This year seems to be flying by, but I am ready for warmer weather and getting out of the house more with the family! It's an exciting time of year in the Rotary world as we prepare the incoming presidents for their new roles, which will started this past weekend at PETS. Our incoming District Governor - Matt Tipton, has been busy preparing for the year, and I'm excited to have his leadership guide us through our new normal.
While I have just over three months left in my role, I'm loving the engagement with the clubs and can't wait to spend more time with each of you. Speaking of which, I wanted to officially announce that our annual district conference, aka "celebration," will be on Thursday, June 17th at 6 pm. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us. This event will be a celebration of the clubs and will be an excellent opportunity to connect with others across our district virtually of course! I will be sending a request to the club presidents ahead of this meeting to gather information to share.
Don't forget that March is water and sanitation month at Rotary. There are 2.5 billion people who lack access to improved sanitation and 748 million people who don't have clean drinking water. Nearly 1400 children die each day from diseases caused by lack of sanitation and unsafe water. When people have access to clean water, they live healthier and more productive lives. In April, our focus is maternal and child health. As Rotarians making a difference in these areas is certainly something that we can be proud of doing.
Thanks,
Angela Rickman
Rotary District 5750 | District Governor 2020 – 2021
Applications for the 2022 Rotary Peace Fellowship will open in February. Rotarians and local clubs are encouraged to promote the fellowship and share information with potential candidates. Information about the program and applicant qualifications is available here.
Please contact Steve Shepelwich, District Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair, at shepelwich@gmail.com for more information on the fellowships and how to get involved.
Rotary Youth Exchange is where my heart is. As you probably know my wife Susanne and I hosted more than 40 youth exchange students over the past years.
With the continued uncertainty of the pandemic and COVID-19 virus variants, inconsistent disease mitigation efforts, and the global imbalance of vaccine access – the board has decided to suspend the Youth Exchange program through 30 June 2022.
OKC Sunrise Rotary President Larry Hopper invites any Rotarians to its free, Dutch-treat ROTARAOKE social outing on Thursday April 29: 7pm until…, at smoke-free Friends of Friends (3705 W. Memorial in OKC, in the center at the NW corner of SH 74/Hefner Parkway & Memorial). Karaoke only if you Kare dare, but come anyway for good company, fun and conversation. Wear your mask to be safer from COVID, and in case you want to sing incognito😊. Wear a Rotary garment if you wish.
The Rotary club had applied for a grant from The Rotary Foundation to purchase the car seats. The grant was partially funded by the club, and also funded by The Rotary Foundation. The Woodward Wal-Mart also partnered on the project.
We had a very successful Valentines fundraiser due to the support and generosity of our past attendees and sponsors and hope to return to our regular wine dinner in 2022.
EOC Rotary delivered an estimated 100 pounds of peanut butter on Friday the 12th to the Mid-Del Food Pantry.
Malaria Partners International - - Striving to eliminate Malaria Worldwide
By: Clayton Taylor
With Polio “nearly” eradicated, we now strive to tackle the next preventable worldwide killer.
Malaria is seen by many as the next worst, widespread disease that is impacting the world – after polio. Malaria is a mosquito borne blood disease. In simplest terms, it has the most severe impact on children 5-years old and younger, as millions of the youngest children have died. For adults, it has the impact of a very bad case of the flu, thus resulting in mothers who cannot care for their children and fathers who cannot go to work to pay for food for their families.
The Bricktown Rotarians helped to donate over 40 pairs of Blue Jeans to Sister BJ's Pantry who helps feed and clothe the homeless on Saturday March 27, 2021. Sister BJ's goal was to collect 1,000 pair of new or gently used Jeans for the homeless.
The Rotary Club of Enid completed several projects this month in SUPPORTING EDUCATION, SAVING WOMEN AND CHILDREN, and DISEASE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.
The Bricktown Rotary hand wrote over 18 Valentine Cards and delivered 4 Boxes of gently used books for Northwind's Assisted Living Center which assists HIV positive persons at the end of February 2021.
Cushing Rotary recently completed a work day in which we painted and put the final touches on Rotary Park. The project was partially funded by the Rotary Foundation grant last year and the money was used to renovate and stain the gazebos currently in the park, construct awnings over the picnic areas, paint playground equipment, perform a general clean up of the park.
PREVENTING DISEASE: The Rotary Club of Enid had the honor to serve at the Enid Welcome Table! Thank you to Rotarian Steven Walkingstick, second from right, for coordinating the event. We were able to serve 158 meal to those for in need! #enidrotary#endhunger
Club 29 recently joined over 500 Rotary Clubs worldwide to support the disaster relief mission of ShelterBox. ShelterBox is a relief organization started by a Rotary Club in Cornwall, England in 2000 and in 2012, Rotary International adopted ShelterBox as its first Project Partner and remains its only disaster relief charity partner.
On April 13 at 5:30 pm OKC Sunrise Rotary Club will hold a Community “Listening Meeting” at Will Rogers Housing next to Rotary Park (park is at 1922 Westwood) as a part of a Community Assessment focused on Old Rotary Park and the nearby neighborhoods near it. Sunrise is collaborating with other Club’s planning efforts to protecting and beautifying the damaged 1922 Rotary Monument Wall and pavilion there on Westwood, an area tagged by graffiti and challenges. The monument, which proclaims “Service Not Self” is thought to be one of the oldest surviving Rotary monuments in America.
Likely service projects from the Listening Session would also engage the Housing Authority, the City’s Parks and Rec staff, a new elementary school, and others with a stake in the future of old Rotary Park and its environs.
Shane Williams has been named teacher of the 2020-21 school year by Red Oak Elementary School, and has been named as a Top Five Finalist for District Teacher of the Year by Moore Public Schools.
