January 09, 2025 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Kelly Neville

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren

Inspiration: Tom Wolfe

Introduction of Guests: Dave Hansen

Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Fisher & Emily

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Humor: Terry Roark

Foundation Drawing: Keith Downey won $10 with $308 in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Fisher

 

Rotarian of the Week: Terry Moss nominated Keith Rittle for his work on the Taste of Laradise grant application; John Bard nominated Terry Moss and Doug Faus for hosting the social hour at IMH.  

 

Songs: Auld Lang Syne, Beer Barrel Polka

 

Program: Crutches for Africa, Kelly Neville and Terry Moss

 

 

Kelly Neville and Terry Moss presented on an upcoming service project for the club, Crutches for Africa. This was the service project at the District Rotary Conference last year.

 

Dave Talbot is the founder of Crutches for Africa and a Coloradan Rotarian. He is a polio survivor and is now seeing post-polio syndrome as he ages.

 

Talbot noticed that there was a huge need for mobility assistance in African countries for those that have polio, have been injured, have other health problems, or birth defects. These people do not have access to the mobility-assistance devices that we readily have available in the U.S.

 

Crutches for Africa gathers mobility devices and transports them to areas in need. It started in 2006. This is a continual problem that requires consistent help. Crutches for Africa sends items such as joggers, crutches, braces, wheeled devices, and canes.

 

The idea is to move the U.S. surplus into developing countries where it is too expensive and there is no access.

Countries must have a distribution system in order to apply. Often Rotary or other groups assist with other partners. If the country can help with the shipping funding, they move up the list. Customs and the inland transport is the responsibility of the country and its partners. Rotary covers the ocean travel.

 

They can fit 400 wheelchairs in a 40ft cargo container or 1,300 other devices. Usually, a container will ship 3,000 pieces, and the cost is $3 per item to get there.

 

Crutches for Africa have sent 212,000 items worldwide. This is mostly in Africa, but there are Asian countries and Mexico as well.

 

For the Laramie Rotary Club, we are collaborating with Premier Bone & Joint and Ivinson Memorial Hospital to communicate and engage with patients. We are encouraging donations of devices and will work with other PT facilities as well. You can bring items to the meetings or drop off at PBJC or IMH.

 

 

 

 

Of the things we think, say, or do:

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and

  Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All    

  Concerned?

 

The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:

•FIRST. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;

•SECOND. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society;

•THIRD. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life;

•FOURTH. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org