Club 31 Welcomes New Member

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Kristen Brooks
Senior Account Executive
Exosome/BioTechne

Date Joined:  6/18/19
Rotary Sponsor:  Kristen’s Father Sid Brooks!

Kristen Brooks is a Colorado native, born and raised in Golden and Denver.  She attended Colorado Academy (’95) and is a graduate of Connecticut College (’99) where she played Lacrosse and received a BA in Psychology and French.  Kristen works in oncology and urology medical device sales, and has worked in medical, pharmaceutical and genomic cancer diagnostics for almost 20 years.  Kristen runs the Colorado hub for Cartagena Paws, a dog rescue organization out of Colombia, where she navigates adoptions and sponsors for homeless pups coming from Colombia to the states.  Lastly, Kristen is the Founder of Healthy Not High – a CBD movement, formally educating and consulting on the health benefits of CBD (a non-psychoactive molecule from the hemp plant).

Kristen travels with some frequency and has visited, studied or worked in various countries around the globe (such as Colombia, France, Czech Republic, Croatia, Mexico, Russia, Caribbean) and would like to add to projects here and abroad in the future.  Inspired by her father’s long time Denver Rotarian involvement, Sid Brooks, Kristen is very much looking forward to contributing to the Rotary community.

For additional information about new members, please log into our membership database at www.dacdb.com

2018-19 Rotarian and New Rotarian’s of the Year!

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On Thursday evening, June 20th, Club 31 Rotarian’s and their spouses gathered over appetizers and cocktails in celebration of our 2018-2019 year with President Pam Adams and to ring in the new year with President Jim Johnston (2019-2020)!  We honored our Rotarians of the Year and enjoyed musical entertainment provided by the highly talented and accomplished Ian Campbell, our Communications Team VP. Congratulations and Thank YOU Denver Rotarian’s for your many accomplishments and hard work this past Rotary year!

MELLY KINNARD ~ ROTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2018-2019


(L to R: Last Year’s ROY Don Lewis, Melly Kinnard & President Pam Adams)

Melly Kinnard is this year’s recipient of the Club 31’s Rotarian of the Year Award for 2018-19.  Here is just a sampling of Melly’s strong and impressive engagement in Denver Rotary.  Her participation covers all aspects of Rotary’s five avenues of service…

  • Has been a High School Mentor for seven years;
  • Major supporter of every Club fundraiser;
  • Works in the kitchen at our annual Peach Sale breakfast;
  • Is a Major Donor of both Foundations;
  • Visits Rotary Club’s whenever traveling, both in the US and abroad;
  • Brings in popular speakers as a member of the Programs Committee;
  • Key participant with the Club and District Rotarians for Mental Health committee, and was instrumental in bringing in a high caliber speaker for the annual State of the State Luncheon;
  • Has sponsored six new members Active with the Evening Membership group;
  • Heavily involved in membership engagement and is the Chair of member retention, prospect outreach, and hosting new member dinners;
  • Received the 2018 District Governor’s Discretionary Award for support of the Disaster Relief effort for Hurricane Harvey;
  • Co-Sponsored our two New Rotarians of the Year!!

 AND, Melly has accomplished all of this since joining our Club only seven years ago!  There is nothing she can’t or hasn’t done!

 According to several of her nominators,

“As a Rotarian for more than 22 years and in three previous Clubs, seldom have I come across a Rotarian who is more passionate about our organization than this person. A self-directed ambassador for Denver Club 31, she was diligent in getting to know me and my profession so she could connect me with other Club members of similar professions/backgrounds.” 

“Passionate about growing our membership, she makes it a point to collect business cards from nearly every visitor to our Club and follow up with them to ensure they stay engaged enough to join the Club.”

“She is most certainly Rotarians for Mental Health’s favorite Rotarian!”

“She is incredibly generous with her time and dollars. She embodies Rotary in everything she does. She jumped right up and was one of the first to give to the Hurricane Relief Fund.”

“She is also extremely active in the community as Chair of Denver Health Newborns in Need 2013-present; Second Chance Center Board; Nathan Yip Foundation Gala Chair 2018-19…just to name a few. She was also just awarded Junior League of Denver’s Sustainer Star Award for her years of dedicated service and financial support since 1972.”

“This Rotarian is passionate about people.  It reflects in everyone and everything she touches. I have heard so many members say, “we need more of her in our Club”!  Think of all we could accomplish and what a joy it would be!”

“Rotary’s mission is to do good in the world…a group of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  She exemplifies what it truly means to be a Rotarian…but she is no ordinary woman!”

Need we say more?  Melly enjoys being a Rotarian…engaging and selflessly giving with both her time and money, in both Rotary and numerous other non-profit organizations!  In fact, she will introduce herself as a “full time volunteer”, and the community couldn’t be luckier to have her.   Nor could our Club.

Congratulations Melly!
You make us proud and we too are blessed to have you as a member of Denver Rotary!

BRIAN SWEET & JEFF KLEINSCHMIDT ~ NEW ROTARIANS OF THE YEAR 2018-2019


(L to R: President Pam Adams, Sarah Kleinschmidt, Jeff Kleinschmidt,
Brian Sweet & Last Year’s NROY Colleen Cozad)

This year was a little different than most…we had so many strong and worthy candidates, that we have a tie!  Additionally, many of our nominators expressed the desire to award both of these “new outstanding members” with a joint award.  Our New Rotarians of the Year for 2018-19 are Brian Sweet and Jeff Kleinschmidt!  As business co-founders and friends, Brian and Jeff joined the Club together eight months ago and have already jumped in feet first, with no hesitation.

 According to several of their nominators,

 “I am Jeff Kleinschmidt’s sponsor, so I have watched him jump in and join the programs committee.  He is working hard to expand ideas and bring in good speakers.  Jeff also works on Project Cure.  He wants his sons to be community minded, so he brings them to every work opportunity like the Cherry Creek clean ups.”

“Brian has jumped in with Membership and worked very hard to be involved.  He has jumped at all opportunities to help in any way and has been great.   He is very kind, and I always see him sitting with different people and getting to know his fellow Rotarians.”

 “Brian and Jeff didn’t waste any time getting involved!  They were introduced to Rotary by a friend who is a mentor and adviser, and a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City.  They represent the future of Denver Rotary….and are really nice guys!”

In just the past year, Jeff…

  • Became a sustaining contributor of both our Foundations;
  • Became actively involved in our Programs Committee;
  • Has directly contributed his time to volunteer with his sons, at our Cherry Creek Trail Clean Ups and Project CURE Sort Nights;
  • Between our lunches, volunteer projects and committee meetings, have 100% attendance;
  • And will be our Service Team Co-Vice President in 2019-2020!

In just the past year, Brian…

  • Became a Denver Rotary Club Foundation New Member Fellow;
  • Became actively involved in our Membership Team and prospective member outreach;
  • Between our lunches and many committee meetings, have 100% attendance;
  • And have made your commitment to be our incoming Board Secretary in 2019-2020!

After joining Rotary in October of 2018, both have already shown a major commitment to their Club and to Rotary’s mission.  We are so fortunate to have two of the warmest, hardworking and dedicated new Rotarians as members of Club 31!

Congratulations Brian and Jeff!
Thank you for making Club 31 your new Rotary home!  We look forward to serving alongside
you for many years to come!

Thank You Rotarians and the Denver Rotary Club Foundation

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Dear Denver Rotarians…

Junior Achievement is supported by a $3,000 grant from our Denver Rotary Club Foundation for 2019-2020

We are extremely grateful for the support of Denver Rotary Club Foundation as we prepare and inspire young people to own their future economic success.  Together we can empower students to break through self-imposed boundaries, discover their enterprising spirit and learn the knowledge and skills they will need to compete for jobs.

Specifically, Denver Rotary Club Foundation is making a real difference in the lives of young people like Carole Smith.  As a student with a dream to be an artist, Carole did not initially think that business was for her.  However, she challenged that thought and participated in JA for multiple years, determined to learn the business side of being an artist.  Today, Carole owns her own online art business and credits JA with giving her the skills, tools and confidence she needed to become an entrepreneur.  Carole is now a JA volunteer as well!

Thanks again for your generous support and for helping make our children’s dreams a reality!

With gratitude,
Robin Wise, President & CEO

Community Resources, Inc. is supported by a $4,000 grant from our Denver Rotary Club Foundation for 2019-20

On behalf of Community Resources and the children and families we serve, I want to thank you and the Foundation for your continued support of our work with students and mentors.  I wish you had the chance to get to know some of the students whose lives you have changed.  It would bring both smiles and tears.

All the best,
Sue Edwards, Executive Director

Since 1946, Denver Kids, Inc. has been supported by more than $4.4 Million in grants from our Denver Rotary Club Foundation.

You made our day!  I can’t tell you how much we appreciate your support of our work to combat the dropout crisis and end the cycle of generational poverty in our Denver Public Schools community.  We are constantly humbled by the contributions and opportunities our volunteer mentors, community partners and donors have made to encourage the successful development of the whole child.

Here at Denver Kids, our goal is to make sure that every student counts, every student graduates.  While we served approximately 1,000 Denver Public Schools students last year with our educational counseling program, the fact is that 20 students are added to the wait list per month.  There is an overwhelming need and we could not do this important work without you.

Thank you for your generous donation of $559.14  from Trivia Night, to support our summer programs.  It will go a long way to help us empower our young people to become contributing members of the community, and end the cycle of generational poverty one family at a time.

With gratitude,
Michelle Maldonado, Director of Development

On behalf of PROJECT C.U.R.E., thank you for your generous gift.  Your commitment to Delivering Health and Hope to the World is truly appreciated.  Each year, we deliver more than $60 million worth of medical supplies and equipment to under served hospitals and clinics around the world.  These resources provide health and healing to tens of thousands of people who need it desperately.

It is because of supporters like you that we have been able to strengthen health care facilities, transform communities and save lives for 27 years.  Your donation of $1,000 to help pay for costs associated with vandalism to our trucks is greatly appreciated.  Thanks to the World Community Services committee of Denver Rotary, we are now able to put locks on the catalytic converters in our trucks to prevent this from happening again.  We are honored by the confidence you have placed in us and hope you will continue to support our ongoing worldwide efforts to bring quality health care to those who need it most.

With sincere thanks,
W. Douglas Jackson, PhD, JD, President & CEO

Doug McLemore Concert: Classical Meets Jazz

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You are invited for an unforgettable evening of elegant, classical music and swingin’ jazz at the University Club.  “Classical Meets Jazz” led by Rotarian Doug McLemore.  The quartet will be performing “Suite for flute and Jazz Piano Trio #1” a legendary crossover composition by composer Claude Bolling which was on the Billboard Top 40 for 10 years.  Added guest soloist as a preview of the another Bolling Suite.

CLASSICAL MEETS JAZZ: A CONCERT IN TWO PARTS

Part 1: Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio #2 NEW CONCERT
(A Suite in 8 Movements)

Part 2: Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano Trio, originally performed
by Claude Bolling (Piano) and Jean Pierre Rampal (Flute)

Cocktails will be served at 6:30 PM, three course dinner at 7:00 PM followed by the performance 8:00 PM!  Reserve your tickets with the UClub’s front desk today. 303-861-4267.  frontdesk@uclubdenver.org.

Cherry Creek Trail Clean Up – June 29, 2019

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The Rotary Club of Denver adopted the Cherry Creek Trail from Glenarm Place to Lawrence Street in mid-2018, and since then the Rotarians and other volunteers have picked up more than 2,500 GALLONS of trash and debris!  Spring and summer time are our busiest clean-ups because the warmer weather attracts more activity, more people and more trash – and we need your help!

Our next clean-up will take place on Saturday, June 29th at 8:30 AM.  We will meet at the trail entrance at Colfax and Speer, across the street from the Denver Fire Department.  Gloves, trash bags and grabbers are provided by the City, and coffee is provided by Andrew Walker.  If you need a volunteer shirt, please reach out to Andrew Walker with your size (S, M, L and XL available).

Lastly, please dress for the weather, and wear closed-toe shoes (especially water-proof boots or waders if you have them.  There’s been a lot of build-up in the creek and some of it is difficult to get without getting wet!).

DETAILS:
Location:  Cherry Creek Trail Clean-up at Colfax and Speer
Date/Time:  Saturday, June 29th at 8:30 AM until finished
Requirements:  Dress for the weather, wear close toed shoes and be sure to wear your
Rotary volunteer shirt!
Questions?  Call or text Trail Clean Up Chair Andrew Walker at 425-223-2120

Club 31 Rotarians Volunteer at JA Finance Park

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Someday – ready or not – young people will have to manage their own finances.  They will be faced with paying for housing, food and transportation, as well as saving for the future. But first, thanks to financial and volunteer support from Club 31, 18,500 middle and high school students in metro Denver had the opportunity to take on these responsibilities without suffering devastating consequences by participating in JA Finance Park during the 2018/19 school year.

In addition to teaching students how to create a budget, use financial services and save for the future, this economic reality check improves student attitudes toward work and education at a crucial time in their development.  In fact, JA Finance Park has proven to be so effective, the program has been recognized through Harvard University’s Global Education Innovation Initiative for excellence in teaching financial literacy.

The following Rotarians volunteered at JA Finance Park in April and May.  They each coached a group of 10 – 12 students through the simulation, while integrating their real-world financial experience, the good, the bad and the ugly, to help students understand how important it is to be financially responsible.

  • Julie Freshman
  • Wynn Gandera
  • Rick Bowmen
  • Melissa Bowen
  • Debbie Beasley
  • Colleen Cozad
  • Jim Goddard

Additionally, Jim Goddard brought his team from Senior Options out to volunteer at the Park!

In addition to volunteer support, the $3,000 grant JA received from the Denver Rotary Club Foundation this year, helped JA provide JA Finance Park to students at no cost.  Thanks to everyone who volunteered and to those who contribute to the Denver Rotary Club Foundation.  You’re making a long-term investment in our children!

If you’re interested, please take a moment to watch the video below to hear how one young man’s life was changed thanks to JA Finance Park and our volunteers!

Elijah’s JA Story

Rotary Youth Exchange: Open Your Home to the World

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Rotary Youth Exchange: Open Your Home to the World
Become a Host Family for the 2019-2020 academic year

The Youth Exchange Committee is delighted to confirm that Club 31 will both host and sponsor Rotary Exchange Students next year.  The Committee has been actively engaged in re-establishing Rotary Club of Denver’s involvement in this important Rotary program and with the RMRYE District Committee.

Rotary Club of Denver 2019-2020 Students

Sofia Valentina Cueto
In-Bound Student from Argentina
Will attend East High School

Louisa Wilson
Out-Bound Student traveling to Czech Republic
Currently attends North High School

Host families for Sofia and volunteers to introduce her to Denver and Colorado are needed.  Hosting a Rotary international high school student is a life-enhancing experience for your entire family.  It’s a unique opportunity to gain new perspectives, explore new customs, and share American culture and your community.  Most of all, you’ll build special friendships and connections that often last a lifetime.

For more information on hosting Sofia and on Rotary Youth Exchange, please contact Scott Campbell or Andrew Walker.

“Team DKI” | Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon | May 18 & 19

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Denver Kids, Inc. are looking for a few more active supporters to run for Team Denver Kids in the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon.  Learn more below and sign up today!

Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon | May 18 & 19

When you run or walk in the Kaiser Permanente Colfax Marathon for Team Denver Kids, you help pave the pathway to graduation and new possibilities for Denver Public Schools students experiencing the challenges of higher risk environments. Since 2008, runners have raised more than $230K to support our students and programs. Let’s keep the momentum going! If you’re ready to race, register below. Then, when prompted, select Denver Kids as your Charity Partner, and choose from a handful of races, including:

Saturday, May 18

  • 5K: walking, stroller and dog-friendly

Sunday, May 19

    • Full marathon
    • Half marathon
      • Urban 10-miler
    • Marathon relay

Once you register, we’ll set up your fundraising page, provide fundraising tools, and be available to answer any questions. After you cross the finish line, stop by the Denver Kids tent in the Charity Partner Village for some of post-race fun!

RUN FOR TEAM DENVER KIDS!

Questions about the Colfax Marathon? Contact Kelsey Grayson at kelsey_grayson@dpsk12.org or 720-423-3571.

Project Update: India Sanitation Project in Indra Village

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This morning we received notification from The Rotary Foundation that our Final Report for GG#1640728 – India Sanitation Project in Indra Village – has been officially accepted and all project activities now successfully completed.

Conditions in the community

People in the village live in the most deprived conditions of ignorance and poverty, completely unaware of their potential. In spite of being very near the capital of the country and having high potential for spiritual tourism, the village lags behind in almost every stream of development. Most of the people are still living below the poverty line and their education level is very low. It was found that open defecation is very high and overall sanitation conditions in the area is poor. Toilets are seldom found in the houses. Healthcare is not easily accessible because doctors seldom visit the community. There is urgent need for hygiene promotion. Health and hygiene promotion are required to enhance the health standards especially those of the women and female children.

Intervention

The objective of the project was to build 65 toilets for residents and conduct hygiene training and awareness in the surrounding community. We actually were able to construct 67 toilets – see attached photo. During the community celebration of the completion of the 50th toilet, members of the Delhi Midwest were moved to personally donate another 55 toilets for a total of 120. This directly affected over 800 people and influenced many times that number. It has been found that once families have toilets, others in the community are determined to get one of their own. This multiplier effect is difficult to quantify.

Many thanks to the Rotary Club of Delhi Midwest for all their hard work to bring the project to a successful conclusion, especially Ashok Jain and Sunil Kapoor. We also appreciate the generous funding from your club to make this happen. We appreciate it as do the people from the village of Indra, India.

Project Update: Kukanga Primary School from One School at a Time

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Dear Denver Rotary 31,

You are receiving this update as you donated over the past few years to the construction of a 5 classroom block building at Kukanga Primary School, rural Uganda (One School at a Time partner school #2). I wanted to share with you about the completion of these classrooms and our celebration this July 4th to commemorate just that!

Patty Gilbert and I, co-founders One School at a Time, woke at our Ugandan field office on that day at 7 AM to hear a huge commotion outside. We looked out the window, surprised to see a marching band (complete with tubas, horns, a drum and cymbals) along with over 500 student representatives from the 5 One School at a Time partner schools.

Little did we know, but they had planned a musical marching parade…..and we were the guests of honor!

We rushed outside and were swept into the fold as we marched in synch the 5 miles of dusty roads between our field office and Kukanga School. 100’s of onlookers lined the streets as the joyful procession snaked its way along. When we arrived at Kukanga School, the head teacher hurried us to the girl’s washing area admonishing us to bathe and put on new clothes. Turns out the new clothes she provided had been hand-sewn by Agnes, the head teacher of Bbinikila school, another One School partner. Patty and Juliet’s (Bays’ daughter) clothes fit perfectly but Bay’s were too small in the shoulders.

Next stop was the ceremony, attended by over 1,000 community members- parents, students, teachers, administrators, local government officials, church officials and a few reporters from local and national newspapers. After student dances, head teachers from each partner school summarized the changes that had occurred at their schools since partnership with One School at a Time. The finale was a raucous and controversial speech (encouraging parents to beat their children) by the Bishop of Mityana Diocese, followed by the offical “launching” of the new classroom building.

Earlier, the Bishop had communicated with Hussein Tadesse, One School Program Manager, that the original plaque thanking the donors (that would be all YOU wonderful people) was NOT acceptable and that the Diocese needed to be acknowldeged (even though they had nothing to do with the project). Eager to comply, Hussein simply made a new sign that covered the original plaque. This skillful solution assuaged all the egos.

After the “launch”, all 1,000 attendees were fed a traditional meal of matoke, rice, meat and sauce.

Upon our exhausted return to the Field Office that night, a knock came at the door. Agnes (photo below) had arrived! After a rigorous day of marching, speech-giving, and organizing and managing a giant celebration, she was there to measure Bay’s shoulders! As promised, the next morning like clockwork she arrived to deliver Bay’s outfit, now tailored to fit perfectly.

Thank you so much for being part of this wonderul and worthwhile effort. We could not have achieved all this without your loving support.
Bay Roberts and Patty Gilbert, Co-Founders, One School at a Time

If you want to go quickly, go alone.
If you want to go far, go together.
African proverb