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Ukrainian Vets

The speaker for Friday came to us virtually from London, UK, and was introduced by his father, Gary Hartman, a fellow Rotarian from the Snowmass Village club. Jeff Hartman became acquainted with Ukraine after spending two years there in 2002-04 as a member of the Peace Corps.

When war broke out in Ukraine three years ago, Jeff used his connections of 20 years to support his friends with delivery of humanitarian aid and the purchase and transport of almost 400 pick-up trucks from London to the Polish/Ukrainian border. The pick-ups are used to haul medical supplies and humanitarian goods to the locations in greatest need. Support for the mission has been growing over the past three years as the war continues to rage and Ukrainians continue to defend their freedom. For more information contact www.UkrainianAction.com.

Marshall’s efforts brought him into contact with an increasing number of Ukrainian veterans suffering from physical and mental/emotional trauma as a result of their military experiences. He felt that he could offer veterans healing and solace that comes from being in the mountains and connecting with positive physical experiences such as skiing and snowboarding.

Thus Marshall, with the support of Ukrainian Action, launched a companion 501©3 organization to provide this unique experience, Ukraianian Action Heroes.

Marshall shared the story of Teras Bihus through a short film, “Teras: A Solider Finds Solace in the Mountains.” The documentary film, created in partnership with local film company, Matchstick Media, profile one of the 1.5 million Ukrainians who volunteered to fight and were injured, one third of whom suffer from PTSD.

In the film Teras acknowledges the healing power of the nature, mountains, and snow sports; “the mountains know me and accept me. In the mountains you start to hear your thoughts… to recover.” We all know how wonderful the mountains can be as both a place to play and enjoy the outdoors and a place to find yourself and feel their beauty and peace.

The song sung by Steve Shute at the beginning of our meeting, Annie’s Song by John Denver, echoed the power of nature: “you fill up my senses like a night in a forest; like the mountains in spring time; like a walk in the rain.” Marshall reminds us that the mountains can also heal and bring someone back to themselves.

What’s Going On

Last week, Jim hosted his first meeting of his term as president. He started things off with a great sing-along with Steve Shute, the reluctant club song leader. He led us in a beautiful John Denver favorite, Annie’s Song. Thank you Steve, for that lovely voice and willing attitude.

We held a moment of silence for the survivors of the Texas flooding and mourn their losses with them. President Ingraham announced that our club will send money to the local Texas Rotary club to help in the disaster recovery. He also shared a Lakota blessing for peace and care and community.

Membership will be the emphasis of President Ingraham’s term and he started this off with the introduction of new member, Marilyn Hogan, who is transferring from the Summit County club. You’ll see more information about Marilyn in emails, but take time to get to know Marilyn and her robust Rotary background. Welcome Marilyn!

Finally, Debbie Wilde passed the hat raising funds for Epic Cancer Camp. She and husband Mike are alumni of the camp and have challenged each other on who can raise the most money. We hope that we can help them both win… so that more people can benefit from the Camp. Debbie raised $275! Not bad for a single pass through the club!!!!

Planning for Chinle Service

Debbie Wilde and Nancy Bo Flood recently hosted a well-attended virtual planning meeting for the June Service weekend in Chinle, AZ.

The project volunteers were in attendance to learn of the plans for work to improve the buildings and grounds of Chinle Planting Hope (CPH), the grassroots organization in the heart of the Navajo Nation. CPH is the focus of the recent $100,000 global grant from Rotary International!

The work weekend of June 6-8 will be filled with projects that enhance the spaces already created, as well as support the newly built Imagination Station. Rotarians and their friends will build shelves, install solar lights, work in the garden, clean and fill the Thrift Store, shelve books, read to children, as well as learn about the Navajo (Dine) culture and heritage.

CPH is looking for seeds! Please donate vegetable and/or flower seeds to help the CPH garden grow. Give seed packets to Debbie or Nancy at our upcoming meetings.

Rotary Scholars

We had the pleasure of meeting two Rotary Scholars, Antonia Perez Martinez and Kalin Loeffler, along with their families, on Friday. They are two of the five GSHS graduates awarded Rotary Scholarships to support their first year of college. Each will receive $2500.

(from left to right) Juana Perez Martinez, Antonia Perez Martinez, Scott Loeffler, Kalin Loeffler, and Tianna Loeffler.

Kalin Loeffler plans to attend Colorado Mesa University where he will major in fire science with hopes of coming back to the Valley to work. Loeffler completed his EMT certification while still in high school through the concurrent enrollment courses offered by CMC. His commitment to the area in a service-related field was a key element in the committee's selection of Loeffler.

Antonia Perez Martinez plans to pursue a career in biomedical engineering. She will attend Colorado State University in the fall with support from Rotary as well as many other foundations and scholarship donors. She brought her little sister, Juana, to the meeting. Perez Martinez is providing summer care for Juana as well as her two infant nieces this summer. She thanked the club for our support and looks forward to keeping us apprised of her progress.

Thank you for all the work you do in raising funds for us to award in scholarships. The tickets you sell, pies you bake, pancakes you cook and serve, as well as the happy bucks, raffle tickets, and individual donations, all go toward helping others achieve their bests. It's great when we get to meet the people we serve!

What Rotary Is

As put all our energies into our BIGGEST fundraiser this weekend, Rotary International is hosting its annual International Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Rotarians from around the world will come together to celebrate past achievements and focus on future strategic projects that address some of the world's most significant problems. Local club members Debbie Wilde, Charlene Revoir, Jim Ingraham, and Stig Svedberg (?) will be attending. We should expect them to return with new ideas and energy for the coming year.

Founded in 1905 by Chicago attorney, Paul Harris, Rotary was established so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. (www.rotary.org/history)

Rotary has two official mottos: "Service Above Self" is the one we know well and is repeated often. The other, "One Profits Most Who Serves Best," is equally important and focuses on the return that service brings to the individual and to their organization. It's a concept that quickly resonated around the world. In a mere 16 years after it's founding, Rotary clubs could be found on 6 continents.

That global involvement continues today. There are over 1.2 million Rotarians putting service above self in large and small ways. Rotary's official website - rotary.org - is a great way to learn more about all the ways clubs are serving the needs of world's most vulnerable and partnering with local communities to help them address their local issues and needs.

We belong to an amazing world-wide organization of service-minded people. What great company to keep!

Planting Hope... and much more

This is the first of three stories about our club's relationship and recent work with Chinle Planting Hope. You'll know from past issues and announcements, that Chinle Planting Hope (CPH) is a grassroots non-profit organization based in Chinle, Arizona in the heart of the Navajo Nation. Founded in 2016 CPH practices asset-based community development and invests in projects that build up the physical, social, educational and spiritual health of all community members.

Build Community. Live with Hope. Walk in Beauty.

District Governor Visit

District 5470 Governor, Whitney Smyth-Smith, visited our club on Friday. She gave us an update on all things Rotary! It was inspiring to hear about all the things that Rotary is doing in our district and around the world. We were reminded that Rotary continues to evolve to better address and support the needs of people around the world.

Pictured with Governor Smyth-Smith are past club presidents. From left to right - Debbie Wilde, Ken Robinson, Nick Adams, Joe Mueller, Whitney Smyth-Smith, John Spidell (visiting from North Colorado Springs club and father of GS Rotarian Matt Spidell). Our club presidents do so much in their year (or more!) of leading the club. We thank you for your service and your contribution to the larger Rotary community.

We also shared in the awarding of two Paul Harris fellowship awards: Dan Smith received his PH +1 and Jim Ingraham received his PH +5. These are important contributions to the work of Rotary International across the globe. Find out more about the history of the Paul Harris award. Contact Ken Robinson to learn about earning your Paul Harris fellowship.