At our last meeting Bailey Ivory (lower photo) and Marlita Fong (middle photo) combined to provide an inspiring presentation on the truly life-changing experience of participating in RYLA.  Marlita is the Executive Director for 5190 RYLA.  Bailey, a former RYLA student, RYLA volunteer, and medical student at University of Nevada, described the RYLA Bike Project and how we can become involved. 

 

Each year the RYLA participants get to spend a day getting to know a group of kids from Boys & Girls Clubs, then at the end of the day present the children with a brand new bicycle.  It is a special event that lets the kids know that someone cares about them and is willing to invest in their future.

 

They are requesting donations from all of the Rotary clubs in the district to help purchase bikes for this event.  In return, Bailey will have participants return to our club and give us details of their experience. 

 

They have partnered with Scheels who is providing them a bicycle that would retail for $300-$500, and bicycle helmet, and lifetime warranty for only $115 per bicycle.  Each bicycle we donate will have the following decal:

 

 

So far, 20 clubs have provided funding.  We will be discussing this at next week's board meeting, but already we have several individuals interested in funding a bike for the project.  If you are interested in participating in this funding opportunity, please let me know.

A group of us will be visiting Kohl's in Carson City on December 22 to pick out $750 worth of discounted shoes the Virginia Palmer Happy Feet project.  These shoes will be given to at risk children with inadequate footwear.  Thank you to everyone who have already made a donation to replenish our foundations Happy Feet Fund.

 

Since we won't have the Angel Tree Project this year (taken over by local church groups), please consider redirecting the funds you would have spent to on Angel Tree to the Happy Feet fund.  You may bring a check made out to "RCRSCF" with "Happy Feet" in the reference line to the next meeting, mail a check to PO Box 11456, Reno, NV 89510, or donate with a credit card using the following link: 

 

David Geddes was recognized for achieving Paul Harris Plus One status.  His generous contributions will help Rotary International make a difference, both locally and throughout the world.  Rotary International funding supports seven areas of focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment (e.g. Polio Plus), Peace and Conflict Resolution, Clean Water and Sanitation (e.g. our participation in "Aqua Para Todos" water filtration project in Columbia), Maternal and Child Health, Basic Education and Literacy, Economic and Community Development, and Supporting the Environment.

At our December 9 meeting the following members were elected for 2023-2024:

President: Lynn Clark

President-Elect: Dan Waters

Director: Charlie Fettig

Director: Steve Bamberger

 

Lynn is still sorting out who will be our secretary and treasurer.  If you would be interested in stepping into one of those positions, please get in touch with him.

Ed Basl found this Rotary Club plaque during his trip to Germany.  He kindly sent it to me for sharing with the members.

 

 

Ed also came upon a possible relative of Steve Bamberger during his travels.

 

 

A four foot long stollen?  I hope Ed didn't eat the whole thing!