Issue   002

DECEMBER 2021

We all want COVID-19 to be over. But here we go again with another variant....Omicron! Just when we were getting comfortable with larger gatherings we are looking at another wave. The biggest issue is uncertainty, and impatience. What does that mean for our club moving forward? The decision has been made to continue with two hybrid meetings a month, continue with our group volunteering and aim to keep people connected by phone and emails. While this is not what many would prefer, it has some benefits. For those members who want to meet in person, you can do so. The beauty of the hybrid meeting is that members and guests who are travelling or can't come to a meeting, can join us as well. 
 
Now is the time to be strong. Although we are distanced from each other, we must pull together and fight for what we believe in. In the words of Winston Churchill, “Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference.” “Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.” “If you're going through hell, keep going.”

Edmonton West News

 
Membership
We continue to connect with members via telephone. This is the season to spread Christmas Cheer so I encourage you all to pick up the phone and call a member.

Fundraising Committee

 
Edmonton West has been very lucky to have the Al Hamilton Golf Classic as a fundraiser for many years. It was a big money maker and so we didn't have to have lots of small fundraising events. Unfortunately Al Hamilton, John Blimke and Wayne Ellis have retired and will not be hosting the tournament. We thank them for their dedication in  making the golf tournament a success. A lot of  hard work goes into planning a golf tournament fundraiser and we thank Lorne and Brian for all their efforts. 
 
The Board has decided to go ahead with the Golf Tournament Fundraiser and the date of July 28, 2022 has been booked at the Cougar Creek Golf Course. A committee has been established with Spencer, Doug, Lorne, and Brian. We are looking for volunteers to be on the committee. This will be a huge task and we are counting on support from the whole club to make the tournament a success.
 

Club Social

The Club held a 'Better Together' social on November 8.  This was our first attempt at a HYBRID meeting.  Thanks to the new Rotary Owl and the patience of Rotarian Rob Dunseith, members who choose not to attend in person could connect via zoom link (and the Rotary Owl)
It was lovely to sit across from members and to interact in person. We truly are social beings and love those connections. 
President Jackie took the opportunity to recognize some members and present them with their Paul Harris Fellow pins.
 
Continuing the legacy of our founder, the Paul Harris Fellow program recognizes individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
 
Joe Lizotte
Darrel Ripley
Lorne Proctor

Honourary Members

 
We also recognized two new Honourary Members
Our newest Honourary Members, Jerome Martin and Bill Buckham.
An Honourary membership is used to recognize people who have distinguished themselves by meritorious service and embody Rotary ideals. Jerome and Bill certainly are the embodiment of this statement. 
Jerome joined the Rotary club of Edmonton West in 1987, sponsored by Al MacLean. He was Club President in the 2006/07 year and has served as Director of Community and Vocational Services. Jerome's legacy is the work he has done at Capital Care Grandview, notably the Concert Series.
Bill joined our club in 1993, sponsored by Al Holmes. He has also served as Club President and Membership Director. Bill's legacy is his work with the 395 Air Cadets who have benefited from all of his expertise.
You should both be proud of the many ways you have served our community and the world through the power of Rotary. Your accomplishments have made a difference in lives of countless individuals. We thank you for your efforts and look forward to your continued support of out Club. Well done!!

395 Air Cadet Squadron Update

Here are some recent updates from 395 Squadron including a fundraiser they are working on.  
 
If any of our members would like to be involved with the 395 Squadron please invite them to reach out to me.  There is lots of room for volunteers.
 
Ken Brander
 
Update
 
We have found a place to call home for now and we have set aside $23,000.00 to rent space at the Central Lions Center on 111 St..  When the Armed Forces gives the go ahead for in person training at least we have a place to parade and train while HMCS NONSUCH is renovated.
 
We have adopted the Provincial Committee's new By-laws and Objectives.  This is a step towards becoming the SSC.
 
 
We can now submit the ACC9 form to the Provincial Committee.  Right after that goes in they send out their Assessment Fees.  This fee is paid from the generous donation we receive from the Rotary.  The fee is to support the Provincial Committee's involvement in gliding (gliders, fields, buildings, winches and associated equipment in Alberta) and the training camps, their buildings and infrastructure.  The fee this year is $63.89 per cadet on strength 31 Aug 21.  An example:  90 cadets X $63.89= $5750.10. 
 
Thank you to the Rotary Club of Edmonton West for their support to the squadron.
 
We are struggling to get parents to take on the running of the Parents' Association.
 
In conjunction with Any Thing Branded the Parents' Association have set up an on-line store for the 395 Squadron. 
 
Please visit the Any Thing Branded website and support the 395 Squadron by purchase some branded gifts.
 
Here is the web site: https://www.anythingbranded.ca/stores/395squadronapparel
 
Rick

Hands on Volunteering

 

Edmonton Food Bank

 
Volunteers are at the core of ensuring that those struggling are receiving the food support they need. Giving the gift of our time is invaluable and what Edmonton West Rotarians do best.
 

ETS Stuff a Bus for the Edmonton Food Bank

This year over 23,000 kilograms of food was collected at Save-On-Foods locations and $6,500 in cash were collected through online, text and check-out donations. Our Edmonton West volunteers helped to unload 9 of the 16 buses that were stuffed with food donations.

Here is a note from Doug Hunter at the Edmonton Food Bank:

Please share our thanks with your Rotary Club volunteers for coming out to help Edmonton's Food Bank collect food and funds at the Elks game on Friday, October 29.
 
The 2021 Purolator Tackle Hunger game raised $23, 536.15 and collected 2,001 kilograms of food in total including $10,311.40 in cash and coin at the 4 Gates and 1,862 kilograms of food. Your Gate 13 location collected 583 kilograms of food.
 
It was great to be back at this event and we so appreciate your efforts to coordinate volunteers from your network of Rotary contacts.
 
We look forward to next year's game and working with you and your volunteers to raise food and funds to help feed our neighbours in need.
 
Always, Doug
 
 

Rotary District 5370 News

 
Thanks Jackie for this amazing graphic. The Rotary Club of Edmonton West was chartered in 1955 and since then has sponsored many new clubs. Although it is crucial to always look forward and explore new directions it is so important to know where we have come from and the impact those who came before us have made. Way to go Edmonton West!

International Project Updates

 

Belize Project

 
The Project focus was medical equipment to Corozal  Hospital in Northern Belize, and 4 Rural Clinics associated with that hospital.
The Belize government had built the clinics but they were virtually empty.
Two containers of medical equipment and supplies you would find in doctor’s offices was sent to Belize. Equipment was supplied by Project CURE, a USA non profit that gathers used but serviceable medical equipment in 6 warehouses in the US and ships container loads around the world. The two containers contained $750,000 US in Equipment. All we had to pay was the shipping and incidental expenses. Here is a list of equipment:
  • Gurneys
  • Bed linens and towels
  • Desks, chairs
  • Blood pressure cuffs
  • Supplies like bandages, swabs, bedpans, tubing, catheters, sharps containers
  • Variety of syringes
  • Covid supplies
  • Three ECGs
  • Ultrasound transducers
  • Baby and birthing supplies
  • Variety of casting supplies
  • Jugs, glasses variety of other containers
  • Patient supplies
  • Oxygen masks and tubing
  • Nebulizers
  • Otoscopes, Ophthalmoscopes
  • Spirometers, Thermometers
  • Electric hospital beds
  • CPR training mannequins
  • Crutches, IV poles
  • Scales
  • Examination tables
  • Wheelchairs
We did not use any funds for training although we had budgeted for trainers from the US to travel to Belize, so we got TRF agreement to repurpose those funds and with that money we bought 3 ECGs, wands for an ultrasound machine, a generator for the hospital for when the power goes out, 3 laptop computers and a variety of other supplies.
 
We are currently awaiting one more invoice and then the project will be complete.
 
Al Sanderson
As you likely know by now, Carols Solorzano, the Ophthalmologist our club worked with in Guatemala for 23 years passed away very recently. His extended family, the world and Rotary definitely lost a treasure, a man full of  knowledge, skill, life, love, dedication and good humour.

One of Carlos's many talents was singing, and at any opportunity he would sing his favourite song "New York New York" which he sang at parties, outdoor patios, and even at a karaoke night at a pub in Canmore when he and his wife Katyna came to Alberta for our District Conference in 2018! So that is why you will hear that background track throughout the many photos of him. 

The good news is that the eye project he started many years ago is going to continue with the help of the Huehuetenango Rotary Club, our Rotary Club, his daughters (one of whom is now an Optometrist) and the daughter of a neighbour who is now an Ophthalmologist.

Enjoy these snapshots of this wonderful man.
(you will need to copy and paste the link into a browser)
 
Al Sanderson
 
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=286465010052351
 

Season's Greetings

As we know Christmas is the season of giving. But in Rotary we do that all year round. It is also a time to reflect on the past year and what we have accomplished. As an Edmonton West Rotarian you should be proud of all you have done this year to enhance and brighten peoples lives and make our community a better place to live. As we step over into 2022 let us keep the RI vision close to our hearts, "Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves." And as we plan for the coming year we must remember the RI Mission Statement, "We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders." If we keep true to these statements we can look forward to another great year!
 
Wishing you a Christmas that's merry and bright! We hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday season.
 
 

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Goodnight!

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