LAST WEEK - Les Lee & Dr. Jason Williams, Pediatric Mental Health, Children's Hospital
Les Lee, Philanthropy Fellow, introduced Dr. Williams who informed us it is an unsettling and stressful time for our youth with suicide now a leading cause of death for kids and teens while countless other children struggle to get the help they need.
Children's Hospital has committed to providing better access to families so they have the right mental health care at the right time. They are doing this through the legislature and creating resources for the community. We watched Chloe's video with the goal of raising awareness. For more information, https://www.childrenscolorado.org/doctors-and-departments/departments/psych
What can each of us do? Treat mental health like any other health; be a good listener; let conversations happen; and be available and not afraid to discuss.
This week we welcomed Chris Kabugo from Uganda
Announcements
9Health is seeking volunteers to give injections for their drive-thru vaccine opportunity; it was agreed we will wait until more members are
vaccinated themselves before volunteering.
We are joining the Denver SE Club in supporting Bags of Fun, a brightly-colored, cheery backpack filled to the brim with age-specific games, toys, and activities practical for a hospital setting for hospitalized children fighting cancer and other long-term diseases at the Children's Hospitals. Tamie shared a video showing the impact to kids and families receiving such a gift.
We will also be supporting the Dickerson Literary Initiatives, a literacy program developed by Carl Dickerson. His program has been used in Costa Rica and will now provide 200-250 books to the Children's Hospitals.
Connie Golas shared we will be helping Sedalia Elementary School building a new pergola and we have already contributed towards disinfecting supplies and art supplies for the school. Tamie shared a video presenting a taste of family and community putting kids on a great track.
Please see Phil's email from Jan 22 regarding WAC, World Affairs Challenge, Mar 6th. Additional judges are needed. To learn more,
https://www.worldaffairschallenge.org/whatswac
The Visioning Committee meeting is Saturday, Feb 20 from 9am - noon. Please contact Debbie Leonard or Kevin Mizer if you are interested in joining.
"Family of Rotary Concerns"
Happily Scott was discharged home during our meeting on the 28th. Many of us joined together on the 30th to give him a Rotary welcome home.
Please help Bob Larson who is truly having a senior moment; last year before he left for Florida he gave ??? Safeway cards. If you are that someone please let Bob know and what happened to the cards. Thanks!
Community Service
Kudos to Marty Genereux for producing another fantastic video depicting our help at IFCS and the true meaning of giving. Thank you Marty!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvi2WbbhcWw&feature=youtu.be
And kudos to Connie Golas who is planning for meals to be distributed to the Denver Ronald McDonald House sometime in February. Not an easy task in these pandemic times. Thank you Connie!
Free the Girls provides an economic opportunity for survivors of sex trafficking as we learned in a prior meeting. We are collecting new and gently used bras and camisoles (with bra); please check your drawers and involve your friends and neighbors. You may take your collected items to Elizabeth Feb 14th - 21st, 9077 Ranch River Circle 80126.
Contact Elizabeth, 970-799-4321, if interested in volunteering at ReStore (Habitat for Humanity). Project Angel Heart continues to collect decorated bags for food distribution. Contact Elizabeth for more bags.
Remember to send your volunteer hours to Elizabeth including your name, what activity you participated in, the date of the activity, and the number of hours, 970-799-4321.
