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HELENA SUNRISE ROTARY IS TEMPORARILY SUSPENDING ITS REGULARLY SCHEDULED TUESDAY MORNING MEETINGS AT PERKINS RESTAURANT AS PART OF COMPLIANCE WITH HEALTH RESTRICTIONS RELATED TO THE COVID-19 VIRUS PANDEMIC CURRENTLY SWEEPING THE WORLD. THE NEXT MEETING DATE IS DEPENDENT ON THE STATUS OF THE DISEASE AND REGULATORY APPROVAL FOR GATHERING OF PEOPLE, AS WELL AS PERKINS BEING ALLOWED TO OPEN FOR ON-SITE SERVICE. UPDATES WILL BE PROVIDED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. BE SAFE AND REFER TO THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/index.html

Moore's trip to Guatemala

On Tuesday, February 15, 2020, Rick and Silvia Moore presented a travelogue of their recent trip to Guatemala visiting Rotary Projects with Maya Pedal and Sustainable Global Coalition. The Coalition is comprised of 11 of the District’s 40 clubs, principally from Northwest Montana. The trip began with a Rotary Project Fair in Antigua, a UNESCO Heritage site, with narrow streets and courtyard type architecture. From there Rick and Silvia visited Corrales along with Dave Renfoe to observe several Maya Pedal projects including a corn cobber, water filter, and blender. The next stop was Mission Santo Tomas la Union to view Carrol College Engineers Without Borders water project. This was followed by Mazatenango, a rather unsafe city of 40,000 where they had a chance to meet with a host Rotary Club. Rick and Silvia then visited 3 projects that the District’s coalition has been involved in. All involved community drinking water projects and leveraging funding. The first was El Progresso, a community of 240 individuals relocated from the Highlands after the Civil War. The project included a well, pump, and chlorination at a cost of $62,000. The club’s portion was $17,000. The next stop was the village of Pasac, with an organic coffee cooperative. The Kootenai Valley Club put up $31,000 and leveraged the remaining $60,000 towards upgrading an antiquated water system, including 4 kilometers of piping. The last stop was La Vega, a town of 1,340 residents. The Rotary Club of Kalispell is proposing a two-phase project, the first of which is $315,000. To-date, they have garnered $268,000. Thank you Rick and Silvia!

KIVA

Belle Marie (L), a past club member and George Nemie (R), a senior at Carroll gave a presentation on Kiva, an international micro-loan organization (www.KIVA.org). The Carroll Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta manages donations from the Helena community and funnels them into Kiva. 20 students are involved in vetting the potential benefactors. Kiva has been around since 2005 and allows individuals to give loans to individuals who would not otherwise qualify for loans, generally due to destitute conditions. Loans can be made in $25 increments. The Carroll Chapter has a portfolio of $1,350 and has made over 134 loans in 34 different countries. 81% of the loans have gone to women. Very interesting! And, it felt good that our monthly voluntary contributions from club members, although modest, has made such a difference in people's lives.

Head Start and TRIVIA

Great turnout last night to support Head Start at our Trivia Night. We had a record teams - 24! We raised $1,640 to support Head Start and our Rotary Club’s charitable causes! Thanks to everyone who attended!

Helena Habitat

Morgan Marks (L) and Julie Pharmer from the Helena Area Habitat for Humanity updated the club on Habitat's work at our meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Habitat is doing a great job in bringing affordable housing on line, having completed 6 new homes in 2019 and starting an additional 6. The future will hopefully bring 4 units in the Red Fox subdivision. All housing projects are "self-help" and homeowners must contribute time to earn equity and qualify for financing programs. Finding affordable building lots is a significant challenge and plans are in process to leverage USDA grant money to enhance housing in Helena and throughout the state of Montana. Julie and Morgan presented an energetic and positive update on great things happening.

Helena Xpress Singers

At our meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, Sandy Smith and Barb Leland provided the club with an insight into who the Xpress Singers are and the service they provide to the Helena community. The organization is a chapter of the Sweet Adelines, a world organization. The chapter has been in Helena since 1974 and currently has 32 members. The chorus provides 4-part a cappella harmony, similar to a barbershop quartet. A fun meeting with energetic Xpress Singers!

Christmas Family

Town Pump of Montana gave Helena Sunrise a grant this December to provide a Christmas for a family in need. Club member, Jordan Hinshaw, helped us identify a family who have increased their number to 6 with the addition of 2 foster children, that the grant would fit quite nicely. On Saturday, December 17, Jordan and her family shopped (and connected with Santa) to gather gifts to cover a Christmas tree (see above.) THANK YOU Jordan!! Jordan will also be following up with a thank-you letter to Town Pump for this generous gift.

Bell Ringers

Marie Mullarkey organized a day for Helena Sunrise to do "bell ringing" for the Salvation Army on Saturday, December 17, 2019 and Walmart in Helena. The day was a great success for the "ringers" and $461 was raised! "Ringers" included Christina Warren (above picture), Marie Mullarkey (L), Dewey Bruce (C) and Gary Williams (R). Not pictured, but "ringers" non-the-less were Greg Duncan and Jordan Hinshaw. THANK YOU Greg, Jordan, Christina, Dewey and Gary. A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Marie Mullarkey who coordinated with the SA and organized the day!

Salvation Army

Major Lawry Smith (center) and Major Philip Smith (right), Corps Officers of the Salvation Army in Helena, pictured above with club member, Alice Hinshaw, spoke on Tuesday, December 17, 2019, updating us on the SA and its mission. Pointing out that the SA is first a church, they expanded to reacquaint us with how the organization impacts hunger, poverty, housing needs, youth programming, transportation for the non-driving, and other needs of a healthy community. Helena Sunrise rang "silver bells" last Saturday at Walmart in support of SA (see separate article and pictures) and Lawry and Philip expressed much appreciation for the club's help, pointing out that volunteers inject huge value to the fundraising. Great program!

District Governor, Sandy Wong

Posted by Brad Lancaster on Dec 11, 2019

Rotary District 5390 Governor, Sandy Wong and her husband, Scott Wilm attended Helena Sunrise Rotary's December 10, 2019 meeting during her annual tour of all clubs in the District. Sandy gave an interactive and thought-provoking talk to and with members. She pointed out that polio is not yet eradicated and we need to keep our focus on generating action and money for that cause. Additionally, and with up-beat and positive discussion, she encouraged the club to ponder its favorite activities, its impact on youth, and what projects may be undertaken in 2020 to carry the Rotary message. Pictured above with Sandy and Scott are Past District Governor and Helena Sunrise member, Rick Moore and current Helena Sunrise President, Murray Strong who presented Sandy with a club banner and a box of Parrot candy as a token of our appreciation. Thanks, Sandy and Scott!