Guess the date and time the barrel drops through the ice on Evergreen Lake. Tickets run $3 to $100 at shops and rec centers around Evergreen, and every ticket supports local causes. Deadline: March 17.

Larry Madden, a charter member of Mountain Foothills and a longtime Rotarian, passed away on February 22, 2024. A memorial service and celebration of life were held April 13 at Christ the King Church in Evergreen.

Our annual July tournament funds EPRD's INSPIRE program — sponsor a hole, bring a foursome, or volunteer.

Doug Fain flew 214 combat missions over Southeast Asia — an American hero joins us this week.

Smiling faces from Girl Scout Troop 818, and a Memorial Day reminder of the scouts' motto: Be Prepared.

Veteran life-safety educator Einar Jensen of Evergreen's first responders talks community risk reduction.

An honest conversation about attendance, membership, and where Mountain Foothills Rotary goes next.

Katheryn Severns Avery on Restoration Ranch and the strain on first-responder agencies across the country.

Fellow Rotarian Ted Ning went straight from medical school into military service — his story this week.

We're dark this Wednesday. Instead, join the Area 8 dinner on Thursday, April 20 at Mount Vernon Canyon Club, starting at 5:30 PM.

Reverend Duncan Miller returns to the club — and this time it's all about fun.

EChO's director of program services on the food pantry and the work of helping neighbors become self-sufficient.

Questions, suggestions, an exchange of ideas about the club — and a financial update on the Ice Melt contest.

A proposed mountain-bike park on a 9,000-foot peak above Conifer has the foothills debating Colorado values and priorities.

Fellow Rotarian Ted Ning was drafted straight out of medical school into the 101st Airborne — service above self, lived.

Collector and Peanuts expert Duncan Miller takes us through the life and times of Charles Schulz and his cast of characters.

Lynn Bastian shares her many trips to Nepal — the Himalayan nation that is home to eight of the world's highest peaks.

Evergreen Park & Recreation District's new executive director introduces himself and his plans for the district.

Golden Rotarian and two-time club president Kevin Nichol, fresh from a 40-year career in city planning, joins us this week.

Denver7's morning news came to Evergreen Lake for the 2022–23 Ice Melt contest — watch the 5 AM and 6 AM clips.

This week we bowl at Wild Game starting at 6:30 — and we still need volunteers to sell Ice Melt tickets next weekend.

Resolutions or not, it's the time of year to think about doing a little more for our club's goals in 2023.

No meeting this week for the holiday; we'll be selling Ice Melt tickets on Saturday, December 31 — a big day at the stores.

A delicious meal and abundant goodwill — thanks to Nancy Grant and Susanne Robert for a wonderful holiday party.

Bart Corfee on helping individuals and families reach their financial goals — a passion that began watching his grandfather build a business from scratch.

Well done, one and all, and thank you for your "More Fun" and assistance for the 2014 Falderal

T.J Carney, Chief Falderalian

With Summer now behind us, those who have done such a good job in making our Club's annual charity golf tournament a success wanted the Club, the Participants, the Beneficiaries and our community to have some information.

• This was the 12^th consecutive year of this event and the $31,000 net earnings is a record for the tournament.   We are in now in the process of distributing checks to the designated charities, which include EPRD Specail Populations, EChO, Crutches-4-Africa and The Foundation of Mountain Foothills Rotary.
• Next year’s tournament is scheduled for July 20, 2015 with a goal of even a higher return to these charities.  Save the date.
• Thank you one and all for your hard work and dedication.

Some time back, about 3 years, the Rotary Zone Institute for our area was held in Overland Park, Kansas.  A center of the attention for that meeting was the Rotary International Award given to Dave Talbot and Crutches 4 Africa.

Skipping forward to 2014, Dave continues to make connections important to the ongoing goal of helping people get off the ground and into society.  One of the Champions is a Texas Rotarian, Sandra Witt, shown here with Dave at the C4A booth at the Zone Institute in Westminster.

Also still moving forward is the goal of raising $44,000 is still underway at IndieGoGo.  If you have a way to help, please head there and do so.

The next tutoring sessions for Mountain Reads will be on Buffalo Park Road is near "Drive Smart". 

If someone would like to train to become an adult literacy tutor for our mountain community, could they please contact: Catherine Scott <cwscott2@msn.com> ahead of time for more information & so that training materials can be prepared for them.

Training Starts Monday Sept 8, five consecutive weeks, 4:30 - 6:30 at Ravenswood, 28699 Buffalo Park Rd just up hill from library.

Also, for more information, here is the website: http://mountainreads.org

Betsy

Crutches 4 Africa New Fundraising Campaign

Crutches 4 Africa has gone live in an exciting new online campaign on August 18^th.  The Campaign is to secure funds needed for immediate distributions.  We need this to go viral and worldwide.  The immediate goal is $44,000 and our stretch goal is three million.   You just never know who might know who, and how this can get into the inbox of that magical donor.  We have faith for this to be big, and need your help to do it.  For more and to donate click this link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/c4a-ship-4-containers-of-crutches-to-africa.  This is through a fundraising site at www.indiego.com.  These types of online campaigns have netted 10’s of thousands, hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars to worthwhile non-profits.

Please log on and assist us in any way possible or forward it to business associates, family, friends or even enemies (if you think they would help).

Crutches 4 Africa is raising money with this campaign to ship donated surplus and recycled mobility devices--canes, crutches, walkers, baby joggers, bicycle trailers, and wheelchairs--to people who desperately need them in developing nations. 

We are only trying to ship what we have already collected at this time.

In other news, we’d like the chili cook-off to remain an annual event but instead of concentrating on the fundraising aspect, make it more of a celebration of accomplishments and those who make things happen.

Read "more" to see why and what is possible.

Dave Talbot- Founder, Crutches-4-Africa

Potential Clean Shaven Guy, for the right generosity

Our 2014 Tournament was a success for our beneficiaries and it is largely due to our sponsors and Heros.  Here is the list, and whenever we see them, we should thank them for their support.

The New Rotary Year is upon us.  I look forward to working with this great group in the coming year.

Nancy Grant, Club President

On June 18, 2014 The Rotary Club of Mountain Foothills inducted our new satellite members.  New members include:

Roxanne Yelvington

Emily Alba

Wesley Yelvington

Matthew Collett

Sarah Jackson

Ernie Keller

Christopher Mancuso

Brandye Miller

Ethan Rold

Andrew Scripter

Lacee Hartvigsen

This exciting new concept will allow full membership, but different dynamics for the Satellite Club members. More folks committed to Service Above Self has to be a winner.

It is that time of year when Rotarians Worldwide gather to celebrate and encourage the focus of "Service Above Self".  This year, the gathering is in Sydney, NSW, Australia. And, is is his custom, our favorite junk collector is there, too. And he has sent some images to allow us to enjoy his adventures:

We all know how Dave works at these things, so here was his home from home down under

Before: and after:

Friday May 30th, Sydney Olympic Park

Today is booth set up day.  As is our habit for booth dressing we travel
light with tools that will gather in attention.  Get people to ask a
question.
I always enjoy these set ups, working to get the most out of our 10'x10'
booth (that is a corner booth this convention).  Basic materials needed for
the booth is banners and bungee-connected tent poles.  49 lbs. (22kilos) and
will fit within airline luggage size regulations, 62" (178cm) total
measurement of these 3, length, width, height.  I like the look of this one
the best so far in our 8 years at the convention

 

IceMelt 2014

This year, the Evergreen IceMelt continued to be a community event and success.  Here are the results for 2014

The official barrel drop time was Friday, March 28 at 13:17:31. The winners are:

1st Place: Linda Kirkpatrick ($1,000 prize)
2nd Place: Carla Boyd ($500)
3rd Place: Beth Feldkamp ($250)
4th Place: Rod Hock ($125)

All four winners are from Evergreen. Congratulations!

Our Wonderful Sponsors for 2014.  When you see them, deal with them or happen to be in their area, be sure to tell than thank you, and encourage them in what they do in our Community.

GOLD
 EVERGREEN NATIONAL BANK
 CONIFER ROTARY CLUB
SILVER
LAM TREE SERVICE
ELEVATION DENTISTRY
EVERGREEN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
TUSCANY TAVERN
KITTREDGE AUTO
DOGMA PET
DW’S 285 DINER
SMILING MOOSE DELI
MORNING STAR JEWELRY
STATE FARM INS-CHUCK RIDINGS
JOHN WATSON
MARK RYAN
1ST BANK OF EVERGREEN

MOUNTAIN FOOTHILLS ROTARY CLUB
 

BRONZE
 EVERBEAN
 EVERGREEN OIL
 DEAN HAAVE
 JOHN AND PANDORA PROPERTIES
TED SELLS
FIRESTONE AUTOMOTIVE

Sustainable Family Communities

A comprehensive new initiative assisting local impoverished citizens who have nothing, other than motivation to have a better quality of life, to build new, small completely sustainable communities that own job creating commercial businesses, have zero waste and zero poverty. The businesses use all of their profits to create and maintain the rental homes, facilities and services that a healthy prosperous community needs.  The citizens enable themselves, with dignity and pride, to create their own livable income while earning employee ownership and profit sharing, provide a good quality of life for their families, care for and adopt orphaned children, prepare the community’s children for their and their country’s future, and assist in starting other communities so more of their fellow citizens can move from poverty to prosperity. The communities are designed to be economically, environmentally, food and socially sustainable and self-replicating.  A new free market model that does not rely on government subsidies or ongoing charity.

For more information see:  www.SustainableFamilyCommunities.org

Or email:  BobM@SustainableFamilyCommunities.org

 With the $1,000 that MFR donated to Mountain Reads, combined with donations from other local Rotary groups, they will be able to receive $7,000 total in matching Rotary grant funds.  The group is very excited and will able to purchase a lot of text books with this money.

 If anyone would like to become a reading tutor and take the literacy training, the next tutor training begins Thursday May 15th at the Ravenswood's building (it's where Drive Smart is) located at 28677 Buffalo Park Road.  The training is from 4:30 to 6:30P & they meet once a month; usually on the 2nd Thursday of the month for 5 sessions.  If you do volunteer, please let me know as well.

 Mountain Reads has begun steps of moving towards adding tutoring towards math & GED.

 Betsy

Hi all!

Great news!  Steamboat Resort is going to let us collect in Gondola Square on April 12^th.   So all the partners are in place:

Sports Med, Boys & Girls Club, Steamboat Resorts.  Thanks to you!!

Fellow Rotarians:

Our club donated to assist Mountain Reads, and I wanted to share Diane Lange's story of success to reinforce the positive impact of our actions:

"Jerry Agee, tutor for Susana, one of our first Mountain Reads clients, just met her goal of being able to find a good job, which in her case, working at King Soopers.  She needed to be able to pass the necessary tests, etc.

"Susana will be going to King Soopers training program this coming week.  She knows that she can always receive additional tutoring when needed."

Mountain Foothills Rotary, and others, assists again.

Betsy

 Update:

Our members and guests donated $396.00, or $9.00 per member, and that is being forwarded to The Rotary Foundation as a per capita donation for each of our 44 members as an Annual Share donation.

Thank you.

Bring your international contributions to TRF night at Mtn Foothills.  All funds raised for the February 5 meeting (including Happy Bucks and Sargent at Arms) will be donated to The Rotary Foundation per capita for every member.  Your past generosity in well known, and we thank you in advance for your generosity the 5th.

So far we have 6 of 44 members who have pledged and paid the requested $10.00 donation.  All others interested should contact T.J at tj-mfrc@carneylaw.net to advise of additional pledges.

 And the Winner is:    David Brewick!  And his "Daves Red" chili! 

 Upon receipt of his cash prize, Dave immediately donated his prize winnings to Crutches 4 Africa!

 Thank you Dave!

  Well folks, the gauntlet is down as Dave has three titles under his belt!

 So start planning your chili now for next year's "Cabin Fever Chili Cook-off".

 Always the day before the Super Bowl.

 David Talbot

www.crutches4africa.org

 Each Week, at the Mountain Foothills Meeting, our Club holds a drawing to support our Club Foundation and Sustainable Family Communities, one of our international projects.  Thank you to all who participate.

 So far, the drawings have raised about $530.00.  The winner can selected from bottle of adult beverage that has been donated, a Rotary Scarf or ¼ of the amount raised that night in the drawing.  Feel free to join us, and test your luck.  The proceeds of the drawing are paid to our Club Foundation (25%) and the remainder to Sustainable Family Communities.

 Your support of the Club Foundation and SFC are appreciated.

Rotary International President Elect, Gary C.K. Huang, announced that his theme and drive for his presidential year with be "Light Up Rotary."  His announcement at the International Assembly was:

2014 - 2015 Rotary Leadership:

Rotary International President-  Gary C.K. Huang
District 5450 Governor-             Peter Ewing
Mountain Foothills President-      Nancy Grant

10 January 2014

RE: 1.) New overview showing the WHY and HOW of your communities project (pdf attached).
and 2.) a few words on what's going on in the background of your project.
   
  Thank you for your continuing support of our work of compassion to implement Sustainable Family Communities (SFC) as a means for assisting those living in poverty to create a higher quality of life for themselves and their families, and to reduce the number of orphans in the world.

  I would like to address two important issues with you: 

  1. Project Complexity - Some people think that SFC is an overwhelmingly difficult project to accomplish. However, when you examine the project closely (i.e., see it piece-by-piece or step-by-step), every individual component of the project is being done today by other groups. These include Service Clubs like Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, and universities, churches and others around the world (E.g. water wells, clinics, or schools and homes) with which we will collaborate. Attached is a pictorial review of the rational that shows you WHY we have chosen to employ a comprehensive design of SFC communities, and it shows HOW the project pieces all fit together. 

In truth, it is not the project design nor even building commercial businesses and homes that is the most challenging aspect of this undertaking.   The real complexity and the most difficult challenge is the effort needed to deal with government regulations (at the local, state and national levels) and existing social and economic norms that these communities impact within a country. Our new model does not easily “fit” within existing systems (many of which have evolved to perpetuate poverty). We are “breaking the mold” and advocating a new way for people to live – with zero poverty, in new, small, prosperous communities that are sustainable long term. Would you like to see less poverty around you? Help us implement these communities and watch it diminish. 

  2. Progress: It may appear to the casual observer that not much is being accomplished by SFC because they do not see businesses or homes being built. They ask, “When will families be moving into new homes?”.  Well, all of us working on this initiative want to see that also, but there are critical things that must be accomplished before the building begins (e.g. the complexities mentioned above).  For example, our accountants and attorneys from both the USA and Mexico working on specific legal pre-requisites that must be resolved, important relationships must be established with key individuals within both government agencies, universities, foundations and businesses.

Excellent progress is being made and there is growing support for building a network of Sustainable Family Communities. At the same time, we are continuing the fund raising for our operations staff to stay in Mexico while the above tasks are being carried out. If you want to see us doing the construction, we need your help to get to that point by donating operating funds to keep our staff in country working on the items listed above full time. 

Two of our donors recently made a short video that is now on Facebook – we encourage you to view the video at the following link:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/yswahbb7rplsekb/Mommy%20v-2.mp4

As they point out in the video, you can also support our efforts by sharing this email and attachment with your social network as well as donations. 
 
  A priority at this time is the raising of operational funds (transportation, housing and food) that will be used to support our executive director while living in Mexico while we acquire the funding there for the construction.
 
  To help with these expenses, you can make a credit card donation on our website: 
http://www.sustainablefamilycommunities.org/donate/   You will notice on the donate page, that we are now also able to accept BitCoin and LiteCoin donations.

  Thank you again for your interest, support, and for your compassion for the poor and orphans.

As always, we appreciate your feedback, ideas and comments.  

On behalf of our team, you are appreciated!

Bob Miller

 Dear Fellow Falderalians:

Our season of games is now done.  Your generosity is deeply appreciated, and if you have not done so already, please pay the Foundation of Mtn. Foothills Rotary the amount pledged and owing (see below under "more")  by giving/sending it to Rose.

 At our Meeting on the 8th, we drew from all members of the Club for Starbuck's gift cards.  Due to some immediate generosity of one of the drawing winners, a mispayment turned into a donation, and some good thoughts and efforts from one of our members, the net total raised for this year's Falderal is $2,880.00.  Our Club Foundation thanks you all.

  Mountain Foothills Rotarians are the absolute best.  See you soon.  This is my final report, and is the final publication of the sheet of pledges.  (Payments may not be current, as I don't have all the numbers of what Rose has received.)

 T.J Carney

Chief Fladeralian

 Med has issued a hearty thanks to all who have appeared to support our Bell Ringing this year.  He stated you did a great job, especially considering some of the weather.

Dave has reported his adventures of the year, and here is the link:

C4A 2013 Year End Update 

Warren rallying the kids

Images cannot describe the help and life that Crutches-4-Africa is providing. 

A report has come in from Dave Talbot, that both exemplifies the trials that he and Warren are currently overcoming to help people in gross need, but also his sense of effort and place.  It has been published in Just Around Here, so rather than just plagiarize and post, I thought I would give kudo's to both our project and one of our strong supporters as a Club.

Here is the Article from the November 19th edition entitled "My Birthday in Kenya"  (Click on the Highlighted Title to read the piece.  Feel encouraged to read the rest of the Articles, as well, as this is a strong and caring community voice.)

16 November 2013

RE: 1.) Social Enterprise Fair and Film Festival in Denver
and 2.) Our Indiegogo crowd funding campaign - click to see  ZERO POVERTY COMMUNITIES

We are getting more exposure and interest in the Sustainable Family Communities model.

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE FAIR & FILM FESTIVAL
This next Saturday (23 November) we will be participating in the Social Enterprise Fair as one of the organizations that is using the free enterprise system to allieviate poverty in our world.

Join us to see how private sector solutions are alleviating community challenges in the Western Hemisphere and beyond!
Sponsored by: • United Airlines • Enabled Energy, Inc. • Keymark Global Steel Systems
DATE: November 23, 2013 (Saturday) Time: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Where: Colorado Heights University Campus (S. Federal & Dartmouth in Denver)
Tickets: Early Registration $10/Person
All present and registered attendees over the age of 18 will be entered in a drawing to win: One Free Round trip Ticket within the U.S. or Central America courtesy of United Airlines!

Direct Link for Online Registration: http://marketswork-Families.eventbrite.com

What is “Social Enterprise?”
Social enterprises use business or “market-based” strategies to solve social and environmental challenges. They may be structured as a for-profit or non-profit and have been described as “doing charity by doing business.” While there are many mixed and experimental models, all share the goal of promoting self-sufficiency and sustainable development.

Social Enterprises Showcased include:
• Verifica (Latin America/Global)
• Sustainable Family Communities (Mexico)
• The Six-Second Project (Latin America/Global)
• Fluid Coffee Bar (U.S.)
• Rocky Mountain Micro-Finance Institute (U.S.)
• Healing Waters Int’l (Latin America/Global)
• Hope for Humanity (U.S.)
• Street2Life (U.S.)
• Work for the Door (U.S.)
• And more!
Hosted by PIER Institute and Colorado Heights University.
PIER and CHU are registered 501(c)(3) charities. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Direct Link for Online Registration: http://marketswork-Families.eventbrite.com

and second, we also are getting exposure on the 
INDIEGOGO CROWD FUNDING SITE
Take a look at our Campaign at this link
     ZERO POVERTY COMMUNITIES

Thank you again for your interest, support, being part of this project and for having compassion for those who we are serving.
Please pass this information on to others who may be interested.
As always, we appreciate your feedback, ideas and comments. 

On behalf of our team, you are appreciated!

Bob

Clear Creek Interact Club of Rotary

The young men and women of Clear Creek High School Interact Club.
Current status:

Membership   -     24

Projects

        River Watch  -  monthly sampling of Clear Creek for Water Quality evaluations by County environmental staff.

        Club Rush  -  clearing house for students to sign up for community service hours to meet graduation requirements.

         Project to raise money for needy Georgetown family. One fund raiser to date netted $66.

In addition, the flooding this Fall caused the cancellation of the Interact District Conference, and that is being rescheduled in January.  Clear Creek Interact is one of the hosts.

29 October 2013
    
Hello Fellow Mountain Foothills Rotarians:

Thank you for your continuing interest in our work of compassion to implement Sustainable Family Communities for less poverty and fewer orphans. 

I wanted to bring two updated items to you.
 1. Our newest short video is Poverty or Prosperity?  What are we doing? and you can see it by Clicking Here  (http://youtu.be/ZPtx2e6NnwM)   (3 1/2 minutes)

  2. Our updated Executive Summary (3 pages) that gives an overview of the Sustainable Family Communities project is attached to this email.  Attached below.

Please share this report and video with your social network/Facebook/Twitter. 
 
We are continuing to look for operational funds to begin implementation of these communities in Mexico.
 
To help, you can make a larger one time donation OR smaller monthly automatic recurring donations (e.g. $100 per month)  by Clicking Here.for PayPal (and also our mailing address for checks) or if you prefer here for the Network for Good donation site N for G Donation  

Thank you again for your interest, support, being part of this project and for having compassion for those who we are serving.

As always, we appreciate your feedback, ideas and comments. 

On behalf of our team, you are appreciated!

Bob

Bob (Robert) Miller
Executive Director
Sustainable Family Communities
Our Family Orphan Communities, Inc.
www.orphancommunities.org
www.SustainableFamilyCommunities.org
USA Office: 303-514-6858
USA Cell: 303-941-0837 
Mexico Cell: (52-1) 55 45 39 46 74

Our speaker Dr. Kathy Fortune

at the last meeting in August had us thoroughly enthralled with her story, survival and spirit.  What we need.

It's always inspiring to hear a story about someone who succeeds against the odds, but Kathy's storytelling ability made her story come to life in an amazing way. How does someone who grew up poor in a small tin roofed house in Florida go to Harvard, become a successful psychiatrist and nationally known forensic consultant?

Sustainable Family Communities – Summary of Trip Report 8-30-13

Robert Miller, Mountain Foothills Rotary, US

Major Accomplishments form this last trip:

Evaluation of Design Options for a Prototype SFC Commercial Business

Our two design experts in the areas of aquaculture and greenhouses, Erwin Young and Nick Parker, the parcels of land being offered to SFC by the ejido were studied and evaluated.  Based on that,  to our existing designs were refined to achieve conformity to the specific characteristics of the land.  Work products from this effort will include updated cost and production projections as well as identification of market potential for our products, and calculated new jobs to be created , and assessment of local wholesale markets for our produce and fish were also completed.  Local retail demand was also assessed by way of visits to both high-end and neighborhood grocery stores.

The Viability of Establishing a Cellular Lightweight Block Plant (CLC)

Warren Rose, a member of the SFC Steering Team, has done considerable research into the CLC technology along with preliminary investigation of business opportunities for such a business in Mexico.  On this last trip, we learned from Past District Governor of Rotary District 4170, Victor Belendez, that such a business, if located within central Mexico, would very likely enjoy a robust market for the CLC products.  Evaluation will continue.

Project Funding from within Mexico

We met with Jesus Campos Orozco - President of FONDO FIDES ECOSOL, a US$100M International Development Fund focused on supporting projects that will promote development of social economy.  Senior Campos was enthusiastic about the SFC project and requested copies of the Master Plan and Financials.  This is especially encouraging due to his 25 years of experience working with indigenous workers and cooperatives across Mexico. Senior Campos informed us that he knows the location of several parcels of land in Central Mexico where the land needed for an entire SFC community may be acquired by donation.

We are pleased to also report that our friends in Mexico donated another $720.00 toward the costs for this latest trip, bringing the total of  donations from within Mexico to approxmately, $12,500.00.  Thank you Mexico!

Refining the Master Plan for Sustainable Family Communities

We are excited to report that we have been successful in acquiring commitments from noted professors and architectural students from within Anahuac University who have taken on the important task of tailoring our Master Plan to more closely conform to the social, cultural characteristics and traditions of Mexico. 

Forward motion is exciting, and progress is gratifying.

With gratitude,

Bob

What does a smile, or a life-altering change cost?

Summary of the shipping expenses for one container (US $): 

     Container:                $  4,000
     Shipping:                  $  6,400
     Kenya customs:         $  1,500
     Overland transport:    $  4,500
     Uganda customs:        $    500
     Total:                 $ 16,900

 For the 3,000 mobility devices sent by Crutches 4 Africa to Uganda in March of 2013 it was about $6.00 per pair, chair, walker, cane or other device, as is shown in the table above.

 So what was accomplished?

The little crane that couldn't - Tororo, Uganda

Contents of the Uganda container - Benedictine Eye Hospital, Tororo

The 14 year old Young Lady who fell from a Tree, and her

Replacements for the worn out 1^st set of crutches

Happy recipient - Busumbu, Uganda

This is what makes it all Worthwhile!!!

Crutches 4 Africa has already collected enough mobility devices to fill the next container, but we lack the funding to ship it. What price can you help us with on the next lives and smiles, and disability workshops we can produce and provide?

Sincerely-  Dave Talbot

Rotary is a way of thinking.  AS we start this year, the thoughts remind us of our Club's commitment to youth, life and healing.

 You, as Rotarians make it happen.  What happens from your efforts is Magical, and bring the communities of Evergreen, Rotary and the World together.

Sincerely,

Rich Mancuso.

Dave has reported in as follows:

 A quick update in between groups coming by…

 I came to Lisbon with 7 goals for contacts and so far I have surpassed that and am now at an even dozen for the things I hoped to accomplish here.

(Dave obviously ran in to a local guy in Portugal)

 So all is good!  Weather, exceptional,   Food, great!  Beer, excellent!

 So I am sending along a few photos and hope to load some more onto Facebook.  When that is accomplished, I will let you know I have done that and perhaps you could tell the club to check our Facebook page.

(Crutches-4-Africa-  Lisbon Branch Office.)

 Only cloud on the horizon is a general strike is scheduled for Thursday, which is our flight day and also the flight day for us, may see delays.

Sustainable Orphan Communities is the brain-child of a wondrous adoptive parent, corporate trainer, and amazing Rotarian.  SAC is involved in all 6 of the Rotary International Areas of Focus, and now has a location in Mexico.

Salamanca Rotary Club wants a Sustainable Family Community

They would like to see it near three impoverished communities that they are currently helping.

The residents of the three communities have no jobs, no electricity, no running water, no sanitation facilities, lots of rocks, little rain, few crops and a very difficult life.

We have come a long way.  Although there is just a short way left to go, the effort is huge, and requires dedication and commitment to End Polio NOW!

Even after we are gone from Africa, at home and getting back to speed (American speed that is) there are those that continue to work on behalf of Crutches 4 Africa.

The barrel fell through the ice on April 8, 2013 at 16:56:04.  Drumroll... And the winners are:

1st Place: David Singer of Evergreen - $1,000

2nd Place: John Ellis of Evergreen - $500

3rd Place: John Lange of Golden - $250

4th Place: Robert "Rylen" Billings of North Barrington, Illinois - $125

 On April 3, the Mountain Foothills Rotary Club (that is all of you) committed more resources to the fight against Polio.  Through commitments of the members and fines and collections on the 3rd, each member of the Club (totaling 45 at the moment) contributed $8.00 to PolioPlus.  (This is in addition to at least $2,500 contributed to PolioPlus directly in support of member qualification for Paul Harris Fellowships this Rotary year, but more about that on April 24.)

 That is a total (so far) for this Club-wide effort of $360.00 at the meeting, and an additional $100.00 has been received.

 Anyone else who wishes to commit further on behalf of the club and its members, please do so by contacting T.J to discuss.

 Well done, one and all.  Once again your generosity is wondrous.

 Dave Talbot, subject to the vagaries of everything else he has to do, is back among us.  He has provided the summary below of what "Trip 13" set out to do, and what was accomplished.

 In addition, he is headed to Steamboat Springs for:

Where are the orphans?

 When I first started volunteering to help at an orphanage, I thought all the children there were orphans. It took a while before I learned that most of them were not.  So when we help an orphanage by putting in a well, or building a school, or giving them clothes, who are we really helping?

 While a few had lost their parents or had been removed from abusive families, it turned out that the majority of the children were there because the parent or parents were so impoverished that they could not take care of them. Some mornings, we would wake up to find one or more children who had been left at the gate. The parents knew that the children in the orphanage were eating every day, going to school and had people who would watch over them (or so they assumed).

 With poverty being such a major reason why kids end up in orphanages, why are there not more serious efforts to address that cause?  To create more jobs, teach job skills and provide micro-enterprise development so the parent(s) can afford to take care of their children?  

 The Sustainable Family Communities project is addressing that cause. We are working to create the businesses, jobs, training and community support that parents need to be able to keep their children and provide a decent quality-of-life while preparing them for their own and their country’s future. And you are helping us to be able to provide that for them. 

 We are doing the right thing! This week we received direct confirmation in the form of a meeting with Lynn Hammond, a Rotary Foundation Trustee and Past Rotary International Director.  

 We are moving forward, and have the thoughtful power of Lynn and many others behind us as the next part of our project gets underway.

Best, Bob Miller

District Governor, Mike Klingbiel, has asked all of us to support the eradication of Polio.  We can do this financially by texting "Polio" to 90999 and then confirming the e-Mail we receive.  The week commencing February 18, 2013 is targeted in our District as "End Polio Week," and the period he is encouraging us and our friends to make this donation.  Each time we do this, $5.00 is added to your bill, but also to the End Polio Now effort of Rotary International.  You do not have to be a Rotarian, anyone can text to help.  Think about it, and encourage your text literate friends and family to do this for those in need.

Additionally, I have asked every club member to consider a donation of $10.00 or more by April 3 to the PolioPlus Program.  Texting a donation as above will count toward this, but you have to let me know, please.  In addition, some members have given cash or checks (made out to PolioPlus, please) to me or Rose toward this request.  Thank you.

 On April 3, all fines, donations, birthday or anniversary payments will be applied so that every member of our club (in additional to whatever else each has done) is credited with a donation.  Consider making a donation of $50.00 to PolioPlus ($1.00 for each member, approximately) on that date to End Polio Now!!

 Thanks,

 T.J Carney, International Programs Chair

Mountain Foothills Rotary has assisted in the formation and chartering of the Clear Creek High School Interact Club.

 District Governor Mike Klingbiel awards the Interact Club Charter to Faculty Advisor Kara Butterworth and Club President Jordan App at the Interact Club meeting at Clear Creek High School on January 30, 2013

Dear Fellow Falderalians, and Mountain Foothills Rotarians:

We have an amazing group and 2012 is now in the books.  Rose and I have information on what is owed, if any of you still have questions, but, to end it all, thank you all for your spirit, fun and generosity.

SAC Steering Team continuing elaboration of the implementation strategy that will accelerate creation of the first Sustainable Adoption Community. Participants included: (L to R); Bob Miller - MFR, Warren Rose - MFR, Abbas Rajabi - Denver SE club & experienced with 20 Rotary projects in Mexico), Dr. Dan Wessner - Regis University Chair of History & Politics, Cathy Marquez -  Extensive cultural experience and expertise with indigenous peoples, Michael Lanier - MFR, Jeffrey Mantz - Castle Pines club with deep experience with Rotary projects in Zimbabwe, Clay Takara - MFR, Peter Baird - Wells Fargo Financial Advisor with in-depth experience with Mexican peoples and culture, Trent Winegar – current President, MFR. Photo taken by TJ Carney – Past President MFR.  Not present were Mat Matson – Past District Governor and Conifer Rotary Club, and Maria Rosa Camp – Founder and recent Director of into your Hands – Africa - Evergreen club.

We are truly excited about the expertise that is gathering (see above) to provide invaluable advice, insights and guidance in support of this Mountain Foothills Rotary Club international project.

The discussion/work centered around sending a team to Mexico City in February.  The key purpose of this trip is to meet with Frank Devlyn (FPRI), certain philanthropic individuals and key governmental officials.  The specific goal is obtaining commitment from Mexico based Rotary Clubs to become Champions of SAC as we establish cooperative partnerships in a cross-border coalition of Mexico Rotarians, Mexican philanthropists and their Charitable Foundations, and Mountain Foothills Rotary Club.

In addition to further solidifying our working relationship with Frank Devlyn, we will be meeting with Rotary District Governors (Past, present and elect) and Rotary Clubs from central Mexican states.  Meetings are also being planned with organizations and foundations including: Comex Foundation (property restoration), ProVivah (home building), ProEmpleo (micro-enterprise development) and Agropark (greenhouse  building).

We are most grateful to the Board of Directors of our Mountain Foothills Rotary, the Board of our MFR Foundation, and our fellow MFR club members for their support of the Sustainable Adoption Communities project. Together we are committed to changing the lives of orphans around the world and demonstrating the viability of a true “solution” model that can be applied by Rotary and other organizations around the world.

Sincerely,

Bob Miller.

 2013 - 2014 Rotary Leadership:

Rotary International President-  Ron Burton
District 5450 Governor-             Dan Himmelsbach
Mountain Foothills President-    Rich Mancuso

Evergreen Ice Melt Contest Officially Underway with Barrel Placed on Lake Jan. 2^nd

Evergreen, CO – Members of the Mountain Foothills Rotary Club placed  the 2013 Evergreen Ice Melt Contest barrel on Evergreen Lake on Wednesday, January 2 at 3 p.m. Club member, Jerry Lautigar,  assisted by Club President Trent Winegar and other Rotarians,  cut a hole in the ice into which the barrel was  set.  It will be monitored until it falls into the lake when the ice thaws.

 Individuals can participate in the Ice Melt Contest by purchasing tickets and entering the date and time when they believe the barrel will fall through the ice.  Tickets and more contest details are available at www.EvergreenIceMelt.com.  First place prize for the most accurate guess is $1,000; second place $500; third place $250; and fourth place $125.  Proceeds from ticket sales go to support Evergreen Christian Outreach, the EPRD Special Needs Program, and charitable causes of the Mountain Foothills Rotary Foundation. 

Following the barrel placement, Ice Melt sponsors and community partners joined the Mountain Foothills Rotary for a “launch party” at Willow Creek restaurant.   Local sponsors are invited and encouraged  to help us reach this year’s $20,000 fundraising goal.  Interested sponsors can call 303-886-6463.

            To date, Gold Level Sponsors are Chow Down, Colorado Serenity, Evergreen National Bank, and JustAroundHere.com.  Silver Level Sponsors are Dogma, DW's 285 Diner, Elevation Dentistry, Evergreen Dental Group, 1st National Bank of Evergreen, Hanson & CO CPAs, Lakepoint Center, Mountain Park Vets, and Willow Creek. Bronze Tier Sponsors are Cabinets of Denver, EverBean, Evergreen Oil,   Intero Real Estate, Le Boudoir, Loanbright, Ponderosa Car Wash, Sells Law Firm, and Tuscany Tavern.

            Evergreen Park & Recreation District, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and Evergreen Fire and Rescue are supporting partners of the Evergreen Ice Melt.

Dave wrote to us about the following story, that he wanted to share:

Today we met with two local disability groups here in Kisumu.  During the first meeting one woman (Sara) gave testimony that she had previously been a beggar.  Her family called her "beggar woman" instead of Sara, and she struggled to support her children. She had no self esteem. 

She received crutches from C4A in 2009 and at that time she started a her own small business, grilling corn on the street corner.  Soon, she started crocheting strips from plastic grocery bags that were free everywhere.  They are simply remarkable!  (Sara is the woman on the right in the photo below:

Another life lifted from the dust to community, and from hopelessness to sufficiency by donations of unwanted mobility devices to those who really need them.

These videos are of Dave and Candice's activities.  This is the distribution at Meru, Hospital in Kenya.

Med Durel announced the schedule this year for the Salvation Army Christmas Bell Ringing at Safeway, Hwy 74, Evergreen.  We are doing this for 5 weeks, and there are three weeks remaining.  The schedule and those signed up is:

 Remaining Schedule of Mountain Foothills Rotarians

 Sunday, 12/9-    10 AM to 12 Noon-   Wally G and Bart and Toni

 Sunday, 12/16-   10 AM to 12 Noon-   Jeanne C and Bill D.

 Sunday, 12/23-   10 AM to 12 Noon-   Cindy D and David N.

 Thank you for your efforts.  You can expect a reminder call, and for any other questions, call Med Durel, 303-674-2378

TECHNICALLY, ROTARY

 (RotoTechie No. 3)

Attending Virtually from Everywhere I Want to Be

By T.J Carney

Mountain Foothills Rotary

 We have to many demands on our time.  Add that I am a Rotarian, too.  Each Wednesday I gather with my Club to celebrate, learn, organize and develop what we do through Rotary.  We interact, and we have our fellowship.  Sometimes, we also meet other times and places to get that volunteer effort organized, continued or culminated, and it is hard to be everywhere.  It is now possible for me to be most places I need or want to be much more easily.

 Telephone Conferencing:

 As an attorney, Library or Fire Board member, Rotarian, or with my family, I have been a disembodied voice in a meeting or gathering.  Many reading this have had this experience, from one side of phone or another.  When there is only one calling in from afar, it is simple, but when more than one want to do so, a telephone conferencing system is required.  Our District Technology Committee has introduced me to Rondee (http://www.rondee.com). 

 What is it?  It is a “free” telephone conference calling system. 

 What does it cost?  You need a telephone, and will have to call in to a telephone number in California (or somewhere) that doesn’t presently have “800” numbers available. 

 What can you do with it?  You can talk to as many people as you need for whatever you are trying to accomplish.  A committee meeting of 10, a family phone reunion of 50, or a business conference of 3 are all available options.  You can record the meeting (especially important if you are a lousy note taker), and make it available to others who could not attend.  A list of those who did attend will also be available to assist in what is later needed.

 Why would you want it?   Because sometimes we still have to talk to accomplish a goal.  Coordinating a shipment of crutches to Nigeria in a hurricane by speaking with the storage company in Pennsylvania, the shipping contractor in N.Y., the volunteers in Maine, and the guru of such things in Colorado becomes as simple as sending a time, date, and phone number with an access number (PIN) to those who need to be there.  No airline flights.  No train trips.  No driving across town or two states over.  (Even then the shipment was delayed a week by Sandy.)

 There are many systems.  These days almost any phone service that also offers internet to residences or businesses offers some kind of conferencing set up.  But free (except for the call to California), unlimited, recordable, and referable are all things that the CEO or the grandfather or the Health and Hunger Chair can find endearing and useful about this process.

 Maybe we should try it to see if some group of us (which will require we get our own wine, unfortunately, unlike my club’s weekly pre-meeting fellowship) can operate to do good while comfortable at our home or office (or even the airport on the way to Kenya).

 Interested?  Contact me for questions or instructions.

TECHNICALLY, ROTARY

(“RotoTechie” No. 2)

As Children, Weren’t We Taught to Share?

Now we can communicate and be seen (Video Conferencing, see, RotoTechie No. 1)) and tie together as many of us as we need to talk things through.  What if we could see what we are talking about?  Some of us don’t learn or understand by hearing, we have to see it. 

Computer Screen Sharing:

“I have a cool design that is just perfect to correct your problem,” she said.  I thought, yeah, well, “Really cool” to her may be really hideous and unworkable to me.  Since she is half my age, and 4 time zones away.  After all, I have not exactly followed the typical fashion line in my life, in clothes or building layouts or furnishings.  So I said, “That’s nice to hear,” in as flat a tone as possible.  So she said, “You want to see it, now?”  “You’re in Kihei, I am in Colorado, I am not ready to sign off on something I haven’t seen.”  And she said “Join.me,” although I am not sure that is what I heard.  So after a pause, with a slight chuckle, she said, “I sent you the link, I use Join.me.”  (http://www.join.me.)

What is it?  It is a “free” screen sharing system that allows up to 250 viewers at the same time of the computer screen in front of you (or somewhere else that needs to be seen). 

What does it cost?  You need a computer or smart phone or tablet with the correct application “App.”  Other than that, the free version is “Free,” and the collaborative version is free for up to 4 “team members.”  (For the Free version you use the “Basic” button to start.  There is a “pro” version, too, that has more features and a cost.)

What can you do with it?  You can let up to 250 people at a time see the same thing you are working through on the screen of your computer.  You can make changes, update screens, provide any visual information you can display on your computer monitor or smart phone, and they see it.  (YouTube Demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wH4LXzswf4)

Why would you want it?  You may need to run a power-point from a meeting.  You may need to train someone on opening the container of crutches in Mombasa.  You may need to show something important (like how did you find that on the District Website?).  How about pictures of your hail damaged roof?  How about your grand-child in the mud with the frog?  I think you get the idea.  Sometimes People need to see what you are talking about.  It’s easy if you are together (well maybe less so with 250 people), but it’s hard if you’re not all in the room.

We were able to see the new drawings for repairing a water leak.  We didn’t see a photo from the manufacturer’s advertising, but from the contractor’s phone a video of the stocks on hand and other projects, and were able to see the “cool” quality of the materials.  It made the decision making a lot easier.

 Can we make some of our meetings open online Join.me?  Those traveling or home bound could participate in a Club Assembly.  It’s not our Fathers or Grandfathers Rotary meeting, but, could it work?    T.J Carney

We mourn the passing of Kay Brewick’s sister and our fellow Rotarian Connie Lisowe who passed away Saturday; losing her battle against breast cancer. 

Connie was vivacious, fun loving and good friend to all of us who came to know her.  Her passing came way too young and she will be sorely missed. 

Information regarding services will be shared as soon as we hear more from Dave or Kay.

A Funny Thing Happened on My Way to a Rotary District Committee Meeting

 In our Rotary club, there are many of us who no longer have a day to day need for conference calling, business travel, document delivery, faxing, or some of us even some types of phones (hard wired or cell).  At the same time, new and improved (and free) means of doing many of these things have appeared, and are being used very effectively, for business, family, hobby and Rotary Committee meetings.

 Our 2012-2013 District 5450 Governor, Mike Klingbiel, happens to be in the technology business, and for him, using these things, and finding out about them, are a daily occurrence.  He is a founding part of the District Technology Committee (http://www.clubrunner.ca/Portal/SitePages/SitePage.aspx?did=5450&pid=71395), and while nothing is totally free or perfect, some interesting tools have been/are being put into use.  Since there are no licensing deals, or donations involved, here is my first installment to talk about what we are and/or could be using.

 Video Conferencing:

 Most everyone has heard of Skype.  (www.skype.com)

What is it?  It is a “free” video conferencing system. 

 What does it cost?  You need a microphone/video webcam ($40 plus or minus depending on quality), a Smart Phone or Computer or Internet enabled T.V ($who knows) and the Skype program ($0.00 if you just want to video conference with one other Skype subscriber at a time). 

 What can you do with it?  You can talk to other users and see them on your monitor.  (It’s Dick Tracy’s wrist phone on steroids. (Demo YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWq7n4w3cq4)

 Calls with multiple participants (which does have an additional subscription cost attached), like your family in 4 countries are possible.  You can call any working telephone in the world from your computer (may have additional cost).  You can send and messages by text to/from any subscriber.  You can also have (for an additional cost) a phone number assigned to you that will ring on your home, office or cell phone but is accessible from any phone or Skype subscriber (like having Century Link, but not them or their charges.)

 Why would you want it?  In the lingo of my teenage years, “It’s, like man, really cool.”  Seeing family and friends far away, not just hearing them or reading their letters and e-Mails, is a wonderful experience.  Besides, Dick Tracy could only communicate with his team.  George Jetson has it in everything, including his head set, and you can now get computers built into your sunglasses (assuming you would want that.)

My Skype address is SkypeTJ, and feel free to try it out and connect with me my fellow Rotarians.

David has great news, and huge opportunities for Crutches 4 Africa, and Rotarians around the World.

At the moment, C4A is collecting Wheel Chairs for the Rotary Club of Karachi, Pakistan.  He has asked each Club in District 5450 to donate 1 chair.

At the moment, there are 9 pallets of mobility devises stored in Dulluth, Minnesota as a result of the efforts of the College of St. Scholastica Rotaract Club.

At the moment, Dave is basking in the positive energy of a Cabin Fever Chili Cookoff in a Blizzard, that generated badly needed funds.

Dave is headed to Bangkok for the RI convention, and then to Pakistan and Africa for distributions.

A great program moves forward.

How inspiring when a visionary leader identifies a need in less developed counties and energetically addresses that need, particularly when the charitable activities that make a difference involve Rotary! 

Dave Talbot and his wife, Candice [and] their story about Crutches 4 Africa. 

While working on a documentary film in Uganda in 2005, [Dave] witnessed a woman struggling to be mobile with only a limb from tree for a crutch.  That image griped his mind and engendered a vision: Crutches 4 Africa,   On a subsequent visit and just by chance, they saw a large 4’ x 6’ sign at the head waters of the Nile river that boldly displayed the Four Way Test.   . . .  Polio was the disease that partially crippled him at age 2 ½.   Dave realized that a connection could be made through Rotary International to bring surplus mobility devices like canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs from the United States to Africa where such equipment is practically non-existent.

. . .From a humble start in 2006 with the delivery of 235 pairs of crutches to the needy in Uganda, the support for the organization has grown so that by 2010, Crutches 4 Africa had delivered 10,000 mobility devices.   [Adding 5 additional containers in 2011 brings that total to 43,000.] The initial goal is 1 million.

Crutches 4 Africa was fortunate to receive a $50,000 donation from a private foundation in 2011 which covered the cost to deliver 5 containers.   Today each container costs $10,000 to ship and on average has 3,500 mds packed inside.  That puts the cost of each md delivered at $3 USD each!   Please share any ideas you have about funding sources to help Dave and Candice continue this effort.   Incidentally, this is a labor of love for them; they receive no compensation for their work.     

. . . Often the mds are collected from individuals, one device at a time.  Once collected in sufficient quantity, a 40’ container is filled and . . . sent on their way to a recipient nation.   Once the container arrives and clears customs, the distribution process begins.   Rotary Clubs at the receiving end have been very helpful in reducing the cost of clearing customs and the four way test allows little room for corruption and bribes.

. . .

On the recycling end, the key, according to Dave Talbot, is to make the drop-off of mds as easy as possible.   There is plenty of room for individual initiative.   David Walsh from the Casco Bay Sunrise [Me.] Club made an arrangement with Shaw’s Supermarkets for two drop off sites at the stores in the Westgate and Northgate Shopping Plaza.   . . . Rich Cantz is already thinking about ways that Goodwill Industries could help in this recycling effort.   A good idea, combined with passion, yields an abundant harvest.  And as Dave often says, “every pair counts!”

“We toil together to enable those

we may never see.

Hobbled in life by some illness, accident

or act of violence.

Many are hopeless.

The generous donations given to

Crutches 4 Africa

are the tools we use

to help raise the hindered,

to lift them from the dust,

and help them on their way.”

                                                                                                              Dave Talbot