Speaker:Lauren Pierce, Executive Director of the Chris Klug Foundation
Lauren oversees the programming of events, fundraising and marketing of the Chris Klug Foundation’s mission. Pierce began her career at the Office of Special Events in Albany, New York. She moved to Aspen to work for the City of Aspen at the Wheeler Opera House. She has a decade of experience in directing volunteers and staff, coordinating many levels of internal and external communications, and implementing campaigns for non-profit organizations and advocacy groups.
The Chris Klug Foundation helps organize a network of generous donors, volunteers and employees sharing the mission to educate and inspire others about the importance of organ and tissue donation registration. Every day 22 people die waiting for an organ transplant (8,030 per year), while a single organ donor has the potential to save up to 8 lives. The inspirational story of Chris Klug and the selfless work of the foundation has changed the lives of many by simply giving away awareness. Started 15 years ago, at that time only 37% of the eligible population registered as an organ donor. Today (although much work remains) due to the tireless efforts to help drive the conversation, registrations have increased to 48%.
Dedicated to service above self, Lauren Pierce eloquently helped dispel the myths of organ donation that for so many years left the topic taboo. On Thursday, she kept the conversation going by delivering inspiring and educational messages about the mission of the Chris Klug Foundation. She explained the recent accomplishment of the foundation-- the development of a curriculum for students on thumb drives. In June and July 10,000 copies will be distributed to schools, providing the chance to share inspirational stories in many classrooms. The foundation also organizes ambassadors who are sent to hospitals to visit patients, and has developed an online platform designed to update organ donor registration status. To learn more about the Chris Klug foundation, please visit: https://chrisklugfoundation.org, and help them help save lives.
Guests:
Jude Rudolph who works with adults with severe and chronic illness is the guest of Christina King
Warren Klug is Kathy Klug's guest (and husband) who is graciously in attendance to support Lauren and the Chris Klug Foundation.
Anna Zane, a native of Aspen, owner of Zane's Tavern and member of the ASD accountability committee is the guest of Maurice Emmer.
Blair Flickinger joined the gathering as an emeritus member.
Esteemed Rotary President Craig Melville passionately appealed to members to donate $100 toward the International Rotary Foundation.
Kurt Adams thanked all members for participating in the Polio Plus program, which has raised $19070 to Polio Plus and the foundation, and encouraged all to think about the impact on the world and mankind.
Robin Smith reminds all Rotarians to talk up the "Extemp it Up" Rotary Extemporaneous Speech Contest on May 9 (with the finals the same day). Students from Glenwood, Basalt, RFV, and Aspen are participating. One or two more volunteers are need at the Meadows (2:00 pm).
A Community Grants thank you letter was presented for the Holiday baskets, which provided 250 families (1,044 individuals) gift cards for the holidays.
Congratulations to Lori Small for receiving her blue badge, arguably one of the fastest members to achieve this accomplishment.
Lorraine Ohanesian has added the Sponsor Levels and Sponsor Commitment Form to the Rotary home page so members can download them.
Happy Birthday to Ruth Kruger (May 8)
May 11: A Panel Discussion by your favorite local restaurant owners, including Chris Lantern. Craig Pierce, Barclay Dodge, Wendy Mitchell, and - if he's in town - Rob Ittner.
May 18: Angie Callen, Executive Director of the Red Brick Center for the Arts May 25: Diarmuid O’Connell, Vice_President, Tesla Motors
A reminder to all Rotarians that guests are free for the month of May.
Happy Bucks benefits:
The BETA SERVICE Club of Aspen High School
Kathleen M. Klug, Ph. D. and Sheri Smith, Mentors
Aspen High School
235 High School Road
Aspen, CO 81611
Happy Bucks support the service projects of 100+ AHS students. The service hours to the community, school, and other NPOs is significant and in any given year exceeds 10,000 plus volunteer hours.
Ten Rotarians were happy and selflessly generous supporting the AHS Beta Service Club during Thursday's Happy Bucks.
Ducky Derby:
Frieda Wallison reported that it has been a struggle this year to raise money for the Ducky Derby. With a $125,000 goal, to date only $44,500 has been raised. As of now there are no title sponsors. The committee is working hard coming up with new ideas to encourage more support, including strategies to make it easier for individuals to donate. Lorraine has sponsorship benefit forms and pledge forms. There is a special form for individual donations. Stickers are also available for businesses (proud DD sponsor), and this year the committee is offering vehicle stickers. A special thanks to Lorraine and Susan for their continued committee work.
The Weekly Newsletter of the Rotary Club of Aspen.
Speaker: Lauren Pierce, Executive Director of the Chris Klug Foundation
