Mike Wentzell invited everyone to perform our club’s Highway Cleanup today at 6:30 PM, with eyes on the weather while we put our gloves on the trash.
Erin Kerber requested volunteers to sell Raffle Tickets in association with the Music Fest drawing – one ticket: $20; three tickets: $50. Several community events will present opportunities to raise money for our club and the Miracle Field. Signup lists are available for Fire + Ice, River City Days, Carver County Fair, Carver Steamboat Days, Latin Music Fest, and the main event, our Music Fest. Refer to the Upcoming Events in this newsletter for specific dates.
Neil Wingert received his Paul Harris plus 6 pin that acknowledged continued donations to the Rotary Foundation.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Donations were happily provided by Peter Ivy, Bob Roepke, Wayne Ward, Russ St. John, Molly Koivumaki, Mike Wentzell, Jim Halloran, Dave Pokorney and Gretchen Oppriecht.
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL
Robin Nesburg added the club flag from Utsunomiya, Japan. It had been brought back by Phil Solseng’s daughter Kristine from her 1994-95 exchange student year. We look forward to the possibility that someone will be able to explain the symbolism of the images on the flag.
Other recent flags have been added from Indore, India and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
EXCHANGE STUDENT - Marcos Alonso
NPhotos from Marcos – the stories continue: Tree planting, a bus trip with Ken Hiller to a Minnesota United futbol game, tennis matches and his own celebrity poster. On April 29, Marcos represented our club and the Exchange Student program and gave a presentation to the school group at LaAcademia.
April 26 – Tree Planting at Community Park in Chaska. We joined with volunteers from the Lions club in this annual event to benefit our environment and neighbors in response to the destruction of trees due to the Emerald Ash Borer.
LMay 1 – Cinco de Mayo
Thanks to Erika Kennedy for organizing our annual Cinco de Mayo event to honor the contributions of our Hispanic community. Also, thanks to Erin Kerber for notes and pictures from the Cinco De Mayo Event.
The speaker included Rico Paul Vallejos, who discussed the Hispanic Wealth Project and the Perceptions and Realities of Latino USA. Lisa Anderson, Carver County Commissioner, also spoke about the connections she made with the Latino Community during her campaigning process.
The organization Latino Voices handed out gratitude awards to: The Chaska Rotary, Kevin Wright, Chaska Moravian Church, Officer Martin Godinez, Bountiful Basket, Virma Benke, & Carlos.
May 3 – Chaska’s Christmas in May (link) is an annual event organized by the city of Chaska that enables improvement projects for homeowners in our community. The event combines the volunteer efforts of civic organizations like us and the Lions, as well as the Police department and high school groups. Photos of the event included our own version of “American Gothic” portrayed by Erin Kerber and Bob Chinnock. Dave Pokorney once again provided his leadership for our efforts. Dan Keyport and Peter Ivy are also pictured.
May 8 – STRIVE Breakfast + Scholarships (Bob Chinnock)
May 15 – Grant Recipients. Jean Heyduck and Erin Kerber had the pleasant duty to award four Rotary Club grants to four organizations:
A.C.T. United was represented by Jessica Bartholomew. This group’s mission: “ Unite communities in prevention and ignite youth leadership in the movement to end online exploitation and trafficking of children and teens.” Their model: “Our prevention programs are informed and updated by current research, direct service experience, law enforcement partners, and survivor leader expertise for best practices in prevention, intervention, and survivor support. Our strategies engage and equip the whole community. Our passion is prevention education that empowers youth with the education, skills, and resources they need for exploitation prevention, peer-to-peer advocacy, and opportunity for leadership development.” Jessica’s email: jessica@actunited.org, website www.actunited.org.
Carver County Local News was represented by Mike Huang. This online publication “strives to use print and digital tools to inform the public and tell the story of its vibrant and diverse communities. Partnerships with area businesses, governments, civic organizations and subscribers ultimately strengthen and sustain the trusted news organization that fosters community connection.”
Beyond New Beginnings was represented by Molly Koivumaki. Its mission: “Beyond New Beginnings (BNB) Program supports and nurtures young moms and their children as they gain independence in safe, stable homes while being actively involved in the New Beginnings High School Program, post-secondary education and/or employment by empowering them to become healthy, engaged, members of a community. Their objectives:
· Develop safe homes for young moms and their children both during high school and after graduation – promoting success in the next steps of their lives, whether pursuing employment or continuing their education.
· Provide access to high-quality childcare where their children can thrive.
· Prepare moms and advocate for them as they find employment and/or pursue post-secondary education.
· Create a community environment where life skills are honed, and peers support each other through life’s ups and downs.
· Empower young moms to think critically, make decisions, foster connections and build their networks to be able to support their family once they complete the BNB program.
Chaska High School Planters Project provided students with a hands-on opportunity to build planters to benefit Chaska residents.
A Nepal Service video was shown by Ken Hiller to highlight the efforts of the Peterborough, Ontario, Canada Rotary club to support community development in Nepal. Through financial support and in-person projects, businesses run by local women are receiving assistance. Our contact is Marie Press - mariepress@Hotmail.com
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Our club members brought boxes and bags filled with donations of food and toiletries for West Creek Apartment residents. Dave Pokorney explained the current status of the housing and its residents.
Note from John Roebke: Invocations can be a faith traditional prayer, or a meditation, or inspirational verse or quote. Brief 20 – 30 seconds. Light-hearted is okay. Option: focus on our Mission of Service Above Self. Need an idea – Google Rotary Invocations. Not a personal talent? Don't wait, tell me NOW, 612-790-7067, john.roebke@live.com. I will be glad to name another. If I forgot that you told me not a talent, please forgive me. Remind me. If not a good DATE, trade with a mate.
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