Showing posts with label rotary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rotary. Show all posts

Lights, Camera, Auction - help Shoreline Rotary raise funds for student scholarships

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

By Clarita Bhat

This message comes to you all with much appreciation and the best wishes for this lovely Season when we remember to be thankful for all we have.

This year I am chair of the Shoreline Rotary Auction committee. It is our main fundraiser, and will be held Saturday, March 18, 2023 in the Innis Arden Clubhouse. (Information and tickets here)

I am now approaching you in the larger community for your help in this important event. I have been involved in the two previous auctions and have seen how you supported this effort.

The funds raised will help to continue our work for the community and even abroad. This year, besides those ongoing projects, we are focusing on Scholarships and the Canopy Scholars program. 

These aim to assist students to be able to continue their education and to be brought up to speed in the very needed STEM area. It has been my passion for many years to try to help students and that is one of the reasons I am happy to chair the Auction.

I am very fortunate to have a super committee to work with.

On November 4, 2022 I attended the Student Success Lunch at Shoreline Community College in the company of a few of our club members. We listened to speeches telling us how difficult it is for many young people these days to afford college; tuition, books, housing, food and everything else needed. I was even more inspired to try to help.

Our Auction for 2023 will be a fun and inspirational event; the theme is: Lights, Camera, Auction and it will be a Hollywood, post-Oscars party.

Please spread the word to everyone. Consider procuring donations, contributing an item or giving a cash donation. Sponsorships are very important; contact me if you or your business can sponsor the event.

Thank you again!! Please send your thoughts and ideas to me and I will be sure to bring them to our committee. Many creative minds are among this group and we love to hear from you.

Clarita Bhat
Kalrika.csaky@gmail.com



Read more...

LFP Rotary Club goes on a Hunger Strike

Monday, November 14, 2022

Washington State has over 600,000 people that are struggling with hunger and over 1/3rd of those are children.

Harvest Against Hunger, a Rotary District 5030 project, and our local food banks desperately need our help and are currently running a large fundraiser in the greater Seattle area called HUNGER STRIKE.

This District-wide event is to raise money for these great organizations that help feed these families and their children.

Here is how to get involved:

They will be bowling at Spin Alley on Richmond Beach Road on Monday, November 21, 2022.



Read more...

Lake Forest Park Rotary celebrates 36 years

Friday, October 21, 2022

Julie Hungar spoke of the challenges
 to establish female membership in Rotary
By Janette Lemmé

As the sun rose on October 5, 2022 some 40 Rotarians from the greater Seattle area gathered to celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Rotary Club of LFP.

President Scott Wands and Public Image Chair Robin Roat welcomed our guests, friends, and dignitaries – Mayor Jeff Johnson in particular - including several potential members. Welcome!

Julie Hungar, International Club member and pioneer in establishing female membership in Rotary, reviewed the history of the dramatic battle to grant membership to women in Rotary. 

Facing many attitude and legal challenges, the dispute went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. High applause to trailblazers Julie and our own Heidi Shepherd!

Julie’s inspiring historical review was followed by a poignant and heartwarming walk down memory lane as Scott gave recognition to an impressive list of members who have passed on.

Former DG Alan Merry and President Scott Wands
(with photo of Tim Davis) honoring the memory
of members who have passed on
  • To mention only a few: Tim Davis, charter member after whom our Sharing Tree is named and whose lovely wife, Jan, was present – great to see you, Jan! 
  • Ben Cashman, charter member and former mayor of LFP. 
  • Julie’s husband, Gordon Hungar, popular dentist and charter member. 
  • Judge Christy Cufley, a bright light to all who knew her. 
  • Captain Dick McNees, WWII pilot and Pearl Harbor survivor. 
  • General Dick Rainforth, also a pilot and veteran of WWII, former mayor of LFP, and charter member of our club. 
  • Dr. John Halver, world renowned fish nutrition expert. 
  • Roger Bouck, the energizer bunny instrumental in founding Rotacare. 
  • Marj Ando, illustrious editor of our valuable newsletter. 
  • And my own Busso LemmĂ©, exuberant international director for many years. 
  • Scott named a lot more amazing people, all of whom deserve our remembrance and thanks for their service to our club.

Since Silje Sodal and George Piano were unable to attend our Changing of the Guard event last June, former DG Alan Merry took this opportunity to recognize each of them belatedly as Rotarians of the Month. 

Clockwise L-R Chuck Paulsen, Dennis Day, George Piano,
LFP Police Chief Mike Harden, Bryce James,
Ed Pearson, and Jon Magnuss

It now behooves them (and previous such recipients) to recommend a non-Rotarian individual or organization who/that is worthy to receive a Certificate of Achievement. 

Heidi did so in recommending the Hunger Intervention Program to which this award was given last June.

Our thanks to all who attended. Please join us again. 

Happy birthday to the Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park, the little club that can!




Read more...

44th Annual Rotary Cup Football Game Friday, October 21, 2022

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Join us for the 44th Annual Rotary Cup football game next Friday, October 21, at Shoreline Stadium as Shorecrest and Shorewood face off for bragging rights!

Kick-off is at 7pm, but be sure to arrive early or risk missing some of the action while waiting in line to get into the biggest game of the year!

Important Rotary Cup info:Gates open at 5:30pm
  • Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for seniors (65+)
  • Tickets are free for Shorecrest and Shorewood students with ASBs
  • Tickets are $5 for middle school students accompanied by an adult and $7 if they are without an adult
  • Tickets for children and elementary students are $5
  • Cash and check are accepted for ticket purchases
  • Parking is available at the stadium and Shoreline Center
  • We recommend staying in the stands for halftime to watch the performances and be in place for the traditional "Shoreline Family Photo" that will be taken at the end of halftime for the first time since 2019.


Read more...

Dinner at the Lake Forest Grill on October 24, 2022 will help End Polio

Sunday, October 16, 2022

The Lake Forest Grill and Lake Forest Park Rotary are working together to End Polio.

Monday, October 24, 2020 at Lake Forest Grill, come eat and drink. From 5pm to 10pm 20% of proceeds will go to the eradication of polio. 
 
Take out orders made through their app during that time and call ins will be included, (but not orders on Grubhub or Doordash). 




Read more...

New year begins for Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park

Saturday, July 9, 2022

Scott Wands
By Robin Roat

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park thanked Ed Sterner for leading LFP Rotary through a challenging year. 

Despite meeting only on Zoom, five new members came on board to continue SERVICE ABOVE SELF in our community. 

President Scott Wands will preside over the new rotary year beginning July 1, 2022.

The annual Changing of the Guard dinner was held at the LFP Civic Club on June 30, 2022. 

(The event is alternately known as the LFP Comedy Hour as papers and folders went flying, not once, not twice, but . . . and Board Members scrambled to rescue the order.) 

With a western theme - yeehah!! - Eldon and Heather Gorke of Acorn Catering provided a delicious barbecued chicken and pulled pork meal with all the trimmings.

So glad to see all our new members in attendance - Maddy Larson, Terry Smith, Jill Brady, Dennis Day, and Kennis Brady - Welcome!

Alan Merry, JP Mahar, and Ed Sterner
Photo by Robin Roat
Outgoing President Ed Sterner gave awards to our club officers in recognition for excellent service throughout the 2021-2022 year.

A well-deserved standing ovation erupted as JP Mahar received the Rotarian of the Year award.

Past District Governor Alan Merry saluted the service of Carol Dahl and Mark Phillips, and others not present.

As the baton was passed, incoming-President Scott Wands introduced his new slate of officers.

Two men who exemplify service above self: a big thanks to Past President Ed Sterner, and a big welcome to our 2022-2023 President Scott Wands!! Thank you!!

Please consider joining our vibrant LFP ROTARY CLUB in the quest to serve our community and beyond.
 
Please consider joining our vibrant LFP ROTARY CLUB in the quest to serve our community and beyond. 





Read more...

Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park awards scholarships to local students

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

By Robin Roat

The annual Scholarship Awards program on May 25, 2022 again blew us away with the list of accomplishments and volunteer services by the recipients. 

Every student impressed us with personal and scholarly achievements, and future choices in academic goals. 

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park wishes each of you all the best. Keep in touch and let us hear from you next year.

These Rotary members made the presentations: Ed Pearson, Robin Roat, Jill Brady, Karen Edwardsen, and Silje Sodal.

Students receiving the awards: Chloe Bui, Ian Prosser, Lacy George, Brooke Schurman, Skylar Stark, Matthew Gardiner, Nadia Martynenko, Elizabeth, Harper Flynt, Vance Cunningham, Kate Reader 

6-1-22 updated photo

Read more...

Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park announces winners in What Peace Means to Me contest

Thursday, May 19, 2022

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 “What Peace Means To Me” Contest. 


A panel of Rotarians judged all of the entries in each of five categories of awards (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade, 3rd to 4th Grade, 5th to 8th Grade, 9th to 12th Grade, Adult, and for this year only, a Special award based on topicality). 

We were very pleased with the thoughtfulness and the wide range of genres that were represented: haiku, digital illustration, sculpture, essay, poetry, and artwork. This is the contest’s second year and we received three times the number of entries as last year. We look forward to next year’s entries!

We invite and encourage everyone interested in Rotary to investigate how we support the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” and our Peacebuilder Mission by attending one of our meetings. 

The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park meets every Wednesday via Zoom. Our virtual 7:15am and our meeting begins at 7:30am, ending promptly at 8:30am. To join the Zoom session, please use this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85142410960

We sincerely thank everyone who entered the Contest!

The winners are as follows:

Kindergarten to Second Grade Category: India Free

Third to Fifth Grade Category: Carmen Skurski

Sixth to Eighth Grade Category: Alexa Graeff

Ninth to Twelfth Grade Category:  Cadence Rotarius

(Spoken version was also submitted)

My minds a scatter plot, 
lines crossing in un-uniform ways, 
laced with different insults everyday. 
The amount of times I’ve missed my shot 
at doing something for me, 
because I didn’t live up to the expectations of who I thought I should be. 
If life’s a game why can’t I have fun
doing what I want to,
cause I’m too busy thinking about what I should do? 
When will I learn what peace means?
It’s only come to me in my dreams. 
Where the voices cease, 
and the only words I hear won’t hurt me. 
A time my heart stays in its chest,
and I have no fear cause I already know that I’m at my best. 
A life of endless possibilities. 
No holding back, having confidence in my abilities. 
This is what peace means to me. 
Stepping away from all our insecurities. 
Trusting that we will succeed, 
letting ourselves fully breathe. 
Believing that no one goes against us, 
and if they do we won’t make a fuss. 
We’re stronger than we think we are. 
Life is hard, yet we’ve made it this far. 
What’s keeping us from calming down
is the same thing causing us to walk around 
with these faulty perceptions 
and inaccurate self reflections. 
A world without these is what we need. 
This is what peace means to me. 

Ninth to Twelfth Grade Category: Cadence Rotarius
(Spoken version was also submitted)

Adult Category:  Wendy Russell

Adult Category: Wendy Russell

Special Category:  Lily Fredericks




Read more...

LFP Rotary "What Peace Means to Me" contest Special Category Award for "Knowing"

Lily's grandmother with Thomas the cat
The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park is proud to announce the winners of the 2022 “What Peace Means To Me” Contest.

A panel of Rotarians judged all of the entries in each of five categories of awards (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade, 3rd to 4th Grade, 5th to 8th Grade, 9th to 12th Grade, Adult, and for this year only, a Special award based on topicality).

You can see the winners in this article: 
https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2022/05/rotary-club-of-lake-forest-park.html

The Special Category award went to Lily Fredricks for her story Knowing.

Knowing

     I never met my mom’s relatives before.
     Growing up, we would frequent our local library to print copies of the photos they emailed us. My mom would press a cool quarter in my palm, and I’d pinch it between my fingertips to slide it in a coin slot alongside the color printer. When I did, the gray box came whirring and wheezing to life, wearily roused from its slumber.
     As the contraption set to work, my younger self imagined miniature hands painting the vivid scenes stroke by stroke and sliding them through the opening perched at the top when completed. I’d stand on the tips of my toes and peer curiously into this opening as the deftly copied masterpieces slid out one by one. When the last landed on top of the stack, my mom fished them up and gently placed the fresh sheets in my hands.
     Side by side, we looked through them together.
     Each photograph was a glimpse of another world: in them my relatives immersed themselves in exotic blooms from real life fairy tales, and swam beneath billowing blue skies in water rippling like satin. Even pixelated, I could see the sun kissed glow turn their cheeks petal pink and set their wispy fair hair ablaze.
     Warmth emanated from the pages in my grasp, and part of me yearned to believe that it was this very warmth from the sun that shone upon them. That this very warmth had traveled thousands of miles across terrain and sea just to reach me.
     My relatives were strangers: from a foreign land, with a foreign tongue.
     And yet, even residing across the globe, they always treated me as family. They remembered every birthday and filled them with well wishes; they saved every photo we mailed, even the ones we lost ourselves. They gave so much and asked for nothing.
     Even when their lives were stolen from them.
     My relatives live in Ukraine. Where the beautiful scenes my mother and I printed are burning down in real time. Where the warmth in each moment has long since dissipated, and given way to miserable cold.
     They send us new photos now. Of disheveled gray buildings vacant like carcasses. Of the orange lick of flames smoldering in brown heaps of rubble. Of the places they vacationed obliterated by detonated bombs. Of all the lively colors they used to know disintegrating into ash and coating their homeland in despair.
     But through it all their virtue rises above, a precious monument preceding all.
     It’s in the compassion they bestow those seeking refuge in their city of Berdyansk. Those whose cities have been ravaged irreconcilably, whose homes have been rendered debris. My relatives aid them, willingly sharing their food and supplies even as they struggle to obtain more.
     It’s in the bravery of my cousin's arduous journey to Poland, her life left behind for a future unknown. She lives amongst strangers in a crowded apartment she can hardly afford, bombarded by a language she doesn’t speak. Every day she is searching for a way to get her family to safety. Every day she endures immeasurable fear for the livelihood of loved ones beyond her reach.
     It’s in a photograph of my grandma, swathed in wool, standing dignified. In her arms she cradles a large gray cat with a lustrous coat. His name is Thomas, a former stray she welcomed into her humble home. Together they stand fierce and striking, a pinpoint of vibrance struck against the dire vignette of what has become of their world.
     Beneath this strength runs a current of fatigue. I feel this in her weary gaze, and knitted brow, her lips a firm line of resilient acceptance.
     I find myself returning to this single photo, wondering how much hardship it took to weave the intrinsic webs rooted in her skin, how much exertion is embedded in every crease.
     But I also wonder, how much love?
     With this hardship lies my mom and her sister, the feat of raising her daughters on her own; the tenderness and sweetness in every peach sown by her two hands; the oasis she has transformed her humble house into, selflessly aiding all those she comes across in need.
     An oasis she vows never to leave.
     Her wrinkles are a rainbow of feelings. Of every gleeful laugh exchanged in a moment’s passing, of the somber sorrow withheld for loved ones come to pass. She has the face of someone who has truly lost, truly felt. Truly lived.
     Every time I stare at this photo I realize just how precious it is to grow old, to have every emotion caress and sculpt one’s skin. I yearn for this for myself, for my family. For all the youth I’ve never met. Because not all of us get to age. Not all of us live long enough to know who we become, the futures we create. To regret, or rejoice. To find love…or even lose it.
     When I reminisce of the days I spent with my mother printing in the library, I realize how misguided my awe was. I thought the land brought out the beauty within the people, that my relatives were loving because they came from a loving place. I always saw the land in them―a part of them.
     I never saw the people in the land until they were gone, and with them, their sentience. Gone is the warmth that washed their world in hue and painted the sun golden with its supple touch; gone are plentiful futures and yearnful dreams, crushed beneath the tracks of tanks and incinerated in crackling, ravenous pyres. Their home became desolate and ruthless, plagued by vermin with ill intentions festering like weeds.
     But my relatives remain, and I see them in this land. The celebration for every triumph as their people fight back to defend it. The scars they bore brazenly, the wounds they bear now.
     The land bears wounds of its own, and they too tell this story: of purpose crossed with tragedy, of hope thwarting pain. Of the altruistic souls like my grandma who stand valiantly upon it, the sorrow and sagacity that gleams in their weary eyes, a testament to the lives they have chosen to live.
     When I hold their photos in my hands and close my eyes,
     some of their warmth still lingers with me.
     I never met my mother’s relatives, but I Know them.
     And I find peace in this Knowing.



Read more...

LFP Rotary contest: What does Peace mean to you?

Monday, March 21, 2022

 
The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park invites you to tell them what Peace means to you.

You can express yourself in any of these forms:
  • essay, poetry, haiku, short story, lyrics,
  • artwork (drawing, painting, photograph, sculpture, collage) - send photos of artwork only, no videos will be accepted
Competition categories:
  • Kindergarten to 2nd grade
  • 3rd to 5th grade
  • 6th to 8th grade
  • 9th to 12 grade
  • All adults
The competitions are open now with an end date of Saturday, April 9, 2022. The winner in each category receives a $50 gift card to Third Place Books.

Email your submissions to: lfprotarypeacebuilders@gmail.com



Read more...

What Peace Means to Me - LFP Rotary Contest

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

 
The Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park invites you to tell them what peace means to you.

Modes of Expression can be essay, poetry, haiku, short story, lyrics, artwork (drawing, painting, photograph, sculpture, collage)

Competition categories:
  • Kindergarten to 2nd grade
  • 3rd to 5th grade
  • 6th to 8th grade
  • 9th to 12th grade
  • Adult
The winner in each category will receive a $50 gift card to Third Place Books.

Deadline for submissions April 9, 2022. Email submissions to lfprotarypeacebuilders@gmail.com



Read more...

Sharing the joy of giving

Thursday, December 9, 2021

 
Photo courtesy LFP Rotary

Two new members of LFP ROTARY sharing the JOY of giving! Paul Sanford (left) and Terry Smith

They stand in front of the Rotary Giving Tree in the lower lobby of the Town Center mall. Rotary is collecting cash, checks, and gift cards for the families they support for the holidays.



Read more...

Rotary Sharing Tree needs donations to provide gifts for local children in need - can you help?

Monday, December 6, 2021

 

In spite of COVID-19, the Lake Forest Park Rotary will continue its tradition of providing gifts to local children in need.

In the past, they have asked for toys, clothing, and gifts. Because of the pandemic, they will not be able to do that this year. 

Instead they ask for your contributions of money and gift cards which will go to the Center for Human Services, the North Helpline, and Homeless Youth Gift Baskets.

You can drop off cash, checks made out to Lake Forest Park Rotary Foundation and/or gift cards to the secure drop box in the lower lobby of LFP Town Center mall, intersection of Bothell and Ballinger Way NE.

Or you can use your phone to scan the QR code in the flyer. It will take you the the Rotary webpage, which has an online donation link.

This donation drive ends December 20, 2021.



Read more...

Social Services Champions: Shorecrest Interact Club

The Shorecrest Interact Club celebrates their NUHSA award

On December 1, 2021, NUHSA (North Urban Human Services Alliance) held its annual Human Services awards, recognizing organizations and individuals doing outstanding work in our community.

Youth Human Services Leadership Award went to the Shorecrest High School Interact Club, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park.

Throughout the pandemic, president Lacy George and her team of 60+ students at Shorecrest High School created weekly COVID-safe service projects. 

These inspiring young people led food drives, cleaned up parks, wrote letters to the elderly, connected with veterans, got out the vote, made masks, and even made felt blankets that were then donated to the Shoreline Severe Weather Shelter and Mary’s Place.

They volunteer with partner organizations, like Hopelink and North Helpline, and volunteer hours with activities like Special Olympics. Every week it is a new and and impactful activity to support and build our community!

Rotary Club of Lake Forest Park is a sponsor of the club. Have questions or service opportunities? Check here.

Lacy said, “We hope that these projects can help strengthen our sense of community both within the club and beyond. It was really hard to feel connected to others during the pandemic, so doing little things for the people around us was a really nice way to stay involved.”
The future is bright with these young leaders!



Read more...

New members join Lake Forest Park Rotary club

Monday, November 15, 2021

Left: Maddy Larson. Right: Paul Sanford
New members are holding signs, accompanied by existing club members. 
Left: Terry Smith. Right: Sarah Bernard
At the beginning of November 2021, Lake Forest Park Rotary welcomed four new members to their club:
  • Sarah Bernard 
  • Maddy Larson 
  • Paul Sanford  
  • Terry Smith
These are motivated, dedicated individuals, and they can hardly wait to be of service to our community.

Lake Forest Park Rotary is always looking for individuals interested in making a positive difference in our community. We are a service based club, focused on improving lives through humanitarian partnerships.

More information about the club and our projects can be found at http://lakeforestparkrotary.com/



Read more...

LFP Rotary programs Wednesday Nov 10 and Nov 17

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

Lake Forest Park Rotary Club is excited to host the following speakers at our upcoming meetings. Meetings are at 7:30am on Wednesday mornings, and currently being held on Zoom.

Join ZOOM meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85142410960
More information can be found at: http://lakeforestparkrotary.com/


Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Speaker: JJ Kissinger


A new nonprofit, serving families who have a child with cancer. Light Collective creates a monthly day of joy and connection for families by sending a box full of activities, toys, crafts, and games. 

Light Collective cultivates communities of light in the darkness by creating safe and delightful experiences for families to make memories together while connecting to a larger community of families on a similar journey.

Wednesday, November 17
Speaker: Sasha Seiden


Bloodworks NW is an independent, non-profit organization harnessing donor gifts to provide a safe, lifesaving blood supply to 95% of hospitals in the pacific northwest. Patients depend on us.

Our physicians are specialists in transfusion medicine and provide care for patients with bleeding disorders and other conditions. Our labs offer diverse testing services to support organ and tissue transplantation as well as patient care. 

Our research institute makes scientific breakthroughs to help people live longer and healthier lives – locally, and around the world. Backed by more than 70 years of history (and previously known as Puget Sound Blood Center) we are a cornerstone of healthcare in the Northwest.



Read more...

LFP Rotary and Lake Forest Bar and Grill raise funds to End Polio

Monday, November 1, 2021

LFP Rotary collecting donations to END POLIO
Photo by Mike Remarcke

LFP ROTARIANS teamed up with Lake Forest Bar and Grill to raise funds to support the eradication of POLIO. 

Thank you so much to the Lake Forest Grill for supporting this important cause, even though it was a rough year for the restaurant industry during these Covid times. 

20% of all proceeds on the 26th of October 2021 went to END-POLIO.

The event has been well supported by the Lake Forest Park community and beyond. 



Read more...

Eat and do good - No More Polio night at Lake Forest Bar and Grill Oct 26

Thursday, October 14, 2021


LFP Rotary and Lake Forest Bar and Grill are teaming up to host a “No More Polio” Night.

It’s a celebration to endpolio.org

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 from 5-9pm.

20% of all proceeds will go to the eradication of polio.


Come dine with us…

Buy a gift-card

Do take-out







Read more...

Lake Forest Park Rotary in October will hear about donating musical instruments, preventing human trafficking, New Beginnings shelter, and pickleball in prisons

Saturday, September 4, 2021

Lake Forest Park Rotary extends an invitation to visit our club, hear a variety of interesting speakers, and to find out about our service projects. We are currently meeting on Zoom on Wednesday mornings, with social beginning at 7:15am and our meeting starting at 7:30am.

Join Zoom Meeting

September 8

Speaker: David Endicott

Topic: Music4Life provides donated and repaired musical instruments at no charge to public school districts for use by students in need.

Description: Music4Life began in 2007 as a program to help kids in Seattle Public Schools. Since then we’ve expanded to help students attending Highline, Shoreline, Edmonds, Everett, Northshore, Bremerton and Auburn Public Schools — comprising more than 166,000 students in Washington state. 

Because Music4Life is a community-based activity, we guarantee that resources developed in any of those communities are used exclusively for the benefit of kids in those communities, as long as they are enrolled there. Music4Life Booster Clubs comprised of local community leaders help us operate each of our programs. https://www.music4life.org/

September 15
Speaker: Virginia McKenzie


Topic: Puget Sound Rotary Club Against Sex Trafficking

Description: To end human trafficking, we have to prevent it before it happens. The Initiative will focus on: Raising Awareness, Educating Children and Youth, Reducing Risk Factors that make children vulnerable and Stopping the Demand. 

We encourage every Rotary Club to support local organizations working to end human trafficking to raise awareness about human trafficking, and to engage your community around this issue. For more information, please go to: https://rotaryendht.org

September 22
Speaker: Rachelle Nesta, New Beginnings Women Shelter

Topic: New Beginnings has many programs that help survivors of domestic violence at any point in their journey to freedom.

Description: New Beginnings’ mission is to empower survivors and mobilize community awareness and action to end domestic violence. 

They are the only full-service agency in Seattle whose primary mission is to serve domestic violence survivors. With over 40 years of established history, New Beginnings has become a leading force in the movement to end domestic violence and has grown to include a full range of services for survivors. On average, 

New Beginnings serves over 10,000 women, children, and men each year. More information can be found at: https://newbegin.org/

Pickleball game in Shoreline
September 29
Speaker: Roger BelAir


Topic: Pickleball in Prisons

Description: Pickleball— the fastest growing sport in the nation— and prisons. Yes, prisons! Roger introduced the game to jails/prisons from coast to coast —New York City to Corcoran, the prison in California where Charles Manson served time. 

His efforts have been covered by the media: Everything from NPR to a radio station in Dubai. Audiences find it fascinating how the game is reducing violence and helping inmates. 

“Sadly, most inmates in correctional institutions come from very difficult backgrounds. For much of their lives positive guidance has been limited. One of the many benefits of pickleball is that the game can be used as a metaphor for teaching ‘life skills’ such as being a good teammate, following the rules and thinking about consequences.”



Read more...

Rotary project at Talita Cumi Children's Home in Mexico

Monday, August 23, 2021

Michele and Harley O'Neil in Zihuatanejo Mexico

By Harley O'Neil, Jr.

On January 24, 2021, my wife, Michele, and I took our first trip to Zihuatanejo, MX with friends from Quincy, WA. 

While we were there I learned that another close friend of mine, Paul Blauert, was also there and he had been coming there for over twenty years. I asked him if there was a project my Shoreline Rotary Club could get involved. He called the assistant pastor of Four Square Church and scheduled a breakfast meeting the following day.

At the breakfast meeting, I learned that there was a Children's Home in Zihuatanejo that could use some help. The Assistant Pastor, Cristian Cruz, asked if I wanted to go out the following day? 

I asked, "What about now?" So, my friend, Paul, and another friend Jim Hoersch jumped into Cristian's car and drove to visit the Children's Home and see what needs they had. While heading over to the Children's Home the Assistant Pastor told me that support for the Children's Home was hot and cold. 

Sometimes they get support and sometimes no support. With the Pandemic, tourism was way down and the whole town was hurting.

When we arrived at the Children's Home, the first thing that impressed me was that the children were receiving a very good education. There were actually three classes going on and the printing that the kids were doing was unbelievable. I remarked to several of the children how impressed I was.

The head of the Children's Home showed us around and I noticed that there were rooms that needed painting and the Administrator told me that although they had a six burner stove, only one burner worked and although they had two blenders, neither blender worked. 

I asked where a stove could be purchased in town. Cristian mentioned that there was a Sam's Club nearby and they sold gas stoves. A few minutes later we were in Sam's Club and not only was there a six burner stove but also an assortment of blenders. The three of us agreed to purchase the stove and one Oster Blender. 

We asked Cristian if he knew anyone who could pick up the range and get it installed. He said that for $10 he had a person who would take the new range to the Children's Home, remove the old range, and install the new range. 

Before we left the store, Cristian's friend showed up with a truck to pick up the new range. Before the end of the day, we were told that the new stove had been installed and three of the six burners were being used.

The Children's Home only houses between 8 -15 children at a time. Social Services learns about parents with drug, alcohol, and/or abuse issues and they take the children away and place them here.The government believes that children should be with their parents, so after the children are taken away the government provides help to the parents to see if they can stop their addiction and improve their lives. The goal is to get the children back with their parents at home.

I was very impressed with the schooling these children were receiving and the love the staff showed toward them. It was easy to see that they were happy and as a teacher myself, I could see that these kids were getting as good, if not a better education than the children in the local public schools.

I have provided an outline of the work that needs to be done at this Children's Home and the tasks the Shoreline Rotary Club members and the South Everett-Mukilteo Rotary Club members hope to complete while there from January 15-29, 2022. 

Much of the work will be contracted out before we arrive, but there will be hands on experience at the Children's Home. 

At this time I have 12 Rotarians going on this Project with us and I have two additional Rotarians who want to go if I can get two more units reserved for them. I have also provided a picture of the beach and my wife and I next to the beach where we will be staying. I have reserved eight rooms at Hotel Villa Mexicana for the two weeks and I am offering rooms to those who might like to join us. 

My wife and I will be there both weeks and we have friends who will be staying in other accommodations because they have extended family members with them. I believe that the cost for these ocean front units will be about $175 per night. The units are studio units and although there is fairly good Wifi, there is no refrigerator in the units. The food here is great and you will fall in love with the people. It is a very nice fishing village.

We are looking for clubs to join us in this International Service Project as we are trying to raise $28,000-$30,000. If you are interested in attending or your club is interested in partnering with Shoreline Rotary Club, please call me at 206-353-5516 or email me at harley@isomedia.com. The Shoreline Rotary Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Thank you.

Harley D. O'Neil, Jr.
Shoreline Rotary Club Treasurer



Read more...
ShorelineAreaNews.com
Facebook: Shoreline Area News
Twitter: @ShorelineArea
Daily Email edition (don't forget to respond to the Follow.it email)

  © Blogger template The Professional Template II by Ourblogtemplates.com 2009

Back to TOP