January 2020 Newsletter
- All attendees must be a current Rotary, Interact or Roteract member.
- Limited seating requires that a lottery system be used to select participants.
- All attendees must ride the coach bus provided for the trip.
- All individuals attending must have a current valid passport.
- The trip cost will be approximately $175 per person.
I have worked hard to reduce the number of communications that District Rotarians receive from various District Committees during this year....so I hate to be sending this plea out to you again.....but the need is urgent for two wonderful Rotary programs to help others in our communities and the cost to you will likely be $0 -- only a little time to redirect AZ tax dollars to Rotary programs.
I am asking a huge favor in the spirit of Rotary. I am asking that EVERY ROTARIAN in District 5495 take advantage of the Arizona Credit for Contributions to Qualified Organizations by donating to charities that will benefit Rotary programs. If you support one or both of the programs outlined below you will get dollar-for-dollar offset of your Arizona Tax. It is not necessary to itemize deductions to receive this tax benefit. (See the contribution caps outlined below.)
If you are an Arizona taxpayer you have the incredible privilege of directing tax dollars to causes that benefit those who need a helping hand to achieve their dreams or a nutritious meal for those who are food insecure.
During Mr. Heberer's talk to the Rotarians, he noted that TRVFA is a partner with Rotary Clubs to provide financial and personal support to qualified candidates in obtaining education, training and skill development so they may, in turn, attain career-oriented employment, financial stability to raise their families and become productive citizens contributing to their communities. Because of their increased earning potential, they help grow the economy of the state of Arizona.
- January 17th-18th World Peace Conference, Ontario, CA https://peaceconference2020.org/
- January 21 Speak Up, Stand up, Save a Life (anti-bullying/suicide prevention @ Grand Canyon University https://www.speakstandsave.com/
- February - Applications open for Peace Fellowships https://rotary.org/en/our-programs/peace-fellowships Contact D5495 Peace Fellow Chair Tony Cerato at tcerato@aol.com or 719-351-6616 to learn more.
- June 6th-10th--> Rotary International Annual Convention, Hilo, Hawaii https://www.riconvention.org/en
- June 25th--> 3rdAnnual Rotary District 5495 Peace pre-conference event (D5495 Annual Conference at the Pointe Resort https://rotary5495.org/page/2019-07-01-2020-district-conference)
Departure was set for the morning of Friday, October 25th, with the students from the Valley (Emilee, Remy, Martina, Ben, Adryan, Rebekka, and Maci) meeting at a central location pickup point at 6:30 am. That partial group left Phoenix at 7:00 a.m. The First stop was Anthem, picking up three students - Tianna, Ashtyn, and Lucas, the second stop was Cordus Junction picking up Prescott student Quinn, third stop was
Sedona I-17 turn-off to pick-up Inbound student Louise, and the last pick-up stop in Flagstaff to pick-up Vince, Marcela, Cherish, and Gillian.
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book giftingprogram that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth until they begin school, no matter their family’s income. After launching in 1995 by Dolly,the“Book Lady”, the program grew quickly. First books were only distributed to children living in Sevier County,Tennessee whereDolly grewup. It becamesuch asuccess that in 2000,a nationalreplicationeffort wasunderway. This program soonexpended to allofNorthAmerica and subsequentlyEurope and Australia. Todate, more than 126millionbookshave been given away to ages 0-5. The run rate now is about 1.4 million books per month!
Eleven volunteers representing the Rotary Club of Scottsdale Arizona partnered with City of Scottsdale's Operation Fix It (neighbors helping neighbors) to complete a yard landscape installation of drought-tolerant plants and 15 tons of gravel for a Scottsdale homeowner in need. This is the second Operation Fix It project for the Club. The first was a house painting project in February 2019. Operation Fix It provides assistance to Scottsdale home owners with exterior improvements to their properties when they are unable to address due to financial/physical constraints.
Per the Club's Community Service Project Director, Laura Biever, the home owner were thrilled and thankful for all the hard work and beautiful landscaping job.
In addition to landscaping, the Rotary Club of Scottsdale presented to Michelle Holmes, Program Manager of Operation Fix It, a check for $1,000 for use on future home improvement projects within the City of Scottsdale. Operation Fix It program is not funded by the City of Scottsdale Arizona and operates on donations both financial and in kind and the support of our incredible volunteers who contribute their precious time, sweat and dedication to the program's mission which is: To find creative solutions to assist our residents in need with helpful hands and generous hearts.