Greetings fellow Rotarians, hope this note finds each of you well.
Have you made your plans to attend this year’s District Conference? We will gather October 24-26, 2024, in Leavenworth (at the Riverfront Community Center). This annual event promises to be full of ideas and inspiration. Our theme will be “Rotary Rocks the River,” as we gather on the banks of the Missouri River for great fellowship and a little fun! I so hope you have this event on your calendar to meet with your fellow Rotarians to share your thoughts and strategically plan for the rest of your year regarding community support across Northeast Kansas and the rest of the world.
In addition to fantastic keynote speakers, we will have several informative breakout sessions on service, key areas of Rotary leadership, and roundtable discussions that will allow you to brainstorm with your Rotary friends and peers. And, of course, there will be plenty of fun and we will end our time together with a couple of service projects as well. This is always a highlight of the Rotary year, and you will not want to miss it! Registration for the conference will open soon.
If you were able to join us at the recent TEAM Training event in Lawrence, you will know what a terrific and valuable time it was thanks to our great district trainers, DeEtte Lombard and Ellen Bogdan. It was so inspiring to hear from Rotarians across the district regarding the three important topics of membership, public image, and the Rotary Foundation. These important foundational pillars of Rotary International go hand in hand in making our district and clubs successful. In addition to the great motivation that our speakers offered, it was also wonderful to collaborate with other Rotarians regardless of their club location, club size and membership tenure. Many thanks to DeEtte and Ellen for working hard to put our program together to ensure there was something for everyone in attendance. It was a wonderful day to celebrate Rotary and all it stands for.
Beyond these major events, we have continued working on the zone-level challenge which includes a variety of topics/goals spanning polio, public image, membership, and foundation. This is like a club citation and will continue to be part of a reporting process that Rotary International has recommended in the last few years. I like to think that we are up for the task and fortunately have several seasoned Rotarians in district leadership that will help with this (many thanks to each of you). In addition to this zone-level challenge, our Action Plan Champion, Larry Martin, is working closely with the zone-level Action Plan Champion to ensure we are on point with this newly established way of doing Rotary Business; a special thanks to Larry for stepping up for this task.
Lastly, I am excited to say that our Pocket Change for Polio Campaign is rolling right along. I will provide more detailed information regarding the Pocket Change for Polio Campaign when I visit clubs in the weeks ahead (I am happy to share that I have all but five club visits scheduled)! It is so important to continue Rotary’s efforts to fully eradicate this horrible disease; “we are this close.” One last polio effort that Rotary International offers is the Polio Plus Society which was started a few years ago. If you have not signed up to join the Polio Plus Society, I would encourage you to consider it today; need information? Click here.
Mandy puts a lot of effort into our district newsletter; it is certainly worth the read…many thanks for taking time to read the newsletter (and to Mandy for working hard to get it all together every month).
Hope you all have a great month ahead and take good care. Looking forward to seeing you all at our district conference in October for some meaningful Rotary family fellowship!
Sad News: Four new Wild Polio cases reported this week with the total for this year reaching 40 cases. We are now 2 weeks since the Onset of Paralysis of the most recent reported Wild Polio Case in Pakistan.
Rotarians around the world are gearing up to promote awareness of World Polio Day by holding major Polio Plus fundraising events in the coming weeks leading up to October 24th. While it is only 3 weeks to be part of Rotary’s annual major effort to End Polio, if your club has not yet committed to setting and planning to achieve its Polio Goal, now is the perfect time. There are great tools available from Rotary.org at this website: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day-resources
Feel free to email, call or text me if you have any questions or want fundraising ideas.
And “We are…This Close” as shown in our “Countdown to History”
Whether you donate to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) monthly, quarterly or annually, we highly recommend using Rotary Direct. It is simple to initiate, and you don’t have to think about it again, unless you need to update your card information.
You may use Rotary Direct for Annual Fund-SHARE, PolioPlus, World Fund or Disaster Relief, in addition to the seven areas of focus. Something to note – contributing to the areas of focus does not generate District Designated Funds (DDF).
Please consider setting up Rotary Direct at $84/month and you will achieve a Paul Harris Fellow award annually. Here is the Rotary Direct link for your convenience: https://my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct. Please contact the Paul Harris Society District Coordinator Jennifer Berquist atjkberquist@gmail.com if you need assistance. Thank you for your support of TRF!
We look forward to seeing you at the conference (24-26 October) in Leavenworth. The Conference Committee has designed an engaging and purposeful schedule! There will be motivating speakers, informative breakout sessions, and social time to catch up with your 5710 Rotary friends.
PETS/PALS
Yes; we are already working on the PETS/PALS 2025 curriculum design! We have been collaborating with District 5680 linking the PETS/PALS learning sessions to Rotary’s Action Plan priorities.
RLI
As we are now serving on the Rocky Mountain Division Rotary Leadership Institute Committee (RLI), we are collaborating with the RLI Lone Star Division to energize interest in future RLI virtual opportunities. We will share the dates when we receive the schedule.
Please let us know if your club is interested in hosting (providing a conference room/site) for an RLI (Rotary Learning Institute). We intend to keep a hybrid design: Friday a Zoom mtg from 5:30-8:30 PM, and the in-person session on Saturday from approximately 8:30 AM-5:00 PM.
Note the attached Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) scholarships opportunities below. Apply now so you can secure enrollment!
District 5710 has been awarded 25 grants to participate in the programs of the Kansas Leadership Center. The Kansas Leadership Center (KLC) is a non-profit organization committed to fostering leadership for stronger, healthier and more prosperous Kansas communities.
The KLC offers three programs that build on each other:
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
•Lead For Changeis reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual.
Who Should Attend?
Each club should consider sending up and coming leaders from their club and community. The virtual sessions are an ideal option.. Leaders who have done the first program should consider the second program.
How To Register To Sign Up for When Everyone Leads or Your Leadership Edge, we ask that you do two things:
1.Visit the KLC website at: www.kansasleadershipcenter.org. Create a personal account and register using the code Rotary2024 to waive the tuition fee.
2.Notify District Learning Facilitators, of your interest in order that we might track Rotarians who are taking advantage of this grant.
•When Everyone Leadsis the introductory one-day program that focuses on personal leadership competencies. It focuses on leadership as an activity – recognizing that every individual has the capacity to lead. It helps participants stretch and grow their leadership while addressing their toughest challenges. When Everyone Leads is valued at $149.
Virtual Program Dates March 5 ǁ August 20 ǁ October 2-3 (Evenings) ǁ December 10
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
April 16 ǁ June 18 ǁ July 23 ǁ September 12 ǁ November 12
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
May 23
•Your Leadership Edge is the seminal, two-day deep dive into individual leadership for those who have completed When Everyone Leads. It focuses on helping leaders understand how to move out of their comfort zone and engage in meaningful leadership. It centers on the KLC’s leadership framework based on Five Guiding Principles and Four Profound Competencies. Your Leadership Edge is valued at $399.
Virtual Program Dates February 27-28 ǁ May 21-22 ǁ September 24-25 ǁ November 19-20
In Person Program Dates - Wichita
March 19-20 ǁ April 23-24 ǁ June 25-26 ǁ October 22-23
In Person Program Date – Kansas City
July 17-18
•Lead For Change is reserved for teams who have already completed the other two KLC courses. It is an immersive, three-day training that must be experienced in a team. Lead For Change is valued at $799 per individual. Those interested in Lead For Change must make arrangements through the District Learning Facilitators.
In Person Program Dates - Wichita March 26-28 ǁ August 6-8 ǁ October 15-17
Registration for all programs closes two weeks before the program.
Reminder: Time to Start Recruiting Outbound Students
It’s time to start recruiting Outbound Students for the upcoming exchange program! The application process will take place in the Fall of the year prior to the expected exchange. For students wishing to begin their exchange in August 2025, applications will be accepted in Fall 2024.
We want to emphasize that sponsoring an outbound student comes at no cost to the club, and financial aid is available for qualifying students. This program is open to both Rotary members and non-members, making it an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about the impactful work Rotary does. Let’s use this as a valuable recruiting tool to spread the word!
To assist with this important task, we have prepared the following timeline:
September - October 2024: - students should apply for consideration at their local Rotary Club. The club will organize an interview with a team of Rotarians.
November 2024: - If selected for sponsorship, students will complete a long-form application online that must be completed by December 1st. This application includes transcripts, letters of reference, immunization reports, and medical and dental exams. The online platform allows you to save your progress as you fill out the application, making it easier to complete at your convenience.
December 14, 2024: - students and their parents will attend district-level interviews in Lenexa, KS. They will be interviewed by multiple groups of Rotarians and one group of ROTEX (former exchange students). Following the interviews, students will select their top three preferred countries. Typically, about 80% of students will have their country confirmed within a week.
February 2025: - A mandatory outbound orientation will be held for all approved exchange students and their parents. This session will cover essential information about the program and preparation steps.
June 2025: - A second orientation session will be conducted specifically for students. Topics will include handling homesickness, budgeting, and communication while abroad.
August-September 2025: - Students will depart for their host countries.
June-July 2026: - Students will return from their exchange experiences.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Anne Faucett (District Outbound Coordinator) at annefaucett33@gmail.com or Stephen Wheatley (District 5710 Youth Exchange Officer) at rotary5710ye@gmail.com. Additional information is available at SCRYE.org.
Nine students from several countries are now with their host families in Eudora, Gardner, Overland Park, Atchison, and other placements around District 5710. Whether you are familiar or not with Rotary International's policies regarding youth protection, please take a few minutes to review expectations designed to keep these young people safe. If you have any questions, please contact District 5710 Youth Protection Officer Harold Frye at hfrye@bakeru.edu. The RI policies can be found athttps://my.rotary.org/en/knowledge-and-resources/resources-and-reference/youth-protection
District 5710 Global Grant Scholarship Process for 2025!
District 5710 funds a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship every two years. We started the process this fall to identify and interview scholarship candidates, one of whom will be selected to study abroad, starting after July 1, 2025.
To learn more about our District 5710 scholarship selection process, please go to our District home page Home Page | Rotary District 5710 (rotary5710.org), then click on the Foundation tab, and under that, click on the Global Grant Scholarships tab. You will see lots of information about what Global Grant Scholarships are, how to apply, the process for our clubs and district, the process for students, etc.
Let’s get going to identify and select some excellent candidates to interview for our 2025-2027 Global Grant Scholarship. If you do identify a potential candidate, please make sure none of their parents or grandparents have been Rotarians in the past three years. Also, tell them not to fill out the scholarship application online but to fill it out on their own computer in Word.
Our current District 5710 Global Grant Scholar, Mattie Vandel, is working on a unique Global Studies master’s program through Humboldt University in Berlin. Mattie was in KC this summer, doing an internship at Global Ties KC plus attended or spoke to some local Rotary Clubs. She heads back to Berlin to finish her degree next week.
Thanks to our Scholarship committee, to District 5710 leadership for funding and restarting the Global Grant Scholarship, and for those clubs who help find good candidates to apply. It is exciting to have an excellent scholar studying abroad and representing District 5710.
In May, the District provided a letter of recommendation for a Rotary Peace Fellow applicant and mentored another on their application and the video interview. Since the deadline, Rotary staff have been screening applications. From July – Sept, applicants are scored by Rotary evaluators and university partners. The following summarizes the process and time line, and is excerpted from the February 2024 Rotarian.
JAN – DEC - Ongoing recruitment of applicants.
FEB - May 15 - Candidates work with their local Rotary clubs on preparing their applications with a May 15 deadline submission. The District Rotary Peace Fellowship committee submits a letter of recommendation as part of the application process.
MAY - JUNE - Rotary staff members evaluate applications for eligibility and completeness.
JULY - SEPT - Rotary evaluators and university partners complete scoring of applicants. University staff interview top candidates.
SEPT - OCT - Rotary Peace Centers Committee members and university partners select the finalists who are then approved by the Rotary Foundation Trustees. About 130 Rotary Peace Fellows are selected - 50 Master’s degrees and 80 certificate students.
NOV - Candidates are notified of their selection.
A goal of the District 5710 Foundation committee is to submit a candidate for a Rotary Peace Fellow. Please consider individuals in your communities who would be ambassadors for peace and great Rotary Peace Fellows. You can give them my email address (ragoumat@gmail.com) to discuss eligibility and the process.
Human trafficking is a multi-billion-dollar criminal industry that exists in every state, including Kansas. The individuals most vulnerable to trafficking are those who do not have access to basic human needs. As cold weather approaches the number of those in need increases. The sponsoring clubs provided $5000 and the district matched that amount!
Multiple clubs from communities across District 5710 are participating in this grant and the Rotary Cares Winter kits will be distributed in all of their communities.
The sponsoring clubs are Manhattan, Shawnee Mission, Community Action Against Human Trafficking, Leawood, Lenexa, Topeka South, and the District Anti-Human Trafficking Committee. Each club will solicit donations of supplies such as new stocking caps and gloves, and hand warmers. A committee of Rotarians from the clubs will purchase the necessary remaining supplies, including caps, gloves, neck warmer, socks, hoodies, sweat pants, hand warmers, mylar blankets, protein snacks, and lip balm. We will then schedule 2 or more days to assemble the kits with Rotarian volunteers from the sponsoring clubs participating. Rotarians from each community will then deliver the Rotary Cares kits to victim service agencies in their community. Our goal is to prepare and distribute 155 (or more) Rotary Cares Winter Kits.
It was great to see some of you last month when Dr David Garcia from Patanatic, Sololá, Guatemala was able to visit D5710 and the Russell Rotary club. Dr. Garcia made five presentations in four days to some of the clubs involved in a Global Grant and trip that is benefiting his community right now. GG2352598 consists of training 18 young individuals to become community health promoters, offer diagnostic studies for cervical and breast cancer to 100 women of childbearing age, and provide primary medical care for 420 mothers and 35 diabetic and hypertensive patients in Patanatic. We had five clubs in our district, the Russell club in our neighboring Kansas district D5680, one club in Panajachel, Guatemala, and three districts combining their efforts to make this Global Grant happen. Those who saw this presentation got to hear about the tremendous progress being made in this community from the doctor who has been working in this community his entire life. I have a presentation that speaks about this project as well. If your club has not heard from me or Dr. Garcia about what is happening in this community, please reach out to me. I would be happy to visit your club and talk about the wonderful things happening in this community with the help of Rotary Foundation funds.
I am pleased that the District Grants subcommittee approved 38 district grants, involving 25 clubs in D5710. It’s always a pleasure to see all the wonderful and creative ideas that you have to help your communities. I look forward to seeing all the great local projects that are coming up this year!
There are still some clubs that need to please submit their Foundation goals for 2024-2025. I encourage you to set your personal and club Foundation goal for this year as soon as possible. Jennifer Berquist mentioned in last month’s newsletter one way you can reach that goal rather easily. That is to sign up for Rotary Direct at www.Rotary.org. With Rotary Direct, you can have any amount of funds deducted from the account of your choosing each month automatically. If you would like help setting this up, please feel free to contact me or Jennifer.
I am continually amazed at all the great work you do for your communities and our world with the help of Our Rotary Foundation! Building impact and enhancing lives through Our Rotary Foundation is what D5710 is doing daily.
September was a busy month for the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club! In addition to a great month of programs, KCK Rotary members spent volunteer time in the community. Members assisted with Rosedale Development Association’s park clean-up at Fisher Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and restocked shelves in the food pantry at Cross-Lines Community Outreach, also in Kansas City, Kansas.
At weekly meetings held at the Club’s new meeting location at FosterAdopt Connect in Downtown KCK, Club members welcomed several interesting speakers, including US Senator Roger Marshall, who shared information on issues being addressed in DC that are of great interest to the KCK community. Additional dignitaries visiting KCK Rotary in September were District 5710 Governor Tamara Sevcik and District Endowment and Major Gifts Chair Roger Aeschliman, as well as local physician and author Dr. Chris Jenson.
In recognition of September 11th, in addition to DG Sevcik, local firefighter G Matz spoke to the Club and provided his story of working at ground zero in the days after 9/11 as part of a team of firefighters from KCKFD. Acknowledging the abrupt change in tone following G’s remarks, DG Sevcik presented great updates on the District and her goals for this year, gifting sunflower seeds to all members. The next week, after a short presentation by Mattie Vandel, District 5710 Global Scholar, Mr. Aeschilman led members in a lively quiz game about the District’s fundraising efforts. That quiz game certainly released the competitive spirit of KCK Rotarians! For the final week of September, Dr. Chris Jenson, author and former emergency medicine physician, spoke to Club members about workplace stress and burnout.
Looking ahead, Club members are deeply involved in planning for hosting Mayor Tyrone Garner’s State of the Unified Government address, set for Tuesday, December 10, 2024. More information concerning tickets for the event will be released soon.
Good food, a little exercise and the best fellowship at our 2nd Annual Oktoberfest Volksmarch! Many thanks to Fund Raising Chair, Maria Minchew (& her husband Mo) and her committee, for organizing this great fund raiser in support of our Rotary Club of Leavenworth's Foundation (for our youth programs). A special shout out goes out to the Willcott Brewing Company and Stanley's on Broadway for their support in making this event a great success!
Our recent semi-annual OTC Medicine Drive in support of our Saint Vincent Clinic was a resounding success thanks to our volunteers and community members who donated over $2500 worth of OTC Meds and $700 in cash; working with the Lansing Lions Club since 2014, collectively we have managed to collect $66,554 in OTC Meds and $11,700 in cash donations to make a difference in our community's free medical clinic.
Upcoming for our Club:
Rotary Park Clean Up - 12 October
Non-Perishable Food Drive (with community support) - 12 October
September is Rotary’s Basic Education and Literacy month and the perfect time to highlight the Club’s donation of children’s books to elementary school libraries. Annually the club donates books to every elementary school library in Manhattan in recognition of our speakers. The project is managed by Stormy Kennedy, Rotarian and owner of Claflin books. Each week, the President ends the meeting by sharing the book title and the school where the book will be donated. Speakers sign an insert with the Rotary logo and denotes the book was donated by the Manhattan Rotary Club.
Two “Big Checks” were presented this month. President-elect, Chris Culbertson presented Melissa Soldan, development assistant with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Kathy Ray, executive director of the Crisis Center with “Big Checks” from cup money collections.
Our signature project, the Community Cares Chest had a huge month with detergent ranking high among products needed by local nonprofits. Members served forty nonprofits that collected detergent, vitamins, deodorant, books, and more. Rotarian Bill Richter reached beyond District 5710 to share books with other communities. Russell and Hillsboro libraries among others, took advantage of the great book giveaway.
The Club recognized Tracey DeBruyn’s 37 years as a Rotarian, who was among the pioneering women joining the Manhattan Rotary Club after the 1987 Supreme Court decision. Tracey served as club president from 2002-2003 and instituted cup money collections.
Members of the Manhattan Rotary Club volunteered with Feed My Starving Children to fill and pack meals consisting of dehydrated vegetables, flavorings, soy, and rice. The community wide event resulted in the packaging of over 100,000 meals in two days.
The K-State chapter of Rotaract resumed activities with a volunteer project at the Manhattan Emergency Shelter (MESI). Rotaractors organized clothes and other items in the MESI storeroom.
September was an active month for the Manhattan Konza Rotary. Our monthly Cup Collection went to Cats Cupboard.
Painted Patriotic Pebbles were found by kids at the 9/11 Day of Remembrance event in City Park. Thanks to the members who helped paint these pebbles at Heather Fink's house in July.
Dr. David has traveled from Guatemala to tell us about the process of the projects occurring in Patanatic. Our own Memory Buffington went to Guatemala to help with the efforts, taking donations of water, school and medical supplies this year.
Members of our club helped package thousands of meals of rice, beans, vitamin powder, protein powder and some dried herbs/spices in vacuum-sealed bags at the Feed My Starving Children Mobile Food Packing event on Friday & Saturday, September 20 & 21 at Pottorf Hall in CiCo Park.
Our own Joan Pierce hosted a special Downton Abbey cocktail party at her home on September 26. Club President Ben Kohl mixed unique drinks for those in attendance. A good time was had by all.
Kirk Crabtree was awarded his 2nd blue stone for his Paul Harris Foundation lapel pin. This additional stone signifies Kirk’s total of $3,000 in giving! Thank you, Kirk, for your generous spirit!
Our Guest Speakers
On September 6, we heard from Steve Smethers, Former KSU Communication Professor and Eric Atkinson, former Ag Director of KSAC/KKSU radio about the upcoming Century of Sound & Service: Celebration of Kansas Journalism & Mass Communications. This celebration took place on K-State Campus under the 100-year-old radio towers on September 13.
September 13, the talented K-State Bio/Ag Engineering Professor, Vaishali Sharda, educated us on her Water Sustainability Research Projects. Water is near and dear to the Konza Rotary Club as Water Maters to all! On September 20, Dr. Kevin Cook, Owner of ROOTED: Fair Trade Retail shared his story of becoming a shop owner and the impact he and his family have on others. September 27, Jeff Wick, CEO of WTC shared fascinating stories about Building Out Fiber Structure for Manhattan and all that entails.
We welcomed new member, Jane Schuh with Joe Mocnik and Club President Ben Kohl.
Marysville Rotary Club took time over the summer to paint, repair, and deep clean the Bommer School House in Marysville City Park.
The school house preserves history of a typical one room school house located in Marshall County and is typical for many one room school houses seen throughout the country in its time period.
The one room school house will be used for an activity during the Gravel Dash in Marysville KS the weekend of Sept 9—10, 2024.
Please share with fellow Rotarians and families from other clubs!
We would like fill the house as we continue to find things to do that better our communities/ our state/ our country/ and our world! And network great people…..
On August 7, the Overland Park South Rotary Club was pleased to be joined by U.S House Representative Sharice Davids, serving Kansas' Third Congressional District. On August 21, we welcomed District 5710 Governor Tamara Jo Sevcik for an update on our goals as Rotarians across eastern KS & the globe. We were delighted to have her join our inbound foreign exchange student Oceane from France along with our club president Ryan Wilkerson and our exchange student chair Mary Kolpin for a picture as well as a picture with the entire club (her idea!).
Many Shawnee Rotarians remember Tricia Stevenson as a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Shawnee. If you knew Tricia, you’ll remember her beautiful smile, her kind and generous nature, and her strong desire to help others, both as a nurse and a Rotarian. Tricia worked tirelessly on our Taste of Shawnee project for several years, but her favorite Rotary project was the Bike Safety Rodeo. Through her position at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, she supplied free bike helmets to children for years.
Tragically, Tricia passed away in January of 2024 due to complications from a fire in her home. The fire started in the kitchen due to unattended cooking and quickly spread. There were also no working smoke alarms in the house. In the days and weeks after Tricia’s death, Shawnee Rotarians got to know Tricia’s family. Through these new relationships we knew we wanted to honor Tricia and hopefully prevent another tragic death. Shawnee Rotarians, together with our friends at the Shawnee Fire Department joined forces, and that is how Tricia’s Kitchen was born. Funds from our local Foundation, as well as an anonymous donor, supported the purchase of kitchen hazard simulators. The Fire Department will use the simulators in the community and in schools to demonstrate fire prevention in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires in the United States.
Topeka South Rotary will be holding their annual Pumpkin Run October 27, 2024 at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, KS. This year’s event will be revamped from years past. This year's run will be an evening run through a Halloween decorated path. There will be different participation options including a 5K Run, 5KWalk, Fun Run or Family Stroll. At the end of the event, participants will be able to partake in a big trunk-or-treat put on by the Topeka High Interact Club and members of Topeka South Rotary. This will be an event you won't want to miss. More info and registration can be found at www.topekapumpkinrun.com.
Hello Polio Eradication Warriors,
Wild Poliovirus Weekly Update
DISTRICT CONFERENCE
September was a busy month for the Kansas City, Kansas Rotary Club! In addition to a great month of programs, KCK Rotary members spent volunteer time in the community. Members assisted with Rosedale Development Association’s park clean-up at Fisher Park in Kansas City, Kansas, and restocked shelves in the food pantry at Cross-Lines Community Outreach, also in Kansas City, Kansas.
Two “Big Checks” were presented this month. President-elect, Chris Culbertson presented Melissa Soldan, development assistant with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Kathy Ray, executive director of the Crisis Center with “Big Checks” from cup money collections.
Our signature project, the Community Cares Chest had a huge month with detergent ranking high among products needed by local nonprofits. Members served forty nonprofits that collected detergent, vitamins, deodorant, books, and more. Rotarian Bill Richter reached beyond District 5710 to share books with other communities. Russell and Hillsboro libraries among others, took advantage of the great book giveaway.
Members of the Manhattan Rotary Club volunteered with Feed My Starving Children to fill and pack meals consisting of dehydrated vegetables, flavorings, soy, and rice. The community wide event resulted in the packaging of over 100,000 meals in two days.
September was an active month for the Manhattan Konza Rotary. Our monthly Cup Collection went to 
Dr. David has traveled from Guatemala to tell us about the process of the projects occurring in Patanatic. Our own Memory Buffington went to Guatemala to help with the efforts, taking donations of water, school and medical supplies this year. 
Our own Joan Pierce hosted a special Downton Abbey cocktail party at her home on September 26. Club President Ben Kohl mixed unique drinks for those in attendance. A good time was had by all.
Kirk Crabtree was awarded his 2nd blue stone for his Paul Harris Foundation lapel pin. This additional stone signifies Kirk’s total of $3,000 in giving! Thank you, Kirk, for your generous spirit!
We welcomed new member, Jane Schuh with Joe Mocnik and Club President Ben Kohl.
Many Shawnee Rotarians remember Tricia Stevenson as a long-time member of the Rotary Club of Shawnee. If you knew Tricia, you’ll remember her beautiful smile, her kind and generous nature, and her strong desire to help others, both as a nurse and a Rotarian. Tricia worked tirelessly on our Taste of Shawnee project for several years, but her favorite Rotary project was the Bike Safety Rodeo. Through her position at Shawnee Mission Medical Center, she supplied free bike helmets to children for years.
Topeka South Rotary will be holding their annual Pumpkin Run October 27, 2024 at Hummer Sports Park in Topeka, KS. This year’s event will be revamped from years past. This year's run will be an evening run through a Halloween decorated path. There will be different participation options including a 5K Run, 5K Walk, Fun Run or Family Stroll. At the end of the event, participants will be able to partake in a big trunk-or-treat put on by the Topeka High Interact Club and members of Topeka South Rotary. This will be an event you won't want to miss. More info and registration can be found at 
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