Wheel Spinner (Nov 28, 2017)

PLEASE NOTE! The correct date for Kohls Santa Clothes event is Wednesday, December 13! Please be at the store by 7:00am and plan to stay till around 8:30. The address is 8660 So. Quebec, Lone Tree 80124. Costumes? Of course! You must wear Santa Hat to be identified as volunteer! Ho ho ho!

LAST MEETING NOTES

GREAT PRESENTATION ON THE COSTA RICA TRIP!

Thanks to Phil Calderbank, Connie Golas & Debby Doig for a great presentation on the Costa Rica trip. Phil, our new PR chair, really knows how to put together a PPT presentation!

Then Bob Martin did an overview on the Give A Book project, a partnership between Rotary & the Peace Corps. While on the trip, he dedicated the Sue Fox Memorial Library in honor of his late wife, Sue Fox. Sue, a former Peace Corps worker and former president of the Denver Rotary Club, had always had a dream of a project between Rotary & the Peace Corps. She made it happen in this format and we're proud that our club could be a part of fulfilling her dream.

NEXT UP - NICARAGUA

Reen Gottern talked about the proposed trip to Nicaragua with El Porvenir planned for February 10-20. Participants will work on water, sanitation/latrines & reforestation. Work will be done in small villages who have no electricity or running water. Cost of the trip is $1175 for the 10 days and covers all meals, lodging, transportation, health insurance and in-country travel. Airfare will be paid by attendees. For more info, talk to Reen.

WE ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE CRAWFORD HOUSE GAZEBO IS COMPLETE!

Many thanks to Jim Bramley, Tim Sparks, Dave Omtvedt (Tim's friend), David Blackwood, Marcus Blackwood ( David’s son), Ethan Ward ( Marcus’s friend), Steve Miller & Kyle Kucharski, as well as various NCOA members from Ft. Carson. Over the last year they have been to the Crawford House in Colorado Springs many times, building a gazebo, taking down the original after it was destroyed by wind, then reconstructing this beauty for the many people served by this military organization! We say TGIF - thank God it's finished!!

A BIG AWARD TO JERRY SELINFREUND, WHO WILL BE SORELY MISSED

"Your legacy will live on"

It is with regret that Debby Doig announced Jerry has stepped down from his work on the gala committee. After 10 years, generating sponsorship after sponsorship, Jerry will be turning the reins over to Jerry Wilford. He has been instrumental in raising the bar every year on the Gala, this year being his crowning glory where the club grossed $110,139 - our biggest ever! Much like his beloved athletes, Jerry plans to go out while he's on top!

THIS WEEK

MEET THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DOUG/ELBERT TASK FORCE

Meet Dan Marlow who will lead the task force into 2018! He will be introduced by former club member John Forsythe who now sits on the Task Force board. Learn about their upcoming plans!

GREETER SCHEDULE:

November 30: Jane Kucharski & Jerry Wilford

OTHER HOLIDAY NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT

SPECIAL APPEAL FOR THIS THURSDAY - TOYS NEEDED FOR IFCS TOY DRIVE!

Our club is putting out a special appeal. to all you generous, lovely people! IFCS has so many children who did not get on their registry for Christmas. These are kids we really want to help! Please come to Thursday's meeting with toys in hand! AND you can also bring them to the Holiday party on Saturday night - we're collecting there too!

Here's another thing you can do - give a financial donation to either Carolyn Bradish or Connie Golas. Our community service committee will do the shopping for you and save you a trip. If you miss these 2 dates, our last date to collect gifts will be on Thursday, December 14. The team will deliver all gifts, cards, etc. to IFCS following the meeting on Thursday, Dec. 14^th.

HOLIDAY PARTY TIME - DEC. 2!

When: December 2, 2017

Where: Sundial House in the BackCountry development in Highlands Ranch. 10989 Sundial Rim Road, Highlands Ranch

Directions: South on Broadway to the end & enter the BackCountry development. Check in with guard and let him know that you are going to the Highlands Ranch Rotary party at the Sundial House. Follow the main road and Sundial House signs to the top of the hill to the Sundial House. Parking is on the west side.

Time: 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm

Dress: Holiday Casual or ugly sweaters, if you love this image!

Food: The club is providing Ham and Beef Brisket and water. Please bring either a side dish, salad or dessert, or non-alcoholic drinks. There will be a full cash bar at the event.

Other: There is no charge for Rotarian and their guest. Kids are also welcome to attend.

LET'S FOCUS ON UPCOMING DECEMBER EVENTS

Saturday, Dec. 2 - Club holiday party potluck at the Sundial House, 6 pm

Thursday, Dec. 7 - the club is dark so people can attend the District State of the State luncheon

Wednesday, Dec. 13 - Kohl's Santa Clothes event. Each Rotarian is partnered with a student to help them spend $100!

INDIAN CENTER:

Friday, Dec. 15 - Gift wrapping at the Indian Center

Saturday, Dec. 16 - more wrapping at the Indian Center and distribution of gifts by Mr. & Mrs. Claus!

IFCS:

Saturday, Dec. 16 - Delivery of holiday baskets to seniors

AND THESE ACTIVITIES MEAN WHAT?

KOHL'S SANTA CLOTHES

Each year, Rotary partners with Kohl's Park Meadows store of Quebec. Students are bussed in from different organizations, CASA, Boys Hope, Girls Hope & Hide in Plain Sight to name a few. Each child is given $100 to spend on clothes for themselves. A Rotarian accompanies them to find the right sizes and styles and keep on budget. The joy in their eyes when they hear they've hit the preverbal jackpot is so exciting! Sign up with Connie Golas to participate in this great tradition!

STATE OF THE STATE LUNCHEON

The 11^th annual State of the State Luncheon is co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Southeast Denver and District 5450. It will be held December 7th at the Denver Marriott Tech Center (noon to 1:30 pm). The club has stepped it up in a big way - not only are we dark that day so people can attend without a conflict, but they're also applying our 'lunch money' to our ticket price. So $30 of the $60 luncheon ticket is being underwritten by the club, costing members only $30 for this great program.

In addition to keynote speaker Susan Klebold, Governor John Hickenlooper will address the State’s efforts in the areas of mental health and wellness. The luncheon will be preceded by a Mental Health Symposium presented by the Rotary Mental Health Initiative (9 am-11:20 am; Free/Registration Required) and a Mental Health & Wellness Expo (11:00-11:55 am; no charge to attend). Visit the district website for more info, http://www.rotary5450.org/page/stories

DENVER INDIAN CENTER HOLIDAY PARTY

Our work with the Indian Center is really ramping up. Following our successful coat drive, families will have a warm winter! Next up - preparing for their annual children's holiday party. Our involvement? Go down to wrap the kids' presents. We have 2 days now, Friday evening, Dec. 15 and early Saturday morning, Dec. 16. The party is in the afternoon. For more info, contact Mickie Cameron or Andy Becher.

IFCS HOLIDAY BASKETS TO SENIORS

IFCS sponsors holiday baskets and builds them for local low income seniors. They're filled with gifts and food - the stuff of a happy holiday! Our role? Delivery of said baskets. You'll go over to IFCS, 3370 S Irving St, Englewood, CO 80110, in the morning of Dec. 16, collect baskets and addresses, then go forth and deliver! It's a wonderful experience, getting to meet seniors around town and making their holidays a little merrier! Contact Carolyn Bradish or Connie Golas.