ANNOUNCEMENTS

·       Bimal Rajbhandari, Rotaract student from Lawrence University, is raising money for the earthquake victims in Nepal, his home.  Please follow him on his Facebook page if you are interested in helping. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nepal-Relief/1431020890533768

·       Paul Greene visited Iceland with his wife and brought back some dried Haddock for President Deborah.

·       Paul Hillmer presented the club with a check from Associated Bank for $250.00 for a donation to the World Service Committee.

MARY HARP-JIRSCHELE: EYE CARE MISSION IN PANAMA

 

Through the World Service Committee grant Mary Harp-Jirschele and the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH) group were able to help put glasses on 856 people at a makeshift clinic set up 7 ½ hours west of Panama City in a village called Petrillo Arriba. This year the group was hosted by an organization called “Youth With a Mission” YWAM for short.  They have a base camp in the middle of nowhere in Panama, which is where they typically like to be because it is where the most need is.  The eye clinic was set up in an old school about 3 miles from camp.  There was a courtyard for the kids to play in close by so the parents could keep an eye on them.  VOSH brought soccer, tennis and baseballs and the kids could not believe their good fortune.  Interestingly, at the end of the day, the balls were left right in the middle of the courtyard.  In the end, VOSH gifted them to a teacher at the school who helped set up every day and she walked more than an hour each day, each way, to help them out.  While the children were playing in the courtyard, VOSH was serving their parents in their little makeshift clinic.  You cannot even imagine the look of surprise when someone sees clearly for the first time in their lives.  They actually had a woman say, “This is the first time I’ve seen my baby’s face,” It truly is a miracle. This year they carried about 3,000 pairs of glasses with them in suitcases and shipped another 600 or so ahead of time.  Add to that hundreds of sunglasses in another bag.  The people of the village and surrounding area are like every other central American place they have been to.  The people work harder than anyone should have to just put food on the table, where there are no frills but much contentment, where access to things we take for granted-like running water- is a luxury residents will never see in their lifetime.  There was electricity most of the time in this area and cell phones are becoming more apparent.  Out of about 900 people they saw a few stories stood out.  There was a 90 year old man who had never had glasses in his life.  When he was outfitted in his glasses in the dispensary, he stood up and announced to the crowd, “Nuevo hombre” – I am a new man!” Everyone Cheered!  There was an 81 year old woman who was a tiny little thing.  They found the perfect little stylish pair of glasses for her little face, and they was so excited to put them on for her.  The woman did not say anything…she just kept looking around.  People’s reactions are so different.  They finally asked her what was wrong.  She quietly said, “I just never expected this.  I can see.” When all is said and done, the bottom line is consistent each year; they make a difference in the lives of not just the people they serve, but also in their own lives.  Mary’s closing comment in her journal one year said it best:  “The world is bigger than what WE know, and it’s good to be reminded of that occasionally-whether it’s in a big way like this kind of trip or in a smaller way at your favorite nonprofit back home.  Either way, you come to realize how blesses we really are.”  VOSH is very blessed that the Rotary Club of Appleton chose to provide $1,000 from the World Service Fund for this trip.  It made a WORLD of difference in the lives of some wonderful people.

HANDS OVER THE FOX EVENT- SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2015

This is an event to remember lives lost and help the community move forward after a tragic shooting took the lives of Jonathan & Olivia Stoffel and Adam Bentdahl on the Trestle Trail in Menasha, Wisconsin.

Date:

Sunday, May 31st, 2015

Time:

Program to begin at 7 p.m.
(We highly suggest you plan to arrive on either side of the bridge trail no later than 6:30 p.m. because of the large expected crowd; shuttles will start at 5 p.m. – scroll down for parking information

Location:

Trestle Trail Bridge, Menasha, WI

 

Details:

On Sunday, May 31, community members will gather on both sides of the Trestle Trail Bridge beginning at 6:30 p.m.

At 7 p.m., there will be a brief invocation, then people will be asked to walk onto the bridge from either side until both sides meet in the middle

Hands will be joined and raised during a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost. Nearby churches are asked to ring their bells at 7:33 p.m.; immediately following, boaters and kayakers in the surrounding water will collectively sound their horns as another sign of community strength and support.

 

JUNE 2ND MEETING-ROTARY ON THE ROAD-FVTC

 

Rotary is going on the road again in June!  Instead of your choice of 3 – 4 locations, the entire club will be touring the nation’s premier public safety training facility at Fox Valley Technical College.  The new and nearly 80 acre Public Safety Training Center was recently dedicated and now we have an opportunity to get a glimpse of the types of training that are available at the new facility.  Be sure to sign up and let Meghan know that you plan on attending.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Bimal Rajbhandari, Rotaract student from Lawrence University, is raising money for the earthquake victims in Nepal, his home.  Please follow him on his Facebook page if you are interested in helping. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nepal-Relief/1431020890533768

• Don’t forget to sign up for Rotary on the Road on June 2^nd at FVTC.  Either sign up at the meeting or email Meghan at rotaryappleton@gmail.com

YOUTH RECOGNITION AWARDS - OUTSTANDING SENIORS

Today, the Youth Services and Education Awards Committee recognized 2 outstanding seniors from each of the five Appleton high schools.    The recipients of these awards were chosen by these schools to recognize students for their superior academic achievement, demonstrated leadership qualities, a striving for excellence, high ethical standards and service to others through involvement in school, church and community activities.  These students bring new meaning to the word “balance”.  They are athletes, musicians, writers, actors, leaders, community servants and of course students.   Congratulations to the following recipients:

Appleton East High School

Britta Hare

Elise Austin

                                                                      

Appleton North High School

Blake Ebben

Zachary Gasick

 

Appleton West High School

Olivia Allen

Jack (Jonathan) Kent

 

Fox Valley Lutheran High School

Danielle Voss

Michelle Chen

 

Xavier High School

Megan DuBois

Hunter Van Asten

Valley New School

Jasper Farin

Thanks to the Youth Services and Education Awards Committee for arranging the Youth Recognition Award programs: Sonia Barham (Chair), Bill Breider, Bret Buxton, Mary Downs, Ralph DeMarco, Joe Mauthe, Meghan Warner and Jeff Werner.  A special thank you to Fox Valley Technical College and staff members for their donation of printing services and materials. 

HIGH SCHOOL BURUNDI STUDENTS

 

Burundi Education Fund was created in Appleton in 2010.  The organization brings hope to extremely poor children attending extremely poor schools in Burundi by providing annual school fees and school supplies, by creating basic infrastructure of clean drinking water, sanitation and by initiating sustainable projects in schools.  The Burundi High School Students program was created to provide an opportunity to bright, hardworking Burundian students to witness the educational, economic, social and political structure of a developed nation.  The goal of this program is for these students to one day become 21^st century leaders who will bring hope of a brighter future to the people of Burundi by continuing the legacy of the American generosity and the work of the Burundi Education Fund, Inc.  During their stay here in the Fox Valley, students have the opportunity to share their country’s culture with Americans and also have the opportunity to help educate Americans about the extreme poverty of their country.  Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world and was named “the hungriest country in the world” by USA Today in 2014.  The students that are chosen for this program come from extremely poor families.  They arrive in the United States with very limited English and technological skills but with determination and desire to excel.  They are greeted by their host families.  Generous host families provide students with a home, meals and transportation to and from school but they are not expected to furnish clothing, school supplies, spending money, etc. for their student.  Currently there are six students who are juniors in this program and they have dreams of attending post-secondary education.  The students are doing all they can to prepare for acceptance at a college; excelling in academics, participating in school, community and church activities, donating hours of service to local churches, hospitals and community members and preparing diligently for their college ACT test.  These students have done so well with so little thus far.  They have great potential and great hope that they will one day make the world a better place.  The goal of the program is to help them find a way to make their dreams come true.  Please visit their website at www.educateburundi.org to learn more about their students, programs and ways in which you can join in their work.