Six hardy souls, 4 Rotarians and 2 guests, cleaned up a section of the Rendezvous Trail near Fort Collins High School. This hands on activity is a monthly event and part of the Community Service Committee of the Breakfast Rotary Club. In addition to cleaning the trail, the other on going hands on activities include Meals on Wheels, and the Food Bank for Larimer County.
Nothing says su
mmer like a delicious Palisade peach, and our Club is selling 20 lb. boxes of these amazing peaches again this year.
Every box of peaches purchased helps a child learn about the excitement of books and reading. Why? Because a portion of proceeds from peach sales will go to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Larimer County, an early literacy program that provides a free, age-appropriate book each month to a child age 0-5 who is enrolled in the program, and Book Trust, a program which provides students in Title I elementary schools the opportunity to choose and keep their own books at no cost to their families.
Funds raised will also be used to support local and international Rotary projects.
You can order your boxes of Palisade peaches today through Aug. 17 online at Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary – Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary.
Our Club's three fundraisers--peach sales, 10K Raffle and Field Of Honor--allowed the Club to have a major impact on our community. During fiscal year 2024-2025, we awarded more than $35,000 in grants to non-profits in our community.
Our Community Service Committee sorted through numerous grant applications and ultimately awarded grants to 11 area non-profits. Grants ranged from $4,000 to $1,000 and were for a variety of causes coats and boots for underserved community children, rent subsidy, music for marginalized persons, literacy, etc.
Non-profits benefitting from Club fundraising included the following:
- Project Self Sufficiency
- Coats & Boots
- Neighbor to Neighbor
- Off The Hook Arts: musical instruments
- CSU Writing Center
- Hispanic Women's Farming Proyecto (FC Community Action)
- Sound Effects
- Food Bank of Larimer County
- Mujeres de Colores
- Outreach Fort Collins
- Fort Collins Action Network, Hispanic Farming ProjectNetwork: Hispanic Farming Project
Eight additional non-profits--one that specificaly provide services to veterans and first responders--were key beneficiaries of funds generated from the Field Of Honor through sale of medallions, donations and Community Supporters. Grants ranging from $4,000 to $600 were provided to the following non-profits:
- First Responder Trauma Services
- B-Bold Empowered Adaptive Living
- High Plains Honor Flight
- Vets Honoring Vets
- Berthoud American Legion Post 67
- Larimer County Search & Rescue
- Health 4 Heroes
- Platte River Veterans Fly Fishing
“Grants awarded to non-profits address the needs of our community, ” stated Brooke Cunningham, who headed up the Club's Community Service Committee. "We are passionate about our community and having a lasting impact on it. We want to make the world a better place for all.
“These grants are why we fundraise.”
Two Club members were recently recognized as Paul Harris recipients: Andy Groeger, far left, and Saira Hafeez, second from right. Andy was recognized as a “Paul Harris plus seven” contributor while Saira was presented her first Paul Harris pin. Saira, who leads the local Rotaract Club, was extremely surprised as her donation to the Rotary International Foundation stemmed from a donation from the club on her behalf.
A club member receiving a Paul Harris pin is based on a contribution to the Rotary International Foundation of $1,000.
Pictured with Andy and Sara are Club president Joe McCarthy, second from left, and John Sheltren, RIF Club Chair, far right.
The first-, second- and third-place winners of the Club's Field Of Honor “My Hero” essay contest for third and fourth graders in the Poudre School District read their essays during a recent Club meeting.
First-place winner Riley Whitehead, Eyestone Elementary, wrote her “My Hero” essay about her uncle Nick Gaucher who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at age 11 but who chose to live life fully and not sit on the sidelines. Battling the disease, Nick went skydiving and snowboarding.
“He lost his battle with cancer but his spirit continues to live on within me,” Riley wrote. “I hope to live life to the fullest, just like my uncle once did.”
Riley was presented a certificate of achievement and a check for $100 from the Club.
The mother of Jac Samson, the second-place winner, Olander Elementary, read her daughter's essay for her. Jac is nonverbal and communicates through eye blinks and hand raises. Jac chose her teacher Mr. Morgan Lopotowski as her hero.
“Mr. Morgan takes his time when he talks to me, Jac wrote. “He gives me time to answer and gives me yes or no choices. . . I feel safe with Mr. Morgan because he understands my needs. Mr. Morgan challenges me in my classroom.”
In addition to receiving a certificate suitable for framing, Jac was given a check from the Club for $75.
Placing third among the 260-plus “My Hero” entries was Safa Hamidzai, Rice Elementary. Safa's essay honored her parents.
Safa's first paragraph of her essay stated, “My heroes are my parents because they always smile through tough times and they fought to protect us and our country in war.”
She concluded her essay with “One day I hope to be a hero to others the way that my parents are for me.”
Like the other two winners, Safa received a certificate of achievement. She was also presented with a check from the Club for $50.
The Field Of Honor--a gift to our community by our Rotary during the four-day Memorial Day weekend--again served two key purposes: 1) to provide the community a place to salute our country's heroes and to educate the next generation; and 2) to raise funds for our Club.
This year's Field Of Honor raised close to $50,000. Of that amount, just under $40,000 came from Community Supporters and just under $10,000 from medallion sales and donations.
Proceeds from the Field Of Honor will be used by our Club to award grants to non-profits in our community--40% will be given specifically to non-profits that provide services to veterans and first responders--and to help underwrite community service projects.
Although the weather wasn't ideal during the four-day event, Club enthusiasm and community involvement and appreciation was evident.
“Presenting the Field Of Honor is a huge undertaking for our Club and a significant fundraiser,” states Dave Marvin, Club Field Of Honor chair. "Field Of Honor has also become an integral and important part of our community's Memorial Day weekend culture.
“What a beautiful place to honor the service men and women who gave their lives to protect our freedom as well as honor our first responders and personal heroes. The 500 American flags that comprise the Field of Honor are an amazing, humbling and inspiring sight. And every medallion attached to a flag tells a story.”
Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary appreciates the generosity of the businesses and individuals who donated to the Field Of Honor as Community Supporters and those individuals who purchased medallions. Their benevolence will be returned to our community and have a positive impact on many lives.
Got a hero? A veteran, active military, first responder, a friend who goes beyond again and again, a former teacher? Honor him or her at the Field Of Honor, May 23-26, at Spring Canyon Community Park, Fort Collins.
The back of every medallion has the hero's name, a brief description of why he/she is being honored and the donor's name.
Net proceeds from medallion sales stay in our community: grants to non-profits that provide services to veterans and first responders, additional community non-profits and club service projects.
Purchase your medallion today at Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary – Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary.
A very humble and thankful Josh said he never thought he would be Student of the Month--but said he was honored to be named such.
The Field Of Honor will again be at Spring Canyon Community Park, Fort Collins, during Memorial Day weekend, May 23-26. This awe-inspiring display of 500 American flags flying in formation salutes our country's heroes: veterans, active military, first responders and personal heroes.
This sea of red, white and blue is free to the public and is the ideal place to reflect on our country being “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” Individuals are encouraged to walk among the 500 flags and read the medallions attached to the flags. Each medallion tells a story.
In addition to the Field Of Honor providing the community a place to honor our heroes, this Memorial Day display is a Club fundraiser. Funds are raised by the sale of medallions and through Community Supporters, with net proceeds staying within our community. Rotary turns the funds raised into grants to non-profitr that provide services to veterans and first responders as well as grants to other community non-profits and Club community service projects.
“Field Of Honor is our gift to the community that keeps on giving throughout the year thanks to our Community Supporters and those who purchase a medallion,” states Dave Marvin, Club member who chairs the Field Of Honor.
Two non-profits in our community recently received grants from our Rotary: Food Bank of larimer County and Platte River Veteran's Fly Fishing.
Once a month Club members walk the Rendezvous Trail in Fort Collins and clean it as they go. This Saturday, Rotoact members joined the Club's community service project.
Cleaning the Rendezvous Trail is one of many that our members undertake in our community.
Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary members enjoyed an evening of fellowship, food and fun on Thursday, April 3, during its $10K Jackpot Jubilee's “Raffle for Good” celebration. At the end of the evening, one lucky person was $10,000 richer when raffle ticket 1073 was drawn.
“Not only was one person super surprised and over-the-moon happy when his/her ticket was drawn, but this fundraiser added approximately $25,000 to our Foundation treasury,” states Bob Melrose who chaired the fundraiser.
“That money won't stay in the Foundation treasury long, however, as we have numerous community and international service projects to undertake. We are chomping at the bit to give this money back to our community and the world.”
Our Rotary members continue to support the parents of young children enrolled in Poudre School District's Early Childhood Education by providing them with personal hygiene products--everything from diapers, laundry detergent, paper towels and toilet paper to hand soap, shampoo and toothpaste. This past month our Club made not one, but two deliveries, of personal hygiene products.
Club member Fran Lefler who spearheads this Club project also oversaw the delivery of the Club's 65 boxes and bags of hygiene products to PSD ECE in March.
“Every hygiene product provided by our Club means parents have money to spend on nutritious food for their children,” Fran states. “No parent has to decide whether a family stays clean or has food on the table.”
Rotary Club of Fort Collins Breakfast recently completed its ninth International Service Committee Water Project in Ethiopia—and its second water project in Nekemte, Ethiopia.
Our Club’s latest Ethiopia-based project involved renovating the Laga Guracho’s water source that impacts almost 2,000 individuals. Work completed in the rural village of Lalo Kebele, Jima Arjo District, Ethiopia, included repairing a spring cap, upgrading a water collection point, building two clothes washstands and adding a four-faucet collection point. Thanks to this project, it is now more convenient for women and girls in the area to collect water for their homes.
The work was completed in less than a year for $6,300—or about $3.25 per person. And the system is anticipated to remain relatively maintenance free for decades.
Funding contributors for this International Service Project included Rotary District 5440; the Central Highlands Foundation; Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church, Soda Springs, Idaho; and Rotary Club of Fort Collins Breakfast.
The Club’s International Service Committee meets every other month to hear updates on projects being funded by the Club and to consider potential projects. Nine projects have been funded by the Club for 2024-2025:
- Toileton WASH, El Salvador
- Reforestation and water management, Brazil
- Library, Gambia
- Hospitalia Atitlan, Guatemala
- Rotary Blood Center, India
- Smokeless cooking stoves, India
- Latrines, Cambodia
- Wood-burning stoves, Ukraine
- Divine Mercy School, Ukraine
With a bit more than $10,000 remaining in this year’s budget, the committee discussed eight additional projects seeking funding: five projects in Ethiopia, one in Panama, one in Nigeria and an international project in the research phase at Colorado State University.
“Pinpointi
ng a project to fund is a major responsibility that committee members take seriously,” states Bob Waltemire, committee chair. “In addition to considering sustainability and the number of people impacted, we consider involvement of other Rotary clubs, district grants and the like. We strive to stretch our funds as far as we can while doing lasting good in the world.”
Michaela Walker, a teacher at Wellington Middle High School, was recognized as the Club's Teacher of the Month by Dan St. John. When introducing Michaela, Marc Buffington, principal of Wellington Middle High School, noted that she is a “go-to” teacher whose classroom has a “wonderful vibe.” In addition to teaching middle schoolers, Michaela stepped up and created subplans for a colleague out on leave and leads professional development classes for her peers. Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary is honored to recognize an outstanding teacher each month, as they are influencing the next generation of community leaders.
In addition to receiving a certificate of recognition, Michaela received $250 to help meet classroom needs.
- Award grants to area non-profits such as Neighbor2Neighbor, Coats & Boots, Food Bank of Larimer County and MORE
- Support our youth through scholarships, leadership awards and international exchanges!
- Address community needs, particularly underserved areas and populations
Donating $10,000 to the Rotary Foundation is a big deal, and Club member Mark Korb, far right, was recognized for his generosity and support of The Rotary Foundation at the $10,000 level at our Feb. 20 meeting. Club President Leighanne Allford and our Club’s The Rotary Foundation Chair Bob Melrose presented Mark with a medallion and thanked him for helping great things happen in Rotary locally and internationally.
Founded more than 100 years ago, The Rotary Foundation transforms gifts such as those from Mark into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world. Since its founding, The Rotary Foundation has invested more than $4 billion in life-changing, sustainable projects.
Pass the word: Young RYLA and RYLA applications are now open.
If you know youth who would benefit from a fun, life-changing leadership training program that is conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect, then they belong at this summer’s RYLA or Young RYLA leadership camp.
Young RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is open to students currently in the seventh grade while RYLE (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) is open to students who are currently sophomores and juniors. Young RYLA campers have a choice of two sessions: June 22 - 27 or July 6 – 11. RYLA has one camp session: July 27 – Aug. 1.
All camps are conducted at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colo.
Youth do not need to be connected to Rotary to apply. Because Rotary believes in investing in our youth, the cost of attending this adventures-in-leadership week is free to participants.
The Top 5 benefits obtained by youth attending a RYLA or Young RYLA camp include. . .
- Build communication and problem-solving skills
- Discover strategies for becoming a dynamic leader in his/her school and community
- Unlock his/her potential to turn motivation into action
- Learn from community leaders, inspirational speakers and peer mentors
- Have fun while forming lasting friendships
Club member Ron Catterson has been involved with RYLA for the last 10 years and says he has seen “incredible transformations from participants over the course of one short week as they learn to lead themselves and others.” Ron adds that many students walk away from their leadership experience stating that “It was the best week of my life!”
Applications are due by early April and available at https://rockymountainryla.org/
Long-time Club member John Trewartha was recognized as the Club's 2024 Ed Gillette Award recipient at our Feb. 6 Club meeting.
The Ed Gillette Award is presented to a Club member who uses his/her profession to do good in the world. Through his profession, an Ed Gillette Award recipient demonstrates Rotary's “service above self” and adheres to Rotary's four-way test of the things we think, say or do.
“In each of his multiple jobs, John has shown that he is highly worthy of this award,” stated Krishna Murthy who presented the award to John.
The inscription on the plaque presented to John reads, “In recognition of vocational excellence and integrity as was exemplified by Dr. Edward L. Gillette, esteemed member of the Rotary Club of Fort Collins Breakfast.”
Congrats, John. Well deserved.
