February 6, 2025 Impact Newsletter

NOTE: Apologies in advance for the length of the newsletter – there was just SO much to celebrate and share this week!

INSPIRATION: Mike Griffith reminded us of the importance of Rotary during these times. He shared that he uses 4 guiding principles in his life. The Rotary 4-way test + the golden rule to do on to others as you would want done to you + the mantra – “take the rock out of your own eye before you take the splinter out of your neighbor + “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger”. Glad you are feeling better Mike after having COVID for 2 weeks!

GUESTS:

  • Mario Simpson – repeat guest member of Bob Hau
  • James Deigler – guest of Curt Bear
  • Maria Elena Thomas
  • Jim DeShayes – guest of JJ Shaw
  • The Trewartha family: Stacey, Nick, Joshua, and Shawn (on Zoom from Chicago) 

FUTURE PROGRAMS: Please see the side panel for upcoming speakers and be sure to invite your friends. 

ROTARY CARES:  If you are aware of a fellow Rotarian who is going through a challenging time (i.e., personal or family health, family death, etc.) please let Sara Murphy know so we can let them know we are thinking of them and provide whatever support we can.  Sara.jane.murphy1@gmail.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

  • Leighanne – her dogs are doing well after eating a bottle of Vitamin D supplements – thank you to the fabulous vets who helped her and Wes and their pups
  • Lisa B – Brooke and Lisa are going to be doing a jigsaw puzzle swap for our Club
  • Mary Catherine L – thanked Mike for his inspiration. She wanted to share that the work Rotary is doing is so important as some places have quit giving polio vaccines, there is no mosquito netting available to prevent disease, etc.
  • Fran – shared that our next community service delivery of hygiene products collection for the Early Childhood Center is March 27th
  • Ron C – is just getting over COVID and thus had missed the Centennial High School offsite. He thanked those who stepped up to make it a great meeting. He is also looking for volunteers to help with the Vocational Service Committee.
  • Curt – shared that he and his wife have joined a gym. He also let us know that he had Meredith (a past FCBR guest) on his podcast
  • Ann G – felt that last Thursday and Friday’s Rotary activities and speakers were magic for her. She kept thinking about Fernie our Student of the Month from Centennial High School
  • Bob M – all tickets for the 21st fellowship have been taken. He and Tom S had a great trip to Antarctica even when it took 52 hours to get back to Colorado
  • Connie S -  shared that the Jackson Rotary Club did an amazing job of hosting the District 5440 Exchange students the prior weekend. Fun and learnings were had by all!
  • Krishna – shared that while Bob W is in Ethiopia, our $12k global grants turned into a $100k grant – the magic of Rotary
  • Brooke – thanked members of the club for contributing to her Super Bowl Squares – she will be donating $1,000 to Neighbor 2 Neighbor

ED GILLETTE AWARD:

Tom Welsh shared information about Ed Gillette, a past member of our Rotary Club who left an indelible mark on the people who knew him. Ed was a veterinarian whom many considered the Father of Veterinarian Radiation Oncology who developed animal models for human diseases. Tom was a student of Ed’s, then a colleague and a friend! He knew Ed for 45 years. Our Club, in 2006 changed the Vocational Service award to the Ed Gillette Vocational Service Award. The award recognizes members and their vocations as a way to give back to the community.

Ryan McLean shared his memories of Ed Gillette. He was a friend to Ryan’s Mom. Ryan remembers as a child how kind, generous, and what a good man Ed was. He also remembers growing up that the only time they ordered pizza was when Ed came over. Ed also took him on his motorcycle and they would ride around Horsetooth Reservoir – a fond memory for Ryan.

Krishna Murthy received the 1st Ed Gillette award and also nominated this year’s winner. The individual has had multiple jobs allowing him to give back to the community. He was a realtor for 10 years, Manager at Hardee’s, Fed Ex Delivery Driver and now safely delivers kids to school. John Trewartha chaired our International Service Committee for 2 terms, when the committee was much smaller and the committee would gather around his kitchen table. 

John wanted to Thank the club for the award. He has been a rotarian for a long time and his kids were young when joined our Club. Ed would actually tease John as a new member of our club. Now he is only able to come when school is out and he saw so many new faces in our Club. John had a special thank you to his wife Stacey for always supporting him and his Rotary endeavors.

NEW MEMBER INDUCTION – Joseph inducted Amber Runyon. Welcome to our club Amber!

PAUL HARRIS AWARD RECIPIENTS: Bob M handed out 1st time Paul Harris awards to members of our Club who have reached $1,000 contributions to Rotary International. Congratulations to: Jephta, Molly, Joseph, Tony, and Kevin (via Zoom). 

PURPLE PINS FOR POLIO UPDATE:

Joe McCarthy wanted to express his appreciation to all those who contributed to the success of this year’s Purple Pins for Polio, helping the Quad Club raise close to $30,000 total (with the 2x matching grant from the Gates Foundation). The following folks provided Lane Sponsorships:

  • Domino’s Pizza (Jay Feavel)
  • Horse & Dragon (Tim Cochran)
  • Mutual of Omaha (David Haase)
  • Jackson Eye Care (Mark Jackson)
  • DaVinci Signs (via John Shaw)
  • Ed Carroll Motor Company (John Carroll)
  • ALC CPA, P.C. (Andy Chaffin)
  • Keith White

Jay Feavel and Domino’s were also very generous food sponsors!!!

With the help of Sara Murphy and her special Purple Pins for Polio handmade bracelets,  we were able to sell, and raise an additional $410 (that will also be doubled!).

Bowlers at the event included teams led by Lisa Boesch, Leighanne Alford, David Haase, Jack Bales, and Keith White, as well as Teres Lambert and her granddaughter.

$10,000 JACKPOT JUBILEE KICKOFF – Bob M and Leighanne (co-chairs) shared the new graphics and information for our old $10,000K. We are waiting for the state to approve our raffle license and then we will be able to sell tickets. Details below:

  • Thursday, April 3rd from 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
  • There will be a party at Horse & Dragon Brewing Company and the first 80 people to RSVP will be admitted
  • Drawing will be at 8:00 pm
  • Tickets cost $100 each (we are only selling 500 tickets) and the ticket is not tax deductible

GOOD NEWS:

  • President Leighanne – the Quad Club has been meeting and re-engaging to re-start Rotaract. The kickoff at CSU will be on Wednesday, 2/12 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Leighanne has sent a separate e-mail with details. There will also be a Quad Club potluck on March 2nd with a $10 fee to be given to Rotaract. More details coming soon.
  • Marguerite shared with the club how great the Jackson Hole Ski Trip was. She found it hard to find words. She met other exchange students, and they all shared their experiences. She made 10 new friends who have agreed to visit a different country each year and to stay in touch. She shared it was very emotional to see so many people doing nice things for them!
  • Joseph V – gave a shoutout to Teres for all the advertisements and posts she has been doing for our Club. Joseph received a call from a potential new member for the first time in years – it is working!