The Wheel Spinner
Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch, CO
March 10, 2026
 

ShelterBox

 A woman takes a break in front of her temporary

 ShelterBox home.

Kathleen Pierz was our sensational speaker at last week’s noon meeting. She is a representative of ShelterBox.

She let us know that ShelterBox was founded in England by eight members of a Rotary Club over 20 years ago with their iconic green Shelter Boxes. Today, they do much more and are international in scope. The unwieldy green boxes have been retired for more portable giant bags.

Right now, over 100 million people worldwide have been forced from their homes by disasters, conflict and climate change – and that number is growing every day. So, they have to scale up responses and work in new ways.

It’s important to hear what people need, creating tailored support to meet complex situations.

Shelter Box gives support with shelter and aid essentials, repair kits, water filters or solar lights. They help people build, repair or return home.

They share expertise to support those affected and champion local partnerships and environmental sustainability.

Disaster, conflict and climate change are forcing more people to flee their homes than ever before, making it crucial to act now to change this.

Shelter is a foundation for life. It is a place to feel safe after days or weeks of fear. It offers protection from the weather, privacy, and helps to preserve dignity. It’s a space to heal from trauma. Shelter and other essential items help people protect themselves from diseases like malaria. And it can prevent communities from scattering, meaning people stay connected and build resilience together.

When you don’t have to keep moving or worry about where to sleep at night, you can think about tomorrow. Items like tents, tarpaulins, tools, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking sets and water filters help to meet the most urgent needs, so you can start to  a living, send children to school and rebuild your home.
Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, but a dry and warm place to sleep, prepare meals and be with your family is the vital first step.

Kathleen (below) wrapped up her talk by saying that she is moving to Mexico to head up the ShelterBox program there and hinted that her spot in Denver needs to be filled! Anyone interested?

Kathleen Pierz

Sunrise Club

Helping the sick and their families…

The Sunrise Club once again preparing breakfast for Brent's Place

The Fly'n B 

Meanwhile, down at Wind Crest, The Fly'n B volunteers were decorating solar panels that will  enable communication in war-torn Ukraine.

Win with interlopers from the Noon Club, Arthur, Terre, and Roger helping out with this important work.

 


 Dear Peacebuilders,

 

We are pleased to share Peace Within - a special collaborative series between the Rotary Action Group for Peace (RAGFP) and the Mental Health Initiatives Rotary Action Group (RAGMHI).

 

This joint initiative brings together peacebuilding and mental health, recognizing that sustainable peace begins within. Through guided film analysis, reflection, and facilitated discussion, we will explore how inner awareness, emotional understanding, and self-acceptance contribute to personal and collective harmony.

 

Together, RAGFP and RAGMHI are bridging two vital dimensions of Rotary’s work - peacebuilding and mental wellbeing - to foster deeper resilience, empathy, and connection across our global network.

Contact me if you have interest!

Phil Clarke

philipbclarke@gmail.com

303 884 8351

Please send submissions to philipbclarke@gmail.com and put Wheel Spinner in the subject line.

Thanks to Kari Brown for tech support to Terre Cone and Jan Keyton for photo submissions and to Beth Clarke for proofreading.

Thanks to you for being a Rotarian!  

Lucky Shamrocks…

 As we approach St. Paddy's day, here are thoughts from that estimable Irishman, Oscar Wilde:

“Always forgive your enemies – nothing annoys them so much.”

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”

“Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

“I can resist anything except temptation.”

“Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.”

 

The nicest feeling in the world is to do a good deed anonymously-and have somebody find out.”

 

“The only good thing to do with good advice is pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself.”

“The world is a stage and the play is badly cast.”

“There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.”

“…and in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Paul McCartney

Kids who are happy to have their ShelterBox

Wondering where the Balfours are galavanting?Tucked away in the South Pacific, you’ll find the beautiful destination of Mystery Island, Vanuatu, Oceana (above).This paradise is a popular stop for cruise ships, where the mainly uninhabited beaches become lively with locals and tourists. But before you get too envious…

It is entirely possible that you, like Alan and Lori, might end up on the menu.

Speakers
Mar 12, 2026
multiple speakers
Mar 19, 2026
Mar 26, 2026
Hope for Children Foundation; rotary of Colon, Mexico
Apr 02, 2026
Apr 09, 2026
GTNY
Apr 09, 2026
GTNY
Apr 09, 2026
Apr 16, 2026
Apr 23, 2026
Simple Ways For Consumers To Reduce Energy Cost and Emissions
May 07, 2026
Warrior Bonfire event
View entire list

Upcoming Events

RCHR Board Meeting
Eastridge Rec Center
Mar. 11, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
International Services Committee Mtg.
Mar. 12, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Trivia, Tacos, and Tequila
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
Mar. 17, 2026 6:00 p.m.
 
Solar Chargers for Humanity Committee
ZOOM
Mar. 19, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06:00)
 
Military Support Committee Mtg.
Zoom only
Mar. 25, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
RCHR Board Meeting
Eastridge Rec Center
Apr. 08, 2026
7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
International Services Committee Mtg.
Apr. 09, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
 
Solar Chargers for Humanity Committee
ZOOM
Apr. 16, 2026
4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (UTC-06:00)
 
Trivia, Tacos, and Tequila
Lone Tree Golf Club & Hotel
Apr. 21, 2026 6:00 p.m.
 
Military Support Committee Mtg.
Zoom only
Apr. 22, 2026
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
 
View entire list
Sponsors