Stories

As put all our energies into our BIGGEST fundraiser this weekend, Rotary International is hosting its annual International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Rotarians from around the world will come together to celebrate past achievements and focus on future strategic projects that address some of the world's most significant problems. Local club members Debbie Wilde, Charlene Revoir, Jim Ingraham, and Stig Svedberg (?) will be attending. We should expect them to return with new ideas and energy for the coming year. 

Founded in 1905 by Chicago attorney, Paul Harris, Rotary was established so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. (www.rotary.org/history)

 

Rotary has two official mottos: "Service Above Self" is the one we know well and is repeated often. The other, "One Profits Most Who Serves Best," is equally important and focuses on the return that service brings to the individual and to their organization. It's a concept that quickly resonated around the world. In a mere 16 years after it's founding, Rotary clubs could be found on 6 continents. 

 

That global involvement continues today. There are over 1.2 million Rotarians putting service above self in large and small ways. Rotary's official website - rotary.org - is a great way to learn more about all the ways clubs are serving the needs of world's most vulnerable and partnering with local communities to help them address their local issues and needs.

 

We belong to an amazing world-wide organization of service-minded people. What great company to keep! 

This is the first of three stories about our club's relationship and recent work with Chinle Planting Hope. You'll know from past issues and announcements, that Chinle Planting Hope (CPH) is a grassroots non-profit organization based in Chinle, Arizona in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Founded in 2016 CPH practices asset-based community development and invests in projects that build up the physical, social, educational and spiritual health of all community members. 

Build Community. Live with Hope. Walk in Beauty.

We had the pleasure of meeting two Rotary Scholars, Antonia Perez Martinez and Kalin Loeffler, along with their families, on Friday. They are two of the five GSHS graduates awarded Rotary Scholarships to support their first year of college. Each will receive $2500. 

 

Kalin Loeffler plans to attend Colorado Mesa University where he will major in fire science with hopes of coming back to the Valley to work. Loeffler completed his EMT certification while still in high school through the concurrent enrollment courses offered by CMC. His commitment to the area in a service-related field was a key element in the committee's selection of Loeffler.

 

Antonia Perez Martinez plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. She will attend Colorado State University in the fall with support from Rotary as well as many other foundations and scholarship donors. She brought her little sister, Juana, to the meeting. Perez Martinez is providing summer care for Juana as well as her two infant nieces this summer. She thanked the club for our support and looks forward to keeping us apprised of her progress.

 

Thank you for all the work you do in raising funds for us to award in scholarships. The tickets you sell, pies you bake, pancakes you cook and serve, as well as the happy bucks, raffle tickets, and individual donations, all go toward helping others achieve their bests. It's great when we get to meet the people we serve! 

District 5470 Governor, Whitney Smyth-Smith, visited our club on Friday. She gave us an update on all things Rotary! It was inspiring to hear about all the things that Rotary is doing in our district and around the world. We were reminded that Rotary continues to evolve to better address and support the needs of people around the world. 

Pictured with Governor Smyth-Smith are past club presidents. From left to right - Debbie Wilde, Ken Robinson, Nick Adams, Joe Mueller, Whitney Smyth-Smith, John Spidell (visiting from North Colorado Springs club and father of GS Rotarian Matt Spidell).  Our club presidents do so much in their year (or more!) of leading the club. We thank you for your service and your contribution to the larger Rotary community. 

 

We also shared in the awarding of two Paul Harris fellowship awards: Dan Smith received his PH +1 and Jim Ingraham received his PH +5. These are important contributions to the work of Rotary International across the globe. Find out more about the history of the Paul Harris award. Contact Ken Robinson to learn about earning your Paul Harris fellowship. 

Debbie Wilde and Nancy Bo Flood recently hosted a well-attended virtual planning meeting for the June Service weekend in Chinle, AZ.

The project volunteers were in attendance to learn of the plans for work to improve the buildings and grounds of Chinle Planting Hope (CPH), the grassroots organization in the heart of the Navajo Nation. CPH is the focus of the recent $100,000 global grant from Rotary International!  

 

The work weekend of June 6-8 will be filled with projects that enhance the spaces already created, as well as support the newly built Imagination Station. Rotarians and their friends will build shelves, install solar lights, work in the garden, clean and fill the Thrift Store, shelve books, read to children, as well as learn about the Navajo (Dine) culture and heritage. 

 

CPH is looking for seeds! Please donate vegetable and/or flower seeds to help the CPH garden grow. Give seed packets to Debbie or Nancy at our upcoming meetings. 

 

The great clothing give-away at Mountain View Church last Saturday was a huge success! Started several years ago by a couple of church volunteers, and aided by a few of our club Rotarians, this modest used clothing drive has become the ultimate clothing recycling event.

Thanks to help from Rotarians and Elks Club members, and others from the church, several hundred people picked up needed clothes for their children. 

We had the chance to host six outstanding GSHS seniors and their families at Friday's meeting. Debbie Wilde took over for Kristin DiBernardo (project lead) in introducing and interviewing the stellar students, all of whom are exceptional students in addition to being passionate and accomplished in other areas. 

 

 

What a pleasure it was to see the confidence and accomplishments of these fine young people.