Volume III, Issue 48   December 21, 2017  Editor: Roger Nicholson

 

>>>Polio fight intensifies

 

Sergeant at Arms Jon Kelly presented his message for the day as he described the continuing efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan to finally eradicate polio.  He referenced an NBC News feature that told about the resistance (sometimes with fatal consequences) against polio vaccinations due to religious beliefs.  UNICEF has teamed up with a local Afghani group called the Afghan Mini Mobile Circus for Children to help lure every last mother and child to get their monthly dose of polio vaccine.  Embedded in the Circus show is a lesson about polio and vaccination which, hopefully, will speed the end of polio, world wide. 

 

Speaker: Jeff Hauser, Executive Director of Challenge Aspen.  Jeff outlined the Challenge Aspen mission, the services provided and told two very heartwarming stories about people positively affected by his organization.  One was about two severely injured young Israeli women who, while serving in the Israeli army, both lost limbs when a terrorist in a van ran them down before detonating the van.  Both the van and the explosion caused their injuries.  After two years of rehabilitation in Israel, the two came to Aspen to participate in the CAMO program at Challenge Aspen, a program that 'provides adaptive therapeutic recreation and wellness experiences for military personnel diagnosed with cognitive and/or physical disabilities'. 

Jeff also told us about Danielle, a girl who has been with Challenge Aspen since she was seven and is now 19.  He detailed her progress as she has overcome a myriad of issues and is now living a much happier life.

Challenge Aspen offers 27 Retreats for Vets each year, many programs for autistic children and adults and a large slate of other programs that can benefit the one in seven US families that are affected by the many forms of physical and mental issues.  See their website at challenge aspen.org

 

Guests:  Mardell Burkholder, guest of Craton of the same surname. Cindy Hirschfeld, Editor in Chief, Aspen Sojourner magazine, guest of Steve Wickes; Peter Bissett, guest of Heidi Hoffman.

 

 

Past President Craig Melville, substituting for Scott Russell, updated the progress achieved over the last five years in our fight to eradicate polio.  Worldwide cases over the past five years:

2013     415 cases

2014     359     "

2015       74      "

2016       37      "

2017        17      "

 

Steve Wickes answered questions about the letter which all members recently received from President Scott Russell; this letter requested year-end donations for the Rotary Foundation. Frequently asked questions (and answers):

* Do donations made with dues payments also count toward reaching the next Paul Harris Level? (Yes.) * When do donations have to be mailed to receive a tax deduction in 2017? (Postmarked by December 31; that's 1:00 PM at the Aspen Post Office.) 

* Will my charitable deductions be more deductible in 2017 that 2018? (Quite possibly.)

* Can I donate online? (Yes. www.Rotary.org/give. Choose "Annual Fund - SHARE."

* What are our club's objectives with the Rotary Foundation this year? (1. Donate more money; 2. Receive more grant money back!)

* What are our goals for members' contributions? (1. Every member gives something; 2. Twenty members advance to the next Paul Harris recognition level.)

 

 

 

December 28: Eric Motley, Executive Vice President, The Aspen Institute

January 4: Dawn Shepard,  owner, Active Choice Fitness, "Creating Your 2018 Health and Wellness Goals""

January 11: Steve & Mike Marolt,  "Climbing & Mountaineering Adventures of the Aspen's Twins!"

January 18: Greg Lewis, "A day in the life of an Olympic Commentator"

January 25: Christina Medved, Watershed Education Director, Roaring Fork Conservancy 

 

 

Raffle:  After the first ticket drawn drew no response, a second drawing did produce a winner, Phil Salet, who drew the Nine of Clubs.  Sorry Phil. 

 

Happy Bucks:

Norm B.  Happy that our weather is finally headed in a positive direction.

Deborah B.  Happy that her oldest daughter flew in ahead of the storm and that Breen

family will be together for Christmas.  She also is happy that AVHS will host a 'Beer and Brats' celebration next week at the Bucholtz Cabin.

Roger N. is happy for Challenge Aspen and the work they do and the positive effect that they have had on his autistic grandson who has become an intermediate skier under their tutelage.

Justin B. is happy that his son, Jacob who joined him for breakfast, is involved in the Aspen Junior Hockey program and is enjoying it.

Todd B.  Happy that there will be snow for Christmas and that his two sons will be arriving soon.

Skip B.  Happy that his two grandsons, who attend Colorado Academy, are participating in that school's first ever ice hockey program.  One of the grandsons scored the first goal in the team's first game ever.

Charles C. is happy for Challenge Aspen because it is a great organization, happy for guest Cindy Hirschfeld because Aspen Sojourner is a great magazine, and happy that he survived the twins' seven year birthday celebration at The Red Brick.

Jon K.  Happy that he and his 11 year old son hiked the Aspen Highlands Bowl twice over the last two weekends.

 

Both Craton Burkholder and Stone Davis are recovering from Carpal Tunnel surgeries but bravely attended the meeting.

 

 

 

At the December Board Meeting, the Board voted to change how we recommend our members contribute to The Rotary Foundation (TRF). Previously, the suggested quarterly contributions were $25 to the Foundation's Annual Fund and $25 to Polio Plus. Starting in January 2018, the suggested contribution will be $50 to the Annual Fund and $0 (or any amount you choose) to Polio Plus.

 

Here are the reasons:

If you contributed to Polio Plus in the first two quarters of this (Rotary) year with your dues payment, that money will be still be sent directly to Polio Plus. Also, when we tell our weekly speakers that we are making a contribution in their honor to immunize children, that money will be sent directly to Polio Plus.