ROTARY WATER PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

he Rotary Club of Kalispell and Partners formed the Sustainable Global Coalition which is currently working on the La Vega Water Project. We built strong partnerships with the community of La Vega, Guatemala, the Rotary Club of Mazatenango, Fundazucar and Engineers without Borders. The goal is to secure a safe and reliable water source for 1,340 adults and children. This project was funded through Rotary Global Grants, donors, and in-kind contributions from the communities in the form of local labor, local funding, and local leadership. Most of the shallow wells currently in use are contaminated. By providing clean and accessible water, this project will assist this community to grow and sustain a healthy environment. Together, we can change lives for the better.

Here is the latest update from Rotary Club of Kalispell member, engineer, and a project leader:

Great news to pass along. The well driller has passed 220 ft with little to no issues. The target aquifer is approximately 450 feet below the surface based on the hydraulic/hydrology report completed for this project. The Rotary Foundation (TRF)is set to transfer the first payment for the project. With the first payment and the funds previously sent by the Rotary Club of Kalispell, there should be enough money available to install the pump house, pump, and construct the water storage tank.

Thank you for your support,

Mark Rohweder, PE, PMP

What is a Tippy Tap and How Can Rotarians Help?

WHAT IS A Tippy Tap? A light-hearted name for simple devices that significantly reduce the spread of deadly diseases. It’s a simple hands-free device for handwashing in areas without running water. A container up to 5 liters fitted with a plastic syringe to “tap” a small flow of water. Soap is hung from the water container, and dirty water is captured for disposal in a basin below. A group of concerned Guatemalan citizens “Los Buenos Vecinos” (The Good Neighbors) are improving the health of their communities by making and installing Tippy Taps - practical, affordable, sustainable handwash stations - and teaching WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) protocols.

Studies show that daily use of Tippy Taps combined with WASH training reduces influenza and diarrhea by 47%. Diarrhea is the cause of most malnutrition and the highest cause of death in children under 10 yrs. 74% of Mayan children have chronic malnutrition. COVID-19 makes handwashing more urgent than ever.

Please join Rotary Clubs in Flathead Valley and across Montana to help Los Buenos Vecinos supply lifesaving Tippy Taps, towels, soap, and WASH training for 750 school children in the coastal highlands of Guatemala. BONUS MATCH!! An enthusiastic Rotarian has pledged to add $2,500 when our tally hits $3,000. Let’s do this!!

Donate Online via PayPal

https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=YAL6XXKCDLFZU

Donate by Check

Payable to Los Buenos Vecinos / 1150 Nucleus Ave. Columbia Falls, MT 59912

Los Buenos Vecinos is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, EIN 85-3478722.

Your donation is tax-deductible as allowed by current tax law.

Thank You Very Much!

Rotary Turkey Roundup Most Successful Ever!

Many thanks to Bill Hendrix who, once again, headed our Club's annual Turkey Drive. Bill's enthusiasm has grown this project every year, and this year we broke all records by raising $2850 to help the Flathead Food Bank provide local families with meals for the holidays.

THANKS FOR MAKING THE GREAT BEAR FESTIVAL THE BEST PARTY OF THE SUMMER!

WE RAISED A GLASS TO RAISE A COMMUNITY!

After a year of hibernation, the Rotary Great Bear Festival came back strong! Your Flathead Valley Rotary Clubs thank those who attended, our vendors and our generous sponsors for making GBF 2021 a success. We hope to see you all back in 2022.

The Flathead business community is known for its generosity to local causes. We appreciate our Great Bear Title Sponsor, Toyota, our Grizzly Bear Sponsor, Bay Equity, and the many local businesses who sponosored at the Brown Bear, Black Bear, Cub and VIP levels. Rotary’s mission is Service Above Self. Together, we make a difference!

The Magic of Project Fairs

The Rotary Club of Kalispell is part of a coalition bringing a safe water system to the community of La Vega, Guatemala. Rotarians from our area have attended Project Fairs in Central America the last few years and were very successful in forming new partnerships to complete this work. Learn more about that story here https://district5190.org/stories/project-fairs-jon-gresley-rotary-club-of-truckee

Brightening the Day at the Flathead COVID-19 Emergency Shelter

The Board met and recommended to the Contributions Committee that the Rotary Club of Kalispell provide a Memorial Day lunch to the Flathead COVID-19 Emergency Shelter, which provides space for families and individuals to shelter in place in accordance with public health recommendations. With help from Women Who Wine, 50 meals from Rotary Corporate Member Shawna and Willie Steele and their DeSoto Grille were delivered to the Shelter for a memorable day of honoring those who gave their all for our freedom.

Our Own Rotary "People of Action"

The Club took time to honor its own at our regular meeting. Custom made caricatures were given to Mark Rohweder and Scott Williams for their "above and beyond Service Above Self."

Scott has led the highly visible and impactful Youth Rotary Basketball program for our club for Twenty-Two Years. This program serves up to 1000 annually and is the principal entry-level basketball program in the Flathead Valley. Mark Rohweder is the visionary and Chair for the Great Bear Festival. 2019 was the 3rd Annual festival and netted local clubs $50,000 for Rotary projects. Well done, Rotarians!

What is Rotary?

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary members have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Our motto: Service Above Self

For more than 110 years, our guiding principles have been the foundation of our values: service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership.

What we do

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:

Promote peace
Fight disease
Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
Save mothers and children
Support education
Grow local economies

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Service Above Self

We meet In Person & Online

Thursdays at 12:00 PM

Hilton Garden Inn

1840 Highway 93 South
Kalispell, MT 59901
United States of America

We use a hybrid in-person/Zoom format for meetings. Visitors, please scroll up and click on Contact Us if you would like to sign up for in-person or get the Zoom information.

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