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Coming Up 10/21/22
Martie Cordaro
Update on Union Omaha and the Omaha Storm Chasers
 
 
 
 
Chair of the Day: Dan Lassek
Sgt. at Arms: Warren Whitted III
Cashier: Brett Wawers 
Greeter: Scott Hahn
Invocator: Lisa Peterson
 
Golf Fundraiser! 
Thank you to all those who participated and donated! A special thank you to Alex Pearson for organizing. Proceeds from the golf event were $7400 that will be used toward club projects and community support. Thank you all! 
Rotary Readers 
Informational Rotary Readers Meeting Oct 21 at Biaggi's 11:15 a.m.   This is your chance to learn more about the program and see if it might be a good fit for you this year.  Also don't hesitate to invite relatives or friends that might be interested.  It's a great chance to give back, know your time is well spent and appreciated, and most importantly HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON OUR FUTURE. Literacy is key for success
 
Calling all Rotarians with an hour to spare each week.  Rotary Readers is starting up again after a two-year hiatus with COVID.  It will be sometime in October before we can start because of matching volunteers with the students' schedule.  You spend a half hour with one or two students each week at Skinner School.
 
This is a worthwhile and rewarding project we have done for years with Skinner School on 28th & Ames near North High.  You don't have to be an instructor, simply willing to sit with a 1st or second grade student while they read to you for half an hour.  The primary purpose of this program is to give the child consistency and encouragement with a weekly meeting.  Of course if you have vacation or the school is closed for weather or inservice, you are excused.  The main thing is to keep the teacher abreast of any absences.  Please contact Susan Thomas, Bonnie Gill or Jennifer if you are interested in volunteering for the program.  
Community Service Opportunities 
Nov. 3:  Rotarians are making and serving dinner at Ronald McDonald House 
Nov. 26: Rotarians are ringing bells for Salvation Army at the Walmart on 168th and Maple from 11:00am-5:00pm (Sign ups are coming soon)
Dec. 10: Rotarians are needed to usher at the Omaha Christmas Concert organized by Laura and Glenn Greet at Millard West. Ushers are needed from 5:45-6:30 and are welcome to stay for the concert (6:30-8:30) Kathy Wawers is the contact or sign up online by clicking on the date on the calendar on our website. 
About Us 
Please keep Dwayne and Amy Brown in your thoughts and prayers. Dwayne's mother passed away last week.   Her obituary is HERE. 
FUNERAL SERVICE: Thursday, October 20, at 10:30am at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries 72nd Street Chapel. VISITATION: Wednesday 6-8pm, also at the Funeral Home.   
Condolences may be sent to Dwayne and Amy at 21497 Hillsboro Lane N, Crescent, IA 51526
Ride to End Polio 
37 years ago Rotary International started the Polio Plus program, whose goal was to eradicate Polio from the face of the earth.  We’re down to two endemic countries, but as the recent case in New York reminds us, the battle is not over until it’s completely won.
One of the biggest problems we’re facing right now is “Polio fatigue.”  Rotarians have been hearing about Polio Plus for decades and currently only 1 Rotarian in 10 is donating to Polio Plus.  This is creating a funding shortfall at the most critical moment in the battle.  This last little bit is the hardest part of the fight. 
 
Gary Bren wants to remind us all how important our engagement in this fight is.  He’s going to be riding 102.6 miles in the Ride to End Polio on November 19th.    His goal is to raise $30,000 for Polio Plus…but the fundraising doesn’t stop there.  Our Rotary District will match dollar for dollar up to the first $20,000.  The funds are then matched two for one by The Gates Foundation.   That means that if you donate to support this ride, your funds will be matched as much as three for one.  If you help Gary meet his goal of $30,000, through matches that will be $150,000 towards Polio Plus.
 
The Ride to End Polio is part of the Tour De Tucson, which is celebrating it’s 39th year on November 19th.  Rotary got involved in 2009 and since then Rotarians have raised over $18,000,000—$53,000,000 when the Gates Match is added in—for Polio Plus.
The course for 102 mile ride covers a good portion of the Tucson Metro area, with scenery varying from Downtown to the aircraft boneyard to desert and Saguaro cactus.  Gary will be live streaming his ride, so you’ll be able to virtually come along with him and see the sights.  He finished the ride in 6 hours and 30 minutes last year and his goal is to finish under six hours this year.
You can make a donation to support Gary at his Raise For Rotary page. Donations made through Raise for Rotary will be credited to your Foundation giving and added to your club’s total donations. 
37 years ago Rotary made a promise to the children of the world.  In those 37 years we have:
  • Reduced cases from 400,000 to 25
  • Eradicated polio from 123 endemic countries
  • Helped vaccinate 3.5 billion children
  • Prevented 18 million cases of paralysis and hundreds of thousands of deaths.
Please consider supporting this ride to help Rotary make good on it’s promise to finish this battle.
Family of Rotary 
Hosted by Deb and Gordon Sepich. 
Join us for a wine and cheese reception at 5:30 prior to the Ollie Webb play on Sunday October 23rd.   Tickets are limited to 25 so please sign up here: https://omahawestrotary.org/event/ollie-webb-production-reception/
 
 
 
 
Ecology Committee Project 
Members of the Ecology Committee have been cleaning up the gardens at Project Harmony. If you'd like to help, please reach out to Charles Shapiro. Thanks to those who helped last weekend!
 
 
Monthly Meeting Sponsor 
Thank you to Dan Lassek/Merrill Lynch
for sponsoring our October meetings. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visit Other Clubs 
Keep engaged and entertained while attending Rotary Club meetings from around the Metro/District online or in-person. 
 
Monday:  Millard at Noon - in person, no reservations required at the German American Society 
                 Bellevue Papillion Rotary Club meets at DJ’s Dugout in Bellevue on Mondays at noon.  No prior registration is required. 
 
 
Tuesday:  Omaha Morning at 7:00 at Happy Hollow- hybrid meetings. Click here to register. 
                  NW Rotary at noon- at Garden Cafe in Rockbrook 
 
Wednesday: Omaha Downtown at Noon resuming hybrid meetings.  
                       Council Bluffs Centennial 7am at HyVee on Madison upstairs 
 
Thursday:  Omaha Suburban at noon:  in person, German American Society  also hybrid 
                    Council Bluffs at noon- Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center
 
In Lincoln:
  • Lincoln #14 Rotary Club - Tuesdays Noon - Embassy Suites 1040 P Street
  • Lincoln Giving Spirits Evening Rotary Club - Every-other Tuesday 6:00 PM) - JCMF Children's Charities 8445 Executive Woods Dr Ste B Lincoln
  • Lincoln East Rotary Club - Wednesdays at 11:45 AM - The Garage 
  • Lincoln South Rotary Club - Fridays noon - The Venue Private Dining Rooms - 4111 Pioneer Woods Dr
 
 
 
Speakers
Oct 21, 2022 12:00 PM
Storm Chasers and Union Omaha Update
Oct 28, 2022 12:00 PM
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
Biaggi's
Oct 19, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Ollie Webb Production/Reception
Scottish Rite Theater
Oct 23, 2022
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
 
Board Meeting
Biaggi's
Nov 16, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Nebraska Brass Band Christmas Concert
Millard West High School Performing Arts Center
Dec 10, 2022
5:45 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Board Meeting
Biaggi's
Dec 14, 2022
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
Vocational sign up
Dec 30, 2022
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
 
Board Meeting
Biaggi's
Jan 11, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
 
View entire list
Sponsors
Interested in being a sponsor?
Download the website sponsorship guide
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Birthdays
Member Birthdays
Frank Phillips
October 4
 
Alex Pearson
October 9
 
Keith Powell
October 11
 
Mike Morey
October 13
 
Karl Fick
October 29