This Rotor can also be found on the FRONT PAGE OF OUR WEBSITE,
on the right side (where it used to be).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Saturday, April 9th, John Van Koll will be sending out important information relating to our Club's Annual Golf Tournament at the Tor Hill Golf Course;
Rotary Club of Regina held their initial in-person noon Luncheon Meeting at the Delta on Monday April 4 - please drop in on a future Monday and experience a "meet in a common room" event;
April 14, 2022 our Guest Speaker is Cpl. Melinda Lalach - RPS Community Engagement Unit, telling us about Scams and Fraud - let us be ready;
April 28th Regina Eastview social evening at the Royal Regina Golf Course, new member induction, Paul Harris Fellow awards presented, etc.;
May 5th Justin LaBrash, a rising Saskatchewan Country Music Star.
Acting President Richard Schwan manoeuvered his way through his multi-focused responsibilities filling in for President Pat Dell and melding in his own role. About the time he was looking to introduce the Guest Speaker Matt Leisle, Matt arrived and Richard, with experienced ease, invited Matt to introduce himself to the meeting. We learned that Matt joined REACH (Regina Education & Action on Child Hunger) in June 2021. Prior to this and for over 15 years Matt had the experience of working with non-profit organizations at the local, provincial and national levels. This included working for Sask Liquor & Gaming Authority, Inclusion Saskatchewan, Community Initiatives Fund, Saskatchewan Literacy Network and University of Saskatchewan, the latter as a Researcher.
In his relaxed presentation, Matt Leisle, noted that he was attracted to REACH because it is a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to ensuring every single child in Regina has enough safe and nutritious food to eat. REACH is structured on three pillars: a) Food Security; b) Education; and, c) Child Nutrition Program.
a) Food Security - there is a strong focus on fresh fruit and vegetables. Their distribution of foods is tied to four programs.
i) The Good Food Box is a container of food delivered to recipients on a weekly basis and would include lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes and other fresh garden produce depending on the season.
ii) Family Basket Program is a basket of food delivered to prearranged recipients at a cost of $30.00 per month for those on social assistance.
iii) Convenience Meals - REACH has 26 (5 or 6 are vegetarian meals) different prepackaged meals, which are ideal for seniors or those recovering from a time of hospitalization.
iv) Mobile Stores - are set up in a number of Senior Buildings where the residents can come to do their shopping
b) Education - REACH is involved in various school initiatives including Preschool cooking classes in schools where persons are taught how to prepare healthy meals and snacks. There are cooking classes where "slow cookers" are used because these would be the most likely type of cooking containers in North Central homes. REACH also puts together spice kits which can be taken home as the quantities available for purchase in a store may be larger than most homes would require. They also conduct cooking classes in the community, where neighbors can gather and prepare larger quantities and then divide the result and distribute to participating families.
c) Child Nutrition Program - REACH is involved in lunch, meal and snack programs in various schools. They support day care programs and provide snacks to summer playground programs in the North Central areas of Regina. In each instance the food provided is culturally appropriate.
Matt welcomed a questions and answer time, during which we learned that unlike the Food Bank, which is an emergency food service, REACH buys their food from suppliers, and much of it is sold on a cost recovery basis. Matt estimated that over the course of a year they touch 17,000 lives in Regina. Matt encouraged us to share our awareness of the services available through REACH and as pandemic restrictions lessen, we explore volunteer opportunities within their structure.
Acting President Richard thanked Matt for bringing the REACH story to our attention. He commended the organization and Matt for their important enhancing the lives of the less fortunate in our community.
Child and Maternal Health is one of Rotaryโs 7 areas of focus. Rotary makes health care available to vulnerable mothers and children so they can live longer and grow stronger. Rotary projects to support mothers and children include mobile prenatal clinics, cancer screening, immunizations, and training on how to protect themselves and their children from disease.
Leif Riesach had a Birthday on April 5th and Pat Dell is celebrating her birthday on April 10th - Congratulations to you both;
Last week Assistant Governor Carole commended Jeff Barber for the Regina Public Library for a display at the George Bothwell Library featuring artistic talent of some Ranch Ehrlo students - please stop and appreciate the gifts, which oft times remain hidden, until the just right moment arrives. And then.....
Make A Mark
FELLOWSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
President Pat Dell was not available today, nor was President Elect Jeff Barber, so we were led by "Rotary Ready" Richard Schwan;
First it must be noted Richard filled the role with a significant never-seen-before handicap - a multi-fractured and now screwed together and cased left wrist;
Seems fault for this "fall from high atop a ladder" was assigned to someone else;
Acting President Richard was able to transition from this role to that of Philosopher, and Sergeant-At-Arm and back to President with mentored ease;
Happy dollars (30) came from Ann Grahame, because 30 years ago today she was diagnosed with cancer and over the ensuing years enjoyed 12 wonderful years of medical service as a dermatologist followed by 18 years of service as a member of Rotary - Congratulations Ann, on all those achievements;
Al Hoeft had 5 happy dollars for 5 years ago this week, he was diagnosed with cancer - Congratulations Al, for your continuing service;
After 2 years of isolation Shreedhar Jachak and his wife Shashikala are going to visit their 2 great grandchildren (and the great grandchildren parents) in Saskatoon;
This opening allowed Peter Peters to boast about their great grandchild Jett, who at 10 months of age, won the "Arena wide" featured infant crawling contest at last week's Saskatoon Blades hockey game;
Tip of the hat to Gail Bradley who is doing the ROTOR next week;
Hope to see you all next week.
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โNo one is useless in this world who lightens the load of another.โCharles Dickens
Today's guests
Today we were fortunate to have as our Guest Speaker Matt Leisle, REACH in Regina and Assistant Governor, Carole Bryant, from the RC of Regina. Thank you both for your contribution to our Rotary day.
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