Be the Change

 

On Saturday, May 6, members of the City of Lakes Rotary Club (COLRC) and their guests fulfilled food orders for 80 home delivery clients of the Community Emergency Service (CES) food shelf. This is an ongoing, bi-monthly club project which offers an opportunity to help senior and lower income community members in the inner city of Minneapolis. It is one of several service projects conducted by COLRC to support CES initiatives for those in need.

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The first-ever Rotary Awareness Day was held Monday, January 30, 2023, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. The event attracted approximately 100 Rotarians from three Minnesota districts. Thirty-six high school exchange students visiting districts 5950, 5960, and 5580 who are part of the NorthStar Youth Exchange — including Vernon Castillo, City of Lakes Rotary’s exchange student — enjoyed the tours, speakers, box lunches and many, many group photos with legislative leaders. 

 

 

The Minneapolis City of Lakes Rotary Club has supported CES Food Shelf for more than 20 years. Club members volunteer monthly to pack groceries for Home Delivery neighbors. The Club also financially supports CES, and we contribute hats and mittens each year to the Warm Hands, Warm Heads, Warm Hearts project. CES Staff Saundra and Krista were invited to join the Club’s meeting on January 18, where, together with Daily Bread Wellness founder Colleen Saumweber, they donated 139 pounds of food items to the food shelf.

 

 

We had so much fun at our service project to benefit Days for Girls on February 4. Fifty people helped make 300 feminine hygiene kits for girls in Kenya so they can continue to stay in school and have choices in their lives. The World Health Organization says that the single most effective way to spend a $1 on global health outcomes is to educate girls and women. As Days for Girls states, "Let's turn Periods into Pathways for girls around the world."  

 

 

The recently-released December 2022 newsletter for CES Food Shelf features an article about City of Lakes Rotary — titled “Service Above Self” — including an interview with COLer Gary Mosiman. Gary notes that COL Rotarians “see the need, and we know that CES is doing good work in the community.” Read the full article here. 

 

We received a very nice “thank you” letter from CES for our annual $4,500 donation to help with their mission (and to help fulfill our Community Service “feed” initiative). From the letter: 

 

 

On Saturday, November 5, 34 City of Lakes Rotarians and their guests raked yards for 13 seniors in South Minneapolis. This is an annual, family-friendly event that has been an ongoing community service project for over two decades. Though a little chilly, the weather was perfect for raking and all of the homeowners expressed their thanks (sometimes with cookies, power bars, coffee, and hot chocolate) for a job well done. Following the event, most of the group adjourned to the nearby Blue Door Pub for delicious food and beverages. Thanks to all who participated for making this another successful event!

 

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