January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. One of the Human Trafficking Committee’s goal for 2024 is to collect new sheets (queen and king) and towels for our local area shelters in January. Different collections of goods will be featured quarterly this year.
Joey Timmer is our club's point of contact and he has requested that members bring sheets or towels to our meeting to donate to the trafficking shelters. We will be collecting them preferably through January, but will take donations through the end of this quarter.
CHRISTMAS DELIVERIES
Mark Hansen reported that all went well with the Christmas deliveries on December 23! They delivered gifts provided by our members to 4 Lawrence Elementary families and groceries to two Benton Elementary families.
Thanks to those who helped: Mark Hansen (project lead) Randy Bowles, Ed Frey, Heidi Bowen (& her daughter, Joy), Terry Gardner, Vern Klassen, Scott Hinderliter, Wade West (and his children, Cooper & Hannah) plus 2 Interact students: Isaiah Escudero & Connie Garcia.
BOOKSHELP BUILDING PROJECT
Back row: Jon Roper, Jacob Beckman, Mark Hazleton, Randy Bowles, Joey Timmer, Phil Michel, Bob Nelson, Bob Goebel, Rod Brown, Roger Bowles, Vern Klassen. Front row: Wade West and his kids (Cooper & Hannah), Jamie Wise and her son (Truman), Annie Pfeifer & John Mosley. DeAnn Sullivan took the picture.
Vern Klassen reported that they had 19 volunteers that built approximately 130 bookshelves. Our club will deliver the bookshelves in place of our club meeting late February-early March. Watch for the sign up sheet. Our thanks to Vern Klassen & Rod Brown for organizing this project, prepping the wood & securing the workshop, and to all those who helped assemble them!
IF YOU NOTICE: We have members who bring their children to help with our projects. What a wonderful way to teach "Service Above Self" and bring up future Rotarians! My girls benefitted from their involvement which started with my father who was a Rotarian.
In memory of Jodi Besthorn...
December 17, 1956 - January 1, 2024
As Mark Chamberlin said while representing our club at her memorial service, "Jodi served our club well with her quiet, humble demeanor."
Before joining our club, Jodi was a member of the Rotary Club of Smith Center 1995-1997. She was a member of our Rotary Club of West Wichita since 1998. She took on a very active role in our club throughout her membership helping with various projects.
Her service on our Board:
1999 - 2001 - Director
2008-2009 - Club Service Chair
2010-2011 - President Elect
2011-2012 - Club President
2012-2013 - Past President
2021-2023 - Community Service Chair
Jodi also served on our annual Wine Dinner Fundraising Event and was our 2022 point of contact person for the event. She was always willing to help and serve where needed. Jodi was a
Paul Harris Fellow and the Rotary District 5690 Learning Facilitator (2002-2005).
DISTRICT MEETING
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Rotary Leadership Institute that will be held February 3 in Colby, KS from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and in Sublette on Feb 10 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Go to District 5680 to register or email homeier.rotary5680@gmail.com. The cost to attend is $50.00. The Rotary Leadership Institute focuses on all the various aspects of Rotary and focuses on leadership development. This is a great program for all new Rotarians, prospective leaders and officers for Rotary or Rotarians that want a better
Topic: "Rotary International, District 5680 - organization & operation"
Our RITE teachers arrived over the weekend from Panama & Argentine. They will have a full schedule visiting various schools and participating in local activities.
Thanks to your donations to help purchase sonograms for the Ukraine. We collected: $6,440!
DUES STATEMENTS were
emailed the end of December. Please pay promptly. If you want to pay by credit card, that will need to be done at our club meeting and a 3% service fee will be charged.
