awareness education regarding human trafficking in the U.S.
Gift Certificate Give-a-way Alert!!
During each month, Rotarians can earn tickets that go into a jar. One ticket for every time you participate in a club service project, two tickets for each guest, five tickets if you sponsor a new member. During the last meeting of the month, we pull a name and give the card.
The Four-Way Test: Of the things we think, say, or do: Is it the Truth? Is it Fair to all concerned? Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships? Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
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Project NOW provides a broad range of services to help meet basic needs and achieve self-sufficiency. The organization strives to eliminate the causes of poverty through strategic initiatives and alleviate the negative conditions where poor people live through strategic partnerships. They work towards our mission by addressing issues of poverty and aging in Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer Counties in Illinois. Their services include Head Start kindergarten readiness for 330 children ages 3-5 years; utility assistance for over 7000 households; food assistance; rent and deposit assistance; transitional housing; permanent, safe, affordable, housing; emergency needs assistance (dental, car repairs); emergency furnace repair/replacement; and Weatherization services. They also serve over 2000 Seniors with home-delivered meals, congregate meal sites, information and assistance, and door-to-door transportation through our RIM Rural Transit program.
Below is an account of the story Mike Crotty told at Rotary, regarding his uncle Dick Crotty, who was killed in Korea during the Korean War and was never found (MIA) until his remains were recently found, processed, and identified. Mike Crotty, being the oldest living relative, had the privilege of receiving the remains and seeing to his interment in Peoria. A standing ovation resulted from Mike presenting this story at Rotary...
During each month, Rotarians can earn tickets that go into a jar. One ticket for every time you participate in a club service project, two tickets for each guest, five tickets if you sponsor a new member. During the last meeting of the month, we pull a name and give the card.
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