Messenger (Nov 22, 2018)

I have so much to be thankful for this year. I count all of you at the top of that list. I am so honored to be a part of this organization and to be in this club with all of you.

We are the Ace of Clubs!

One of the things that I think all of you know that is near and dear to my heart is the need for clean water. We have partnered with the organization Aqua-Africa to do some fundraising on their behalf so that they are able to drill water wells in the South Sudan in order to provide clean drinking water. I can’t even imagine what it much be like to have to walk miles to the river each day and walk miles back carrying several gallons of water for my family. Water that is not sanitary even after boiling it and which causes serious disease. I have been fortunate enough to only have to walk as far as the nearest sink and turn on a faucet.

The issue of clean accessible drinking water is not only an issue in other countries. We were made aware of the need for drinking water right in our back yard in the Navajo nation. Due to the vastness of the reservation and the sparsity of the population, many there do not have access to drinking water within their homes and must rely on a water truck to deliver their water.

The people of Guaymas, Mexico do not have access to many health services. One of them that our club helps with is the hearing health project. This year, we served over 300 people that came to the clinic over the two days that we were there. We provided hearing for many for the first time and allowed others to get devices fixed so that they could continue hearing. To see a mother watch her child hear for the first time is a precious gift.

Once again this year, we will participate in the Salvation Army bell ringing project. The Salvation Army utilizes the funds raised during this time of year to provide many services for those less fortunate than we are right here in our neighborhoods. What a pleasure it is to know that with our few hours of volunteer efforts, many are fed, clothed and have basic necessities met in the coming year.

Many of you have heard the phrase that freedom isn’t free. It’s a price that has been paid for us by our many Veterans. Mesa West participated in the Veterans Day parade this year. We partnered with our Westwood Interact club to carry flags with veteran’s pictures from our vicinity. What an honor to remember those that paid the ultimate sacrifice for us.

We have awarded scholarships to many throughout the area in order that they may better their lives through the TRVFA program. TRVFA stands for The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona. It’s mission is to partner with Rotary Clubs to provide assistance to qualified candidates in obtaining education, training and skill development so they may, in turn, attain career oriented employment and financial stability and contribute to their communities.

These are just a few of the things that Mesa West Rotarians do to help better our world. This doesn’t even touch on the work that is done by the International Rotary Foundation with dollars that you help fund for good throughout our world. I am so proud and thankful to be a small part of this wonderful organization. You are all making a difference every day. I hope that each of you is surrounded by family and friends this Thanksgiving and feel as blessed as I do. If you are traveling, please be safe. I will see you again in a week.

Chris Krueger

2018 Top Chili Chef - Warren Haessler

The weather cooperated for a perfect evening at the home of Pam Cohen for the annual Mesa West Chili Cook-Off and Fireside Fun event.

Those who attended were treated to delicious and plentiful appetizers that were provided by many of the guests who barely had an appetite left when it was time to sample chili from each of the four pots containing the competing chili.

After a lot of sampling and re-sampling, the ballots were distributed, completed and collected. They were then counted with integrity and no re-counts were necessary to declare Warren Haessler the Top Chili Chef of the evening. He won a gift card that should help him shop for his next culinary adventure.

Following the announcement of the winner, an abundant array of desserts was available to enjoy!

A great evening of Mesa West Rotary fun and fellowship!

November 10 Foundation Dinner

PDG John Pennypacker starred as Charlie Brown at the November 10 District 5495 Foundation Dinner's presentation of "You're a Good Rotarian, Charlie Brown."

After being belittled by Lucy, Charlie Brown delivered a litany about the many good things done by Rotarians.

At the dinner, District Rotarians learned that Gift of Life Arizona is being absorbed by the larger Gift of Life Rotary organization that helps children with life-saving surgeries throughout the world.

Rotarians present celebrated the fact that District 5495 was the third highest in per member giving in 2017-18 in our Zone, and our Zone was the highest in per-member giving in all of Rotary.

International Service Commitments from October Friendship Conference

The USA-Mexico Friendship Conference and Project Fair held in Acapulco, Mexico October 26 and 27 was attended by Pollyanne and Allan Cade representing Mesa West Rotary. The Mesa West board had authorized them to make commitments at the conference to support projects presented at the event that they felt were worthy.

The conference was the 18th annual opportunity to fellowship with Rotarians from District 4185 in Mexico and our District 5495. Because of the long history, many warm friendships exist, and the process of putting quality project proposals together has been refined over time.

Mesa West commitments totalling $2,500 were made to the following projects:

$500 - Community development with the creation of textiles in Chiapas. The sponsoring local club for this project is the Cuernavaca club.

$500 - System for collection and storage of water in schools in Taxco. The sponsoring local club is the Taxco Rotary Club.

$500 - Community improvement, paintings where there was once graffiti, sponsored by the Puebla Rotary Club.

$1,000 - "Enchulame la silla," wheelchair restoration and purchase, sponsored by the Cuernavaca Juarez Rotary Club.

At the end of the Project Fair, clubs in District 5495 had committed $28,875 to the various projects presented with a match from District funds of a like amount. Clubs in District 4185 had committed $16,500 to the projects, again with a like match from their district funds. Total funds committed to projects presented at the fair was $90,750 (approximately 1,815,000 pesos).

In 2019, District 5495 will be hosting the Friendship Conference and Project Fair. It will be held at the Grand Canyon in October. Any questions should be directed to Allan and Polly.

Thanks to Allan Cady for providing the information shared in this article

Today's Chuckle

Donate to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona

Help someone struggle less. Donate to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona to help fund vocational education grants. Go to donate.trvfa.org to donate on-line. TRVFA is a Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) for Arizona tax credit donations of up to $400 for individual donors or $800 for a married couple. Their Arizona QCO code is 20698.

In 2017-18, generous Mesa West members made us the top club in membership support of TRVFA in the State of Arizona. Please help us again set the standard for supporting this unique

Rotarian-founded, Rotary-International-endorsed, charitable organization in the State of Arizona. Since its beginning over 25 years ago, TRVFA has been managed by a board of directors who are all active Rotarians and proportionately represent the Rotary Districts in our state.

Because the recipients of TRVFA grants need to meet specific low-income guidelines, TRVFA enables individuals who are struggling financially to enter well-paying professions and truly transform their own quality of life and at the same time improve the economy of our state.

If you prefer to donate by check, your donation should be mailed to TRVFA, P O Box 14412, Scottsdale, AZ 85257. Please indicate that you are a Mesa West Rotarian so they can give our club credit for your generosity.

November is Foundation Month

"It seems eminently proper that we should accept endowments for the purpose of doing good in the world."

Arch C. Klumph - June, 1917 CLICK HERE for a glimpse of Rotary Foundation history

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Nov 29, 2018 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Dec 06, 2018 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Dec 13, 2018 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Board Meeting

Webinar

Dec 19, 2018
7:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Dec 20, 2018 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Dec 27, 2018 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Jan 03, 2019 12:10 PM

Mesa West Rotary Weekly Meeting

Mesa Hilton

Jan 10, 2019 12:10 PM

Aqua Africa Sponsor Information Event

Jan 10, 2019
6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Aqua Africa Volunteer Information Meeting

Jan 12, 2019
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Nov 29, 2018

Dr. Ingrid McBride

Hearing for Humanity

Dec 06, 2018

Alexandria Papazian

Ballet Arizona

Dec 13, 2018

PRIVP, PDG Greg Podd

Climbing Kilimanjaro

View entire list

Member Birthdays

Kristin Klein

November 13

Keith Deering

November 24

Spouse Birthdays

Chris LaBarge

November 21

Anniversaries

Christine Krueger

Mike Krueger

November 8

Scott Morris

Tracy

November 10

Join Date

Alex Cohen

November 1, 2016

2 years

Dick Myren

November 1, 1995

23 years

J. Daryl Bethea

November 1, 1977

41 years

Wayne General

November 1, 2016

2 years

John Bethea

November 4, 2014

4 years

Geoff White

November 13, 2001

17 years

John Benedict

November 21, 2000

18 years

Rodney Daniels

November 30, 2003

15 years

President

Christine Krueger

President Elect

James Schmidt

Secretary

Donna Goetzenberger

Club Service Director

Pamela Cohen

Service Projects Director

Allan Cady

The Rotary Foundation Director

Charles F. Flint

Membership Director (480) 213-1617

Don LaBarge

Public Image Director

Jeanie Morgan

Executive Secretary

Aubrey Luma

Jeanie Morgan
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