PROGRAM
Brooke Summers of EveryMeal.org showed a video describing the non-profit’s operations and detailed its work in Fridley and Columbia Heights, where it distributes take-home food to 290 students each week. Members were urged to consider volunteering to pack or distribute food items.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Kim Hiel awarded a check for $500.00 to Kathi Ackerman of MN DARE. Ackerman provided an update on the non-profit’s activities.
President-Elect Stephen Keeler conducted the election of the club’s 2023-24 Board of Directors: President: Stephen Keeler; Secretary: Bob Tholkes; Treasurer: Greg Schraufnagel; President-Elect: Mike Oakley; Directors: Gordon Backlund, Josh Callahan, Kim Hiel, Erik Johnston, Amada Márquez Simula, Paul Nealy, and Wally Wysopal.
The Pollination Committee met virtually yesterday morning, February 7, with Rotary members Amada Márquez Simula, Kristen Stuenkel, and Bob Tholkes joined by Wes Nugteren of Columbia Heights High School’s Blooming Heights garden program and Neil Granlund of HeightsNEXT Community Foundation. Márquez Simula announced that HeightsNEXT has been awarded a $4,800 grant by the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization for the 2023 gardening season for enhancements to the garden at Lomianki Park in Heights. The Rotary club last year planted perennials in cooperation with the foundation, and supplied a letter of support for the grant.
Also yesterday, Fridley STRIVE students met with their mentors, including members Josh Callahan, Patty Hand, Kim Hiel, Steve Klaers, and Greg Schraufnagel.
Social Committee Scott Lund supplied a date, April 25, for the spring mystery evening outing. Details TBA.
Craig Malm announced that he will seek volunteers this spring to help distribute 160 bikes collected by Allina Health to students at Stevenson Elementary in Fridley.
REMINDERS
STRIVE students will visit Minneapolis College and Summit Academy on Tuesday, February 14. Members are invited to accompany the group. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103 if planning to attend.
STRIVE students will visit Hennepin Technical College in late March. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103 if planning to attend.
Save The Date: the annual district 5960 conference is scheduled for April 29, 2023, a joint conference with Districts 5580 (northern Minny and NoDak) and 5950 at Madden’s Golf Resort on Gull Lake in Brainerd. Registration is now open.
Additional mentors for Fridley STRIVE students are sought, and potential mentors next year at Columbia Heights High School are encouraged to attend the ongoing mentor meetings with Fridley STRIVE students. Contact Steve Klaers at 612-599-8103.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS: February 15: Susan Fullerton, new Executive Director of the Lee Carlson Center, will provide an update on the Center's programs. February 22: Betsy Hoium, daughter of member Vern Hoium, will describe her work as a hospital chaplain.
