This last meeting before our holiday break will provide a treat for Rotarians and their guests. CLICK HERE to download the flyer so you can share it with any guests you invite. CLICK HERE to e-mail Pam to let her know if you do plan to bring one or more guests so the hotel can be prepared with plenty of food for all to enjoy!
The meeting opened with Ray Smith, along with Wendell Jones and Darl Andersen leading everyone in singing the Salvation Army bell-ringing season theme song - "Silver Bells." Wendell and Darl provided the bell sounds as everyone sang. Daryl Bethea offered the invocation, and Bob Jensen led the Pledge of Allegiance. President Jim explained that not many of the club's accountants were signing up for bell-ringing shifts because accountants who speak to one person a day are considered popular...
Drawings
The weekly attendance drawing was won by Jim LeCheminant. Shelly Romine was holding the winning ticket in the weekly raffle making her the winner of the small weekly prize. Unfortunately, she pulled the eight of hearts when she attempted to draw the ace of clubs, so the larger, accumulating pot will continue to grow.
Guests
Bob Zarling introduced Eric Sheldan, Director of Midwest Food Bank as well as our speaker, Dr. James Blessman.
Happy Bucks
Shelly Romine contributed, happy to have won the weekly raffle. Wendell Jones asked to be billed for his contribution. Caroline had successful hip replacement surgery November 20 and was at home recovering. He expects she will be able to start attending meetings again in the new year. Lola McClane was happy to have traveled to enjoy spending Thanksgiving with family. Warren Williamson was thankful to have lots of food at their house. Son Hee always errs on the side of abundance when preparing their Thanksgiving feast. Don LaBarge explained that the Mormon Church had made a decision to disassociate the church from scouting. Of the 750 scout troops in Mesa, 720 were affiliated with the church. Don was going to attend an event where he would make a presentation with the hope that the outcome would be that many of the scouts would transfer to continuing troops - especially those youth who were working on and getting close to becoming Eagle Scouts. Tim Troy was happy he and his son were able to use John and Jane Benedict's tickets to the ASU/UofA game. Bob Zarling was also there with a friend. Steve Ross's surgery was reported to have gone well. Dick Myren was happy to be a Rotarian and spoke optimistically about the possibility of getting Honorary Member Rod Daniels to return to the club as an active Rotarian next year. Lee Holmes was happy to be at the meeting. John Pennypacker announced that Friday, December 6 would be Polly Schumacher's birthday inspiring the members to sing Happy Birthday to her. Chuck Flint announced that he had the opportunity to staff the Salvation Army Bell-Ringing station at Bass Pro with Ray Smith. At the station, there was a bag containing 350 pieces of chocolate. He reported that Ray ate less than half. Bob Zarling contributed, also thankful to have had the use of the Benedicts' ASU/UofA game tickets.
Presidential Humor
Three accountants and three lawyers were taking the same train trip. The three accountants purchased three tickets. The three attorneys purchased one ticket. The accountants asked how the attorneys planned to get away with only buying one ticket and were told to watch. The three lawyers crowded themselves into the restroom in the back of the car. When the conductor went through the car checking tickets, he noted the restroom was occupied, knocked on the door and said, "Ticket please," and a ticket was slipped out through a barely open crack of the door. The conductor went on his way. On the return trip, the accountants purchased one ticket and the lawyers purchased none. The accountants crowded into the restroom. After the train started moving, one of the lawyers knocked on the restroom door and in a deep, loud voice, said, "Ticket please."
Auction
Tim Troy explained many of the features of the four-bedroom vacation home they had recently purchased. He was generously donating a three-night stay at the home located in a gated community right on Oak Creek near Cornville, AZ. After purchasing it, they remodeled it. They have fallen in love with the Cornville area with all the wineries nearby. The value of short-term stays at the home is $375.00 a night. Greg Okonowski took his wife and kids there and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is beautifully decorated and there is lots to do, including hiking and fishing. President Jim started the bidding at $300. Greg Okonowski made the winning bid of $550.
Micro-Credit Trip Announcement
Darl Andersen announced that about two years ago, Mesa West Rotary got involved with a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation to intermediate micro lending - loans as small as $250-$300 to enable individuals in Mexico to become self-sustaining business owners. Annually, a trip to visit the Home Club, in Hermosillo Petit, Mexico. Our Club is the International Club. Darl wanted to encourage some of Mesa West's newer members to go down with the committee on the trip, which will take place January 23, 24, and 25. The Mesa West MicroCredit Committee consists of three members - Darl Andersen, Pam Cohen, and Chris Krueger. All expenses for the trip are covered. It is okay to go if not able to speak Spanish. Transportation is included. If interested, members should contact Darl, President Jim, Pam or Chris.
Program
Before introducing the speaker, Bob Zarling had a package containing items made in a training center in South Africa that an entire family would enjoy. Tim Troy's bid of $40 was successful in making him the proud new owner of some beautiful placemats. Bob then introduced Dr. James Blessman, originally from Clearfield, Iowa. He was a graduate of the University of Iowa Medical School and the founder of their Pain Clinic and the Free Iowa Clinics. Dr. Blessman and his wife made South Africa their home in 2001 with a purpose of helping children and spreading the word of God. Bob met Dr. Blessman when he went on a Rotary trip to view grant projects and see much of the work being done there. Bob plans to go again next October.
Dr. Blessman says it takes a lifetime to accumulate, but giving lasts beyond a lifetime. Assistant Governor Lee Holmes keeps going back to visit Dr. Blessman, brining friends each time. Mesa West Rotarians were invited to visit with Lee.
He described his life. His home is located on a safari game farm. Hunts can be arranged, but that is a very expensive sport. The animals killed on the hunts are donated to the mission providing meat to help the children. About twelve years ago, they received a Rotary water and sanitation grant which enabled them to put in thirty wells and build toilets which replaced disgusting and dangerous outhouses. A new grant currently in the preparation process will be sent before the end of the year. It will provide menstrual health kits containing washable, reusable kits that will last three years. The sewing preparing the kits will utilize local labor.
When Lee first visited Dr. Blessman's mission, they visited three local Rotary Clubs. That was "too many." Now they visit one or two clubs on each trip where they enjoy meeting local Rotarians. They have been found to be wonderful, giving people. Dr. Blessman does some medical work. The University of Iowa sends medical students there. The medical students get clinical experience, and the local residents in South Africa receive medical care, which is in short supply there.
They are in the northern province of South Africa. Dr. Blessman's son lives at their site in South Africa full time. Dr. Blessman and his wife spend about seven months of the year there. They chose South Africa because of already-formed friendships and relationships. They felt they could make a lasting impact there, changing lives.
In South Africa, one third of women have been raped. The new grant will enable them to train on women's health issues and life health issues. Promiscuity is a prevalent problem.
They work with "no fee" schools which enables them to work with the most impoverished students. Seven percent of the students need glasses. They work with social workers to identify poverty and malnutrition.
The cost of the annual twelve-day trip is $5,000. Many who travel there stay for additional sight-seeing in Victoria Falls and or Krueger Park.
Dr. Blessman says their life of service grabs the heart. They feed 20,000 children each week at the Del Kramer Center. They are provided a hot meal, help with education and participate in sports programs. They also supply other feeding centers. They have four sites to distribute from. They are supported by churches, Rotary, colleges. When in the US, they spend part of their time in Iowa with Phoenix being their second home in the United States.
Dr. Blessman said that the country of South Africa is one of the most economically successful countries in Africa. They have lots of resources. He said his home and car in Africa are as nice as what he has in the US, but poverty is twenty minutes away. He said there is more corruption in South Africa. He also explained that there are more children than adults in South Africa because of HIV and AIDS. He said the unemployment rate is 75-80%.
Announcements
At our December 12 meeting, Mesa West will host the official visit of District Governor David Simmer.
The Dickens Carolers will entertain members and guests at our December 19 meeting.
Don LaBarge shared the explanation provided Past Rotary International President Cliff Dochterman' about why an old shoe and a past district governor are a lot alike. They are both worn out, but both their tongues are in perfect shape.
We believe good health care is everyone's right. Yet 400 million people in the world can't afford or don't have access to basic health care.
Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That's why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.
Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.
How Rotary Makes Help Happen
We educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases. Rotary members have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time.
This last meeting before our holiday break will provide a treat for Rotarians and their guests. 
The meeting opened with Ray Smith, along with Wendell Jones and Darl Andersen leading everyone in singing the Salvation Army bell-ringing season theme song - "Silver Bells." Wendell and Darl provided the bell sounds as everyone sang. Daryl Bethea offered the invocation, and Bob Jensen led the Pledge of Allegiance. President Jim explained that not many of the club's accountants were signing up for bell-ringing shifts because accountants who speak to one person a day are considered popular...
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We believe good health care is everyone's right. Yet 400 million people in the world can't afford or don't have access to basic health care.
