EarlyAct, Interact, Rotaract show Rotarians the Way

Grand Island’s Early Act (Elementary school service Clubs), Interact (Middle & High School service Clubs) and the UB Rotaract Club raised $932 for Rotary Foundation’s Eradicating Polio project in past 2 months.  They held Purple Pinkie sessions at their schools, where students and parents donated to have pinkies purpled, just as happens in Afghanistan / Pakistan when polio drops are administered in those few remaining areas were Polio exists. The somewhat older university Rotaractors had obtained a grant for supplies (purple disinfecting dye) and posters to help the younger ones. Kaegebein School raised $200, Huth Rd. $341, Middle School $86 and the High School $305. Now GI Rotarians have a challenge: write their own checks for the End Polio Now drive! All those funds are being multiplied by a major grant from the Bill Gates Foundation for hopefully the final push – remember Polio is only in humans, if the World goes 3 years without Polio, it’s gone!

    

    Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Undie Sunday to benefit the homeless in Niagara Falls, Buffalo and surrounding areas is ideal considering the recent below zero temperatures. Beginning on Sunday, Feb. 10 and concluding on Sunday, Feb. 24 Island residents are encouraged to donate the basic needs of new, unused underclothing and socks for homeless men, women and children.  
    Donations may be placed in the hampers at the following churches on Grand Island: Bible Fellowship Center, 1136 Baseline Rd.; Bible Presbyterian, 1650 Love Rd.; Island Presbyterian, St. Martin’s in the Fields Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church and St. Timothy’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.
    In addition, donations may also be placed in the hampers at Ace Hardware, Grand Island Library, Island Pharmacy, Island Ship Center and Momma D’s Bakery & Café, KeyBank, M&T Bank, Northwest Savings Bank, Tops Friendly Markets, and the lobby of Town Hall.
The donations will be sorted on February 25 before being delivered to the Buffalo City Mission, Community Mission of Niagara Falls, Harbor House and St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. For more information, visit www.rotaryclubgi.org or call 716.863.2577

   "We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the Grand Island residents who donate to this extremely important program. These items provide a personal dignity, comfort and warmth for the homeless in our community," said Faye Teluk, Chair of the Rotary Club of Grand Island’s Undie Sunday committee. She also thanked Island Ship Center for preparing posters appearing around the Island and Popular Graphics for the banner you will see under Town Center sign.

  

 

Showing Rotarians Work and Brave the Weather!

Grand Island Rotary tried something new this year – G I Chamber had Light Up Boulevard parade as Holiday Season started (Dec. 1). Surprising number of spectators watched us march, including 3 Interactors, with Rotarians at Work banner, lighted truck with reindeer followed in gloom. Yes, it was drizzling, but not bitter cold, got good comments on our hardiness! We have learned a lesson: next year we need a Hot Air Balloon Burner to really Light up the Boulevard, and our marchers!

Rotary Action: Fund Raising and So Much More

For 30 years, 1988 – 2018, Rotary Clubs like Grand Island have worked under Rotary International and governments, foundations to ERADICATE POLIO. Polio, long gone from North America, still produced millions of disabled folks a year, 30 years ago. Money ($700 Million from Rotary just since 2010) and Rotary volunteers helped the dramatic reduction such that now less than 20 wild Polio cases per year, and in only 3 countries. As the Eradicate Polio goal nears, here is an example of Actions Rotarians around the world take beyond ‘just’ raising $’s. Improving organization and record keeping, key to successful Polio vaccination and other health care improvement, Pakistan Rotarians are giving cell phones to local health workers so that vaccination teams can be sent rapidly to critical areas and results logged in, called back promptly. Rotary efforts include thoughtful Action, in addition to their massive money raising.

    

G I Rotary will make their annual donation to help with upkeep of the Miracle League field on Grand Island, on Sunday, Aug. 19, 1:45 PM as another game is about to start. The Miracle League field, Tee-ball size, with a special rubberized surface to eliminate injury if a player stumbles or falls, allows wheelchair bound or other challenged youth, to have the thrill of participating in ball games. Next to the ball field is a unique handicapped-accessible playground, also with rubberized, safe, surface. Rotary is proud to have helped with financing, construction, and maintenance of both facilities – come out Sunday afternoon, Aug. 19, and see, maybe participate in, the joy that is brought to challenged kids.

    

Well, I didn't have my Iphone camera handy at the 7/18 breakfast meeting of GI Rotary at Grand Island's new Holiday Inn Express. So there is no photo of Director Brian Graham explaining results of Member survey we had just completed (almost 100% response!) showing both our successes and where we can get better. As we document future events and activities here, you will see results of that survey. Then we had a tour of this new venue – here’s where my forgetting Iphone camera means I have to show you stock photos of some features. Good meeting room for us (next to buffet!), rooms taking advantage of its park-like setting, good exercise room, unfortunately no stock photo available of the unique handicapped accessible pool! Looking good for future meetings here!

    

No Recipe for Polish Sausage – Instead Fascinating Business Background

Skip Wardinski, 3^rdGeneration President of Wardinski Meats provided a great evening for G I Rotarians at the Launch Club on May 23^rdas Club President Mike Heigel knew Skip from business contacts. Thus from Skip - little hints about what makes their sausage and hot dogs so delicious, but more importantly, an overview of challenges in his industry. The influx of national ‘cut-rate’ items, the need to source high quality meats, staffing an operation with real workers, useful yet economical employee benefits (give-away price for dogs slightly undersize!). A delightful evening showing the advantage of Rotarians having contacts thru-out the business world.