RCHR: Weekly Wheel Spinner August 22, 2024 (Jul. 30, 2024)

The Rock went from Mark Eberly to Steve Miller who has done so much over the years. Steve gave a profound speech upon demand, "I'm honored to have this rock" was what he came up with when the room chanted "Speech, speech". :-)

Our presentation was from The World Affairs Challenge, Liz Osga who represents the organization known as World Denver, which is the "parent organization" to WAC.

The World Affairs Challenge started 30 years ago at DU. It is an innovation competition for students. Liz told us about how the contest impacts young people and how we could help. There are ample easy opportunities to help with judging and we can also support teams in other ways. Currently the contest has spread globally with enthusiasm, so we were encouraged to help raise awareness locally. If you know a student, teacher, or someone who works in a school, please direct them to www.worlddenver.org/wac-links judging for the year occurs in March of the academic year.

Announcements & Reminders:

Peaches - 10 Interactors and one random grandson :-) helped us with the peach pick-up. BIG thanks especially to Bill Leeper and Jan Keyton. When the math is done, we have made approximately $14,000 and we raised over $45,000. Funds went to pay for peaches, pay our partners' shares, and a few tiny administrative costs such as printing. Countless hours by lots of people made this happen. Thanks to all and thanks, again to Jan and Bill.
Shrin, Debby & Tom are still hard at work on Bright Futures.

The club is almost at 100% participation -- to the few of you who have not had a chance to reply, please do. We understand that in any given year, not everyone has the abundance or ability to give a lot of money.

Many of you give so much time, please know that "sweat equity" counts for a LOT. The funding is important, however, so please commit what is comfortable so that we can move on and know what funding we have to fuel our efforts in the coming "magical" Rotary year. We are currently at $128,000! Please help us drop the mic and cross the finish line with a huge success! Thank you all!

General announcements also followed:

We will be doing a Club Cruise with the help of the fabulous Shannon O'Brien, who is a talented travel agent and adventure specialist. Please contact Shannon for details at shannon.obrien@frosch.com or she can be reached by phone at 303-440-1608.

The cruise leaves on May 13th and will cover Vancouver, Anchorage, and other amazing places in the area. We did not capture all the details but the prices were excellent. It would be such fun to get a good group together! Please consider it and please contact Shannon for info.
We have a social this Thursday instead of a meeting. WE ARE DARK THIS WEEK AT NOON ON THURSDAY. Instead, we will meet on the patio at On the Border from 4-7 and then as long as folks want to stay. There are great prices on margaritas and we will have some appetizers on the table also. Jane has already provided a headcount but if you did not RSVP, PLEASE let her know if you are going to attend so that she can help the restaurant prepare. We are told an email will be sent with details but in case that does not happen, please contact Jane.
Also, thanks to Jane for doing the hard work of organizing our social affairs for years. She says she has "plenty of social" still left in her, but now she can relax a bit and the lovely Kristy Hayzlett is taking the reigns with a couple of helpers moving forward. If you have ideas, please contact Kristy. She does travel for work, but she will get back to you as needed as soon as she is able. Cheers to you both, ladies!
For the Family of Rotary this week: We are holding Phil Calderbank (and Elaine, of course) in our hearts and thoughts. Phil began his stem cell treatment (from a 19-year-old female!!) We are so very hopeful for him that this will be his cure.
Great news as Anne Lester continues to do well. She is improving/stable and we send our best to her and to their whole family.
Bob Larsen is on the mend/mending. We expect to see him soon and hear he is doing well. Thanks, Reen, for the update.
Last but absolutely not least, our beloved President Arthur is doing well these days. We are grateful for his leadership and for his "First Lady", Terre. We wish them continued wellness and lots of good wishes this Rotary Year as they are so busy on our behalf. Thank you for living in Rotary every day!
Final thoughts and last notes for the week:
- Thanks again to Kari and safe travels. You were so helpful to us as a club during peach sales and always!
- Peter Van Arsdale came a bit late as a guest of Kim DeCoste, and reminded us that he is a visiting Rotarian from the Denver SE Club. He is very active with WASH (Water and Santiation Health). There is the annual WASH Symposium on 10.19.24. Details will follow. Peter is also out with a new book on Amazon if you are looking for a good read!

Please remember we are DARK this Thursday at NOON and meeting for Happy Hour instead! See you when we see you... stay well, happy, and have a great week, friends!