While sitting with a group of Rotary leaders outside of Lusaka, Zambia, I ask a question: “How many of you have ever had malaria?” Every hand in the room goes up. They even begin to tell me about the first, second, or third time they experienced the disease, one of the main causes of death and sickness in many developing countries.
They are fortunate. They have access to medical treatment and lifesaving medicines. For the people of rural Zambia, their story is very different.
Rotarians across District 5580 contribute their skills, expertise, and resources to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems. From providing clean water to addressing local community needs to promoting peace worldwide, Rotary grants bring service project ideas to life.
Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Rotary Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects through Rotary grants.
District 5580 has numerous grant projects driving positive change. A few recent projects include:
Nippgon Golden Accessibility Handi-Van
Kampala Uganda Malaria Control Project
Fergus Falls Sunrise Picnic Tables and Benches
REHT Music Festival Speakers to End Human Trafficking
Rotary 101 Factoid: What are Rotary’s 7 Areas of Focus?
The causes we target to maximize our impact are called our areas of focus. Our most successful and sustainable projects and activities fall within these areas.
Our Happy Holidays can be even happier by giving back to our Mother Earth. How? One may wonder? Well, by consciously choosing to celebrate Holidays in an eco-friendly way. Now isn't that a tree-mendous idea! Some of the ways one can do so include: 1) using sustainable holiday gift wrap, 2) preparing an eco-friendly feast, 3) getting a real Christmas tree, 4) switching to LED holiday lights, 5) giving sustainable Christmas gifts, 6) Making Sustainable Christmas decorations, 7) send a card that plants trees, 8) gift an experience they can look forward to, 9) handcraft some awesome DIY gifts, 10) donate to charity (plant a tree honoring a loved one), 11) do a gift swap, 12) recycle your Christmas tree Check out how one can positively impact through their holiday celebrations by considering about planting a tree through onetreeplanted.org.
Submitted by: Karl Everett, Water & Sanitation Chair
I want to thank all the Rotarians who helped support the Bolivia Laguna Sulti Water Well project. The wells support many Bolivians who were in need of fresh, potable drinking water. Thank you all for your support.
Rotary Goes to Bolivia - April 2023
I'd like to invite you on an adventure to Bolivia scheduled April 13th - 23rd+/-, 2023 to visit the many Rotary projects you have helped support. Please contact me for a Harbortown Rotary / Mano a Mano brochure describing the adventure. if you have any questions or need additional information. Karl Everett, Duluth Harbortown Rotary
Mano a Mano’s Center for Ecological Agriculture: Water, Food, Health and Education: A Journey to Learn
WE CAN ONLY SHARE YOUR CLUB'S NEWS, IF WE KNOW ABOUT YOUR CLUB'S NEWS!
The number one thing most clubs want to know is what is happening around the District, but we can't help spread the word if we don't know what your club is up to.
Please submit a summary of your club events, news and projects to Renae Ronquist and Gloria Mink by the 10th of each month. We can include information in our Monday Minutes and in our newsletter.
On Wednesday, Karl Everett (Karlos) received a check from the Dickinson Rotary Club for $1000 to support the Bolivia Dream Fund student scholarships, that Matt Thibodeau initiated and spoke about on Foundation Day. Also, the Dickenson club provided the final donation needed to receive the matching grant from the District for the Viente de Septiembre medical clinic in Bolivia. Once we receive the grant money, we can move forward with Mano a Mano Bolivia to initiate the construction of the project. They plan to start the construction in December and complete the project in four months. They are planning to have the clinic in operation by April 2023. You are all invited to attend the dedication of the clinic, which will be a spectacular event, and visit with the Dream Fund students. We are planning The Great Bolivia Adventure on April 13th to the +/-23rd 2023. Please join us. Contact Karl Everett for more information and to reserve a place on the trip.
The Dickinson Rotary Club members recently posed at weekly meeting with a BIG CHECK for PolioPlus. The $6,500 donation was earned at the annual Pancake Karnival in October.
Earl started and was the first President of Skyline Rotary in 1973 and was a District 5580 Governor (1988-1989). He attended multiple Twin Ports Rotary Club meetings each week. Rotary was his life especially in his later years as his health declined.
Richard C. “Rick” Bricker, Rotary District 5580 Past District Governor
(Written by Gregory D. Carlson)
Richard C. “Rick” Bricker, Past District Governor for Rotary District 5580 and member of the Brainerd Noon Rotary Club, passed away November 16, 2022, at age 68.
Rick’s life exemplified Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self” in every aspect of his life. In addition to his service in the U.S. Army, he also served extensively within his church, community, and in Rotary.
With the Brainerd Noon Rotary Club, Rick volunteered in many community and international service projects including the Brainerd Rotary Park, and work in Haiti. Rick served as Rotary District 5580 Governor in 2019-2020, a year that will always be remembered for the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spring 2020. Rick was instrumental in beginning a Rotary District 5580 initiative to fight human trafficking and child abuse, along with Rotary Districts 5950 and 5960. Rick was the first of three consecutive District 5580 Governors to passionately embrace this important cause. This partnership would also form the basis for future collaborative work among the adjoining Rotary Districts.
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