After members and guests had arrived and spent a bit of time socializing and enjoying the wonderful array of appetizers, Allan Cady made some welcoming remarks for the first Mesa West social event held in the Cady's beautiful new home in Ahwatukee.  

 

Pam Cohen followed with some information about the back story of how the idea was formed and eventually became the reality we were all about to experience.

 

Chris Krueger, an alto, introduced the rest of the female half of the double quartet:  Rachel Viramontes, a soprano, is Robin Harris' daughter.  Soprano Brittney Asamane is Wendell Jones' granddaughter.  Alto Juli Crowder is a friend of Brittney.  Ray Smith also made some introductions.  The pianist accompanying the octet is Ray's little sister Nadine Wilkinson.  Ray and Robin Harris were introduced as the tenors with Wendell Jones and Darl Andersen singing bass.

 

Before getting started with the planned performance, Happy Anniversary was sang bey everyone celebrating Warren and Son Hee Williamson's wedding anniversary.  That was followed by everyone singing Happy Birthday to John Benedict.

 

The songs performed ranged from fun to nostalgic to inspirational.  The Crawdad Song was an immediate hit.  It was easy to enjoy some visual memories listening to Shenandoah.  More than one listener remarked about getting goose bumps and or tears in their eyes when they heard the group perform How Great Thou Art.

 

Everyone present enjoyed the opportunity to enjoy great food, fun and fellowship.  Not many Rotary Clubs could pull off such an evening rich with talent from five of their own members plus the ability to enlist the additional participation of talented friends and family members.  

 

A big "thank you" to Lola McClane and John Pennypacker for capturing some good photos to memorialize a great event!

 

The hands-on community service project for September took place on the 28th at Midwest Rood Bank's Mesa facility.  Representing Mesa West Rotary were Dan and Colleen Coons, Wendell Jones, Dan Lamborn, Kayla Mudge, Scott and Shelly Romine, and Ray Smith.

 

The Mesa West crew worked with other community members.  Together hey repackaged bulk cereal (Apple Jacks) into 10 oz individual portions.  The repackaged cereal is part of the weekend backpack project that provides low-income youngsters with food for the weekend when they don't have school meals. 

 

The large bin pictured is how the cereal is donated.  If you look closely you can see that it is 877 pounds!  The volunteers repackaged 2,000 servings during their shift.

 

Child Crisis Arizona hosted a Brunch For Love event at the Biltmore Friday, October 1.  Mesa West Rotarian Pam Cohen hosted a table at the fundraiser.  Shown in the photos are Mesa West Rotarians who attended the event in person.  Other members elected to attend the event virtually.  The photos were taken by John Pennypacker.  

 

Mesa West has a long history of supporting work done by Child Crisis Arizona in our community.  John Benedict was an active member of their board for several years.  For Messenger readers who want to learn more or who would like to donate online can CLICK HERE to go to the event website.

As Rotarians, we are regularly exposed to opportunities to support various causes with our time, talent and treasure.  Sometimes it is hard to sift through all the information and decide where we are going to use our available financial resources. 

 

It would be wonderful if every Arizona Rotarian would make the following BIG FOUR their Rotary charities of choice and support every one of them every year, we could make a bigger difference than we are making today.

The process isn't quite automated at this point in time, but we hope it soon will be.  For now, you can email our executive secretary who can help you work out a recurring donation plan should you wish to make that arrangement to support our own club's charitable activity.