Highlights of February 15 Meeting

 

 

 

 

The new members were welcomed by the club.  Eric and Justin were pinned by their sponsors, and Liz and Andy were pinned by their spouses, Gerry Paulus and Kim Bradford.  All four new members were welcomed by the membership with a standing ovation.  

 

 

 

President Colleen invited Charlie Brown, President of Mesa Rotary Club to come forward.  He presented Colleen with the District Friendship trophy.  They had met at PETS and became friends.  Charlie really respects Colleen and Mesa West Rotary.  He likes the idea of the clubs working together.  They came on board to help with McKinney Vento and will look at other ways to combine efforts.  Colleen was told she would have to wear gloves when accepting and handling the trophy so it would stay spotless.  Gerry Paulus helped with the presentation and the proper handling of the trophy.

 

 

 

Jay Stuckey introduced Jessica Payne who is the Executive Director of Kids Need to Read.  She said it is her fourth year in that role.  She loves her job.  She said there is something new to deal with every day.

 

People who look at the world with rose-colored glasses think all children have access to books and can readily discuss the classics.  The fact is that is simply not true.  When she was first teaching. she went into a classroom where books had been tossed on the floor.  She was not about to throw them away.  She built bookshelves and organized them and slowly replaced the worn books with newer ones.

 

Even when libraries do exist, in many cases, there are no sidewalks for kids to walk on to get there safely.  Some children have no time to read at home because of responsibilities with younger siblings or other chores.

 

There goal at Kids Need to Read is to help kids who live in a book desert to have access to books.  She said with some of her presentations where she reads as "Cactus Rose" have made her a celebrity among kids who have heard her.  They mostly serve Arizona, but have provided books for 105,000 children in nine states.

 

One of the solutions to a book desert is to supply teachers with a classroom library.  She was appalled when she learned the Tolleson school library had zero new books in ten years.

 

She said 60% of children who live in low-income communities have no access to books.  Teachers are funding their own classrooms.

 

It's important.  Where literacy is strong, the community is strong.  More people vote and participate in their community.

 

Children need access to the written word.  Studies have shown that reading retention is lower when reading on an electronic device.

 

In poor communities, income is a factor.  Food is a priority over books when funding is limited.

 

In the Show Low area, there are eight communities sharing one library.  Some have to travel 30-45 minutes to get there.  

 

Book drives can be held.  Volunteer efforts need to be coordinated.  It takes teamwork to make the dream work.

 

 

 

Steve had some handouts on the tables.  He hopes all members will get on board to get donations for our Mesa West Rotary Foundation which is used for all our charitable endeavors.  The late Al Mabry was a mentor to Steve and many others in our club - he said Rotary was a bunch of do-gooders.  Our foundation helps us do more good.  The five team Captains are all Trustees of our foundation.  Steve had some sample letters which have since gone out electronically to all members to invite new or prior donors to give.  A few weeks ago, Allan Cady announced he had already received a $6,000 donation.  The goal has been set at $50,000.  He encouraged the teams to come up with a team name and have some fun competition.