District 5790 and the Arlington Rotary Club have been consistent supporters of humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. Soon after the initial invasion, our club led efforts to sell yard signs in support and to raise money for The Rotary Foundation to be used for humanitarian activities in Ukraine.
Towns and villages across eastern Ukraine have been shelled over and over and the infrastructure destroyed. Each has little or no access to medical aid and/or health care.
During the last Rotary year, our Board of Directors decided to designate our club’s allocation of District Designated Funds, $7499, to the district’s first Ukraine Global Grant providing three Emergency Medical Clinics(MECs) to provide medical services where medical facilities had been destroyed. This grant was sponsored by the Lewisville RC with John Kazor as the primary contact in our district. This Global Grant totaled $99,000 and, because our DDF was matched 80% by The Rotary Foundation, our club accounted for $13,498 or more than 13.5% of the total grant funding. This grant funded three Mobile Clinics. They have been purchased and delivered and are now in use.
This Rotary year, another Global Grant is being sponsored by Flower Mound with PDG Gerald Robinson as the primary contact. This grant will purchase two more Mobile Clinics and totals $90,000. The cost of the clinics has risen due to inflation and additional features added to each unit. This year our BOD voted to allocate one half of this year’s allocation of DDF($2,017) to support this grant. In addition, the board voted unanimously to donate $5,000 from our Foundation’s Unrestricted Fund as club funds in support of the grant. With our DDF, the 80% match from TRF, and our club funds our total contribution to this second Ukraine is $8630 or 9.6% of the total grant funding. Because Ukraine humanitarian grants receive special consideration by The Rotary Foundation, we expect this grant to be approved by the end of the year and the Mobile Clinics to be available early next year.
So far, 21 Global Grants have funded a total of 49 MECs being delivered at a total cost of $1.9 million.
Through the determination of Rotarians in Ukraine and Rotarians around the world, the situation continues to change and bring hope as Medical Emergency Clinics are deployed to support local communities and provide the residents access to much needed medical care. Each unit is treating 30-100 people per day.
Our district and our club has been very instrumental in making this effort a success. This is truly a great example of Rotary Changing Lives!
It Happened Last Meeting
by Lee Anne Lawson
President Barry Bondurant called the meeting to order. Our greeter was Walter Virden III, and later in the program, he led us in the song; “Let There Be Peace On Earth”. The prayer and pledge were led by Diego Pena, after which we sang “God Bless America”
We were reminded to check in /volunteer hours. Members, please remember that signing up for prayer/pledge and greeter is a constant need! There will be a board meeting on Friday at 11:30 at Legacy Financial. A donation was made in the name of our club to Disaster Aid USA thanks to Tom Cravens. Recognized at the District Rotary Foundation Gala were: Arch Klumpf Society, Jim and Sheri Quick and major donor level 1, Al and Shalyn Clark.
During announcements, we were informed of volunteers needed 9 am-11 this Sat. for the wonderful college kids involved in Rotaract. See for info: Mavs@rotaract or on Facebook, UT Arlington Rotaract Club. There is a golf tournament at 9 am this Sat. at Walnut Creek C C, with funds to be donated to Arlington Charities. Our club holiday party is on Dec. 1st, 6-9 pm at Steve Zimmer’s house, 407 E. Beady Road, Arlington 76006. The cost is $40 per person, and it seems to be half sold out at this point. There is valet parking. Go online to register/pay…deadline is Nov. 24.
Birthdays this week: Kris Landrith and Sherri Quick, Nov. 17; Scott Hendricks Nov. 19; Shirly Cox and Michael Wade, Nov. 21; Esteban Blanco Nov. 23 and Samantha Reich Nov. 24.
Anniversaries this week: Cindy Salter 1 year, Joe Carpenter 2 years, Chade Bates 8 Years, Angie Meister 10 years, Marc Prda 17 years and Don Duke 27 years.
Our program with speaker Lisa Thompson, was introduced by Vera McKissic. Lisa is the MLK committee chair. The four-day celebration will be Jan. 12-15 in 2024. The gala will be held at UTA. Thousands of dollars in scholarships are given. A favorite event of Lisa’s is when around 500 children sing in a choir concert together. Sounds heavenly! Participating in the MLK celebration are the City of Arlington, AISD, Arlington Ministerial Association, UTA, Tarrant County College S E Campus, and more. Atmos Energy is a titled sponsor. For much more information, go to Arlingtonmlk.com. It would be especially interesting to watch the video “Echos on the Hill” at this site.
Kris Landrith gave us the last laugh, and Barry Bondurant reminded us there is NO meeting next week on Thanksgiving Day! Our next speaker, at the Nov. 30 meeting is Aaron Perales, AISD Director of Engagement, Equity and Access.
Quote of the week: “Let us remember: one child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.”
We then recited the four-way test and were adjourned.
Lisa Thompson speaks about plans for the Arlington Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on January 12-15, 2024. Details are available at www.arlingtonMLK.com
Miss Last Meeting?
Click hereto view the Zoom recording using this passcode: ^@+v1nsH
Diego gives us some background on the sacrifices of those who founded our nation before leading us in the pledge.
Walter thinks we did okay singing, "Let There Be Peace on Earth".
Bonnie checks in with the Angel Tree elves. Return gifts to Rotary by November 30.
A few of the Rotarians at Sky Ball 2023.
Steve, Richard, Kurt, and Barry play in the Becca Reeder Tournament to benefit Arlington Charities and the Taste Project.
Upcoming Community
Service Opportunities
Salvation Army Angel Tree
Tags are available now and each meeting in November.
Gift Bags should be returned to Rotary meetings through Nov. 30.
Questions: Tanis, Susie, & Victoria
Arlington Life Shelter: Bring to Rotary meeting on Thursday, Dec. 7 - Collect supplies and deliver them to the shelter. Bottled water is always a big need. As are paper goods and cleaners, such as toilet paper, paper towels, disinfectant, etc.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Friday, December 8th at 10:00 am - 7:00 pm CT - Bell-ringing in hour-shifts at Hobby Lobby
It Happened Last Meeting
