Every day mothers risk their lives giving birth and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes. At least 7 million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children. Rotary’s projects ensure sustainability by empowering the local community to take ownership of health care training programs.
Maternal and Child Health Care is also recognized as one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus.
Edmonton West News
Well…. we’re back. Spencer and I will be with you now for the next 3 months to close out the year.
In Rotary we are surrounded by inspiration – because it’s what we do. We find problems and we overcome. We smile as we do it, we are humble, we are happy to give of our time, talent, and treasure. We are committed to making a difference, we are people of action, we serve to change lives.
Al Sanderson, has all these qualities and more. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being our leader for the past 3 months, and for all you do for the club everyday. You are very much appreciated.
Rotary International
President Mehta urges members to become more involved in service projects. He says that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes other people’s lives, but also our own.
At Rotary we are committed to treating everyone with dignity and respect, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard and providing equitable opportunities for fellowship, service and leadership. Rotary works towards creating supportive environments that foster open communication and shared learning.
Equity is a fundamental human right that’s necessary for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world. Still, girls and women worldwide face inequities in areas including health and education, and they experience violence and poverty at higher rates than men.
Membership is the lifeblood of rotary. In order to increase Rotary’s impact, we need to increase our membership. President Mehta asks each Rotarian to bring a new member. If we all do that…..just imagine what we can achieve.
This Weeks Speaker
Thomas Lukaszuk gave a great presentation about the donation drive to fill a plane with 35 tonnes of aid to Ukraine.
Thomas Lukaszuk, former Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA and deputy premier, and former Premier Ed Stelmach decided to use their "Rolodex of friends and colleagues" to create the campaign within a week. They started cold calling municipalities, businesses, and fire departments to gather equipment like medical and surgical supplies, stretchers, crutches, and medications.
"I made a cold call to the CEO and president of Polish Airlines LOT," Lukaszuk said. "I said, 'I need an airplane' — fully expecting a laugh on the other side of the phone.
"The president said, what kind of an airplane would you like," he added. "When I described to him what it is that we have and how much of it, he said, you obviously need our biggest airplane which is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner."
The Polish airline agreed to donate the plane and enough fuel to cover one round of the trip from Warsaw to Edmonton.
"So again, Premier Stelmach and I got back on the phone and called Shell Canada," he said, adding that the company agreed to donate 50 tonnes to fully re-fuel the 787.
In the coming weeks and months there will be opportunities to help. The organization will need volunteers to help load 8 sea-cans that are being sent to Poland with critical supplies.
Over 3 million Ukrainians have fled their war-torn country ever since Russian aggression began. And Poland is the country that has welcomed the majority of these refugees. According to the official data from the Polish Border Guard, since the 24th of February over 2,1 million Ukrainians have entered Poland – mainly women and children. None of the refugees are in camps and have been taken in by families. The need now is for money to buy food.
Donations can be mailed to:
10615 155 Street, Edmonton, AB T5P 2M4
Canadian Polish Historical Society (Please make a notation “United For Ukraine”).
The war in Ukraine is having devastating consequences on civilians as families flee their homes.
According to the United Nations, more than 3.5 million people, most of them women and children, have sought refuge in neighbouring countries, across Europe and the world, while about 7 million more people have been displaced within Ukraine.
Thanks to the generosity of Rotary members and others, the fund, to date, has received more than $7.3 million in contributions. These funds are being distributed to Rotary districts that apply for Disaster Response grants and will be used to provide relief to refugees or other victims of the crisis, including items such as water, food, shelter, medicine, and clothing.
So far, 38 disaster response grants, totaling $1,075,000, have been awarded to support those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Rotary District 5370
There has been an overwhelming response from clubs and individuals in our district and the funds donated so far amount to $66 thousand dollars.
What are the Integrity Awards?
Each participating Rotary Club in the Capital Region nominates an individual who promotes high ethical standards and raise awareness of Rotary ideals. The purpose of these awards is to honour adult, non-Rotarian members of the community for their integrity as citizens. An Un-Sung Hero. Each participating club recognizes one such individual at the event.
Our Rotary Club joins others in the Edmonton region in recognizing non-Rotarians who have made exceptional contributions to their community in the spirit of the principles of Rotary. Nominations for Recipients were due March 31, 2022 and are no longer accepted. This year there are a total of twelve Recipients from twelve local Rotary clubs.
The Integrity Awards Gala is scheduled the evening of Tuesday May 17 2022 at the Chateau Lacombe Hotel. This will be a hybrid event both in person and Zoom online. Fees are $75 per person attending in person, $10 each online, $525 table of 8, $400 table of 6, $10 per vehicle parking after 6 pm payable at kiosk.
The Rotary Club of Edmonton West has nominated Dr. Ginetta Salvalaggio for an Integrity Award this year. Dr. Salvalaggio has devoted personal time and energy to assisting organizations in providing care and attention to those in our society who are marginalized due to addictions
As always, in troubled times it’s the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things that renew our faith in humanity. The many stories of humble and humbling heroism is being repeated hour by hour, day by day.
The selfless actions of ordinary Ukrainians risking their lives every day to defend their country.
The courtyard soup kitchens, and food deliveries to families living in underground parking garages.
The stories of families being separated.
The story about the 80-year-old man who showed up to join the army, carrying with him a small case with 2 t-shirts, a pair of extra pants, a toothbrush and a few sandwiches for lunch. He said he was doing it for his grandkids.
Canada is home to the second largest population of Ukrainians. With so many Canadians sharing Ukrainian heritage, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has hit close to home. There has been an outpouring of support and acts of kindness from all over Canada. We have opened our hearts, our pockets, our homes, our borders and welcomed fleeing Ukrainians with open arms. Each and everyone one of us have relatives, friends, neighbours, fellow Rotarians or workmates who have been directly affected by the war. We have heard from Mr. Lukaszuk about how Canadians have rallied to show their support and generosity. Every little bit counts. All these actions made by ordinary people show what kind of world we want to live in.
As Rotarians we refuse to accept conflict as a way of life, and we are working hard to create environments for peace. Peacebuilding remains a cornerstone of our mission as a humanitarian service organization.
District Governor Donna Barrett’s Better Together Conference is on May 27, 28 at the Fantasyland Hotel
Registrations are Now Open
Special Rate of $325 for Groups of 5 or more
Our club will provide partial funding for attendees
Edmonton West Fundraising
Preparations for the Golf Fundraiser are well under way.
Vicky reports that we have 19 hole sponsors. Driving Force is now the Cart Sponsor and CentreCorp is now the dinner sponsor at $5,000.
There are 122 golfers between sponsors and golf registrants. This means 22 spots are available for golfers.
$58,000 revenue has been paid/committed so far. .
Brian reports that we have 13 members who have committed to volunteer at the event and 6 more possible volunteers.
When Al Hamilton stepped back there was the question of "What do we do now?". "Could we organize our own successful event?". Well I have to say that because of everyone's hard work we are well on our way to hosting an epic fundraising event. Thank you to all those who have worked so hard in contacting sponsors, following up and sealing the deals. Keep up the good work and lets fill those last few spots.
Community Service
Our club members have always loved getting out into their community and beyond to do hands on projects. We had a bit of a hiatus due to COVID but we are back and ready to roll up our sleeves again. These are the projects for this year so far.
Edmonton Food Bank
This was our last volunteering event at the Edmonton Food Bank. Thanks to the members who came out. It’s always a fun and rewarding event.
Bryan Gouthro has very generously offered to host us at his property 20 mins from the Jasper Park gates. There is room for us all to pitch our tents and will also accommodate Al's trailer:)) There is a fire pit and we can use the washrooms. This is great as we can all be together and not spread out in different campsites.
There are lots of hikes to choose from depending on your comfort level....or maybe you just want to go into Jasper for some fudge! Bryan mentioned that he knows of a guide who would lead a hike if we desire.
Closer to the time we can all get together and meal plan.
This weekend will be a great opportunity for some fellowship and fun. Please sign up if you are interested.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Ann Orsini
March 14
J P Poirier
March 14
Annie Mueller
March 15
James Johnston
April 24
Spouse Birthdays
Annie
March 15
Join Date
Vicky Grabb
March 15, 2004
18 years
Mike Ryan
March 17, 1998
24 years
James Johnston
April 1, 1986
36 years
David Weir
April 11, 2016
6 years
Ken Brander
April 11, 2016
6 years
The Life Cycle of a Global Grant
When Spencer and I lived in Denver, I volunteered with the Rotary Club of Highlands Ranch at the Project CURE warehouse sorting medical equipment to be shipped to countries in need. Then we were looking for speakers for our district conference in 2018, so I asked the CEO Douglas Jackson to speak, and he said yes. Then there was a conversation in a hotel room that sparked an idea. The idea of sending medical supplies to Belize. Ideas, followed by action is what Rotarians do! Spencer took the idea, made calls, found other clubs to buy in and began the process of applying for a global grant. Al Sanderson took on the challenge of writing the grant and so began the long 4 year journey. Al explained the timeline and what is involved in writing a Global Grant.
Thank you to Rob for donating these two books for us to have a draw at the last meeting. The lucky winners were Ann Orsini and Duart Berg.
I heard from Ann, that since she is not planning to attend our Rotary meetings in person for a while due to the increased cases of covid in Edmonton, and she would like to offer to another person attending in person the chance to get this book that she won. I will be doing another draw at our next in person meeting at the University Club.
The Four-Way Test is Rotary’s unique approach and process to address conflicts, solve problems and make decisions to achieve desired outcomes. It is an ethical and effective guide for Rotary members to use for their personal and professional relationships. The Test is about fellowship, empathy, accountability, and trust. It seems to take on more relevance right now.
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