Many of you know that Peter Schultz and his wife Susan recently made the move to Nanaimo, where they’ve built their dream home (and from what we hear, it lives up to the dream!).

Peter had hoped to remain part of District 5060 through the hybrid Rotary Club of Kelowna Landmark. But in true Peter fashion—thoughtful, engaged, and all-in—he’s chosen to join his local club so he can participate fully, in person. Lucky them! His new Rotary home is in District 5020, Zone 27. We’re grateful he will remain an honorary member of the Kelowna Landmark club—because once you’re part of that family, you never really leave.

Peter’s Rotary journey is nothing short of remarkable. Since first joining the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo in 1997, he has been a builder, a leader, and a constant source of energy and excellence. From Club President to Assistant Governor, from shaping the Rotary Leadership Institute to training leaders across the zone, from conference chair to District Governor (2019–20), Peter has left a lasting mark at every level. And as a proud supporter of the Rotary Foundation—including as a Paul Harris Society member, Bequest Society member, and Major Donor—he has also helped ensure Rotary’s impact will continue for generations to come.

Simply put, Peter makes Rotary better.

We will miss his leadership, his generosity, and his steady presence—but we’re grateful he’s staying in the Rotary family (and not too far up the road). Nanaimo’s gain is absolutely our loss… but what a gift for them.

Peter plans to attend the District Governor changeover event in Wenatchee on May 30, which is a great opportunity to say both hello and goodbye.

Thank you, Peter—for everything.
 

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Several clubs throughout District 5060 are stepping up to the plate this year to donate money to Rotary’s PolioPlus fund.

Hats off to Cashmere, Chelan, Clearwater, Kamloops Daybreak, Kamloops West, Kelowna Carpi, Kelowna Ogopogo, Kelowna Sunrise, Lake Country, Leavenworth, Okanogan-Omak, Oliver, Osoyoos, Salmon Arm, Summerland, Upper Kittitas County, West Kelowna and Yakima, all of which have topped their funding goals for the program.

Other clubs working hard to meet their goals include East Wenatchee, Kalamalka, Kelowna Landmark, Moses Lake, Penticton Sunrise, Prosser, Salmon Arm Daybreak, Wenatchee Confluence, Wenatchee Sunrise and Wenatchee.

As of March, total district giving to PolioPlus for 2025-2026 is $58,400.00, up from last year at this time. All donations will be matched two for one by the Gates Foundation, meaning the District is responsible for more than $175,000 to fight polio (and we still have three months to go).

If you would like to help your club meet or exceed its goal to eradicate polio, consider joining the District 5060 PolioPlus Society. Pledge to donate $100.00 per year every year until Polio is eradicated. We have 86 members and are shooting for 100. The hundredth member will receive a Paul Harris Fellow from the District. For more information email:
pete2@vanwell.net

 To donate go to
https://my.rotary.org/en/donate

In the meantime, the fight to eradicate polio in the last two endemic countries of the world, Afghanistan and Pakistan, took a step back as the first case of wild polio for calendar year 2026 was reported in Afghanistan. Still, the resolve remains the same to vanquish this crippling and deadly disease.

Thank you, District 5060 Rotarians, for doing your part.
 

WORLD IMMUNIZATION WEEK

World Immunization Week is a powerful reminder of the life-saving impact vaccines have had across generations. Rotary districts and clubs have long been champions of global health, and this is an opportunity to renew that commitment at the community level. By raising awareness, hosting events, and sharing trusted information, Rotary members can help reinforce the importance of immunization in preventing disease and protecting vulnerable populations.

Equally important is encouraging community voices to speak up. Writing a letter to the editor is a simple yet effective way to advocate for vaccines, counter misinformation, and

highlight their benefits. When local residents share personal stories and facts, it strengthens public understanding and trust.

This World Immunization Week, April 20 to 24, let’s inspire action, celebrate progress, educate neighbors, and urge everyone to write a letter to the editor—because informed communities are healthier communities.

Thank you for helping others know and remember that our top humanitarian goal is ending polio.

The fact that the polio vaccines works is proof that together we will end polio.

It’s getting warmer in Belgium, and it’s getting closer to the end of my exchange. Part of me misses home but the other part of me knows leaving Belgium will be so much harder and that I will miss it all so much. I think one thing I’ve really realized this year is that traveling the world is so much fun, but traveling the world with the right people makes it all so much better. I will soon be traveling to Greece on a Rotary trip in May with all my best friends and I couldn’t be more excited. I have definitely made friendships that will last a lifetime, and we are all trying to figure out how we are going to meet up again once we leave Europe. I’ve also recently switched host families and got the opportunity to go skiing with them in the French Alps! I definitely love this family a lot as I have younger siblings, and they remind me of my family back home."

- Maddie

In the fall, we held a donation drive at the high school in support of the SPCA. We were able to collect several boxes of pet supplies, which we delivered to the local SPCA. We also organized our school’s Christmas food drive, helping support families during the holiday season.

To spread some extra holiday cheer, we ran a Christmas card-making campaign and collected 160 handmade cards from students. These were distributed at the Community Christmas Dinner. In addition, we supported a family through the Safe Society by putting together a Christmas hamper.

In February, we focused on building a positive school culture through a “Kindness Campaign.” We created a Wall of Kindness where students and staff could leave encouraging messages and organized a Kindness Bingo to get staff and students involved in small acts of kindness. For Pink Shirt Day, we hosted a lunchtime activity where students decorated 150 shirt-shaped sugar cookies with pink icing to promote anti-bullying awareness.

We are currently working on an environmental project for the School District’s Environmental Expo at the end of April. Looking ahead, our club is also interested in organizing a spring donation drive for baby and maternity items, and will help deliver bags for our tri-club food drive.

Ellensburg Noon Rotary: Second Century and Still Going Strong

April is a busy month for our club. It’s time for our biggest fundraiser of the year, the Employee Appreciation Lunch which regularly draws hundreds of people for ninety minutes of fun and food. (See pictures)

Proceeds go to support the club’s many local projects, such as the new Unity Park in downtown Ellensburg. (See picture)

The Ellensburg noon club was founded in 1922, as the third oldest club in our district. For over 100 years, it has served Ellensburg and the surrounding community as well as the world through international projects like the Bawa Health Initiative in Cameroon, West Africa 

In our second century, we’re growing with new young members, and still working hard to honor Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”.

Contact: Corwin King, PDG, 2007-08

For the past 15 years, the Prosser Rotary Club has proudly supported local students through its annual Dictionary Project. Each year, Rotarians deliver a personal dictionary to every 3rd grade student in the Prosser School District, including Heights Elementary, Paterson Elementary, and Whitstran Elementary.

This meaningful tradition ensures that every student receives a dictionary of their own—an important tool that helps build vocabulary, strengthen reading skills, and spark curiosity about language. By putting the power of words directly into students’ hands, Prosser Rotary continues to invest in education and inspire a lifelong love of learning in the community’s youngest learners.

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful lake that supplied drinking and irrigation water to the people, and where boaters boated, swimmers swam, fishermen fished, and tourists toured. Then the zebra and quagga mussels came, and it all changed. This has not happened in District 5060…YET!

Startling? You bet it is! Read the entire story to learn about how you can help prevent this “invasion” from spreading to the waterways throughout our District.

We strongly encourage you to view this outstanding video, prepared by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB). If you value our precious waterways, these few minutes will be well spent https://youtu.be/fgLEFZ0ZaCo?si=e8BhCd2nd81bKLbZ


 

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$1,000 USD every year and not listed as a Paul Harris Society member?
Do you want to commit to $1,000 USD every year by being a Rotary Direct Member?

WHAT IS THE PAUL HARRIS SOCIETY? 
The Paul Harris Society, named for Rotary’s founder, is made up of dedicated supporters who annually contribute $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Rotary Foundation grant. DOING GOOD — MADE EASY Rotary’s recurring giving program, Rotary Direct, is an easy way to give throughout the year. Visit www.rotary. org/give or select the recurring giving option on the attached form to enroll in for Rotary Direct today.

Contact Charlie Arvidson jcarvid87@hotmail.com in the USA, or Sherry Chamberlain sherry@adobie.com in Canada once you fill out an application (https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/paul-harris-society) and we will mail you your “chevron” pin which you can place behind your Rotary pin and proudly talk about what PHS means to you.

Sherry Chamberlain, PDG and DRFC
Canadian Ambassador Chair for Million Dollar Event.

You can also ask me about the Million Dollar Fundraising event if you are in Canada.

The air in the Centre for Learning Atrium was filled with more than just the rich, smoky aroma of peat and oak this past February. It was charged with the spirit of "Service Above Self" as we hosted our 2026 Charity Whisky Tasting, raising vital funds for the Okanagan College Foundation.
This year’s event was particularly special, as it celebrated nearly two decades of local impact. The Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo has been running these tastings since 2008. While the whiskies change, the incredible generosity of our community remains a constant.
The proceeds from this year are earmarked for supporting the completion of the new Recreation and Wellness Centre. By raising a glass, our members and guests help build a hub for student life and community wellness that will serve the Okanagan for generations.
A Journey Through the Highlands (and Beyond) 

Under expert guidance, guests experienced a masterclass in distillation, exploring a curated flight of seven lovely malt whiskies. The selection took us on a sensory tour of Scotland, ranging from accessible favorites to rare, aged treasures:
Whisky Selection
Deanston - Virgin Oak. A bright, zesty start with a hint of honey and citrus.
Laphroaig - 10 Year Old. The classic Islay peat—bold, medicinal, and unmistakable.
Glenfiddich - Fire and Cane. An experimental fusion of smoky malt and sweet rum cask finishing.
Port Charlotte - 10 Year. A heavily peated, yet elegantly balanced Islay masterpiece.
Lagg - Corriecravie. A rich, Sherry-finished malt from the South of Arran. |
Macallan - Sherry Oak 12 Year Old. The gold standard of elegance with dried fruit and spice notes.
Aberfeldy - 21 Year Old. Our grand finale—a sophisticated, silky-smooth Highland classic.

The evening was rounded out by traditional Scottish shortbread and the stirring sounds of a piper, truly transporting us to the Highlands for a few hours.

Reflecting on the evening's impact and our history with this event, Brian Hillaby, President of the Rotary Club of Kelowna Ogopogo, shared his gratitude: "It is truly inspiring to see our community come together over a shared appreciation for fine whisky to support such a vital cause. Since we started these tastings in 2008, we've seen how much good can come from an evening of fellowship. By investing in the Okanagan College Foundation and this new building, we aren't just contributing to a structure; we are investing in the health and future of the students who will lead our community forward."

The generosity of our community was on full display. Between ticket sales, the 50/50 draw, and the silent auction, the night was a resounding success. We’ve proven once again that when Rotarians come together, we can make a world of difference—one dram at a time.

                         
 

It  is Toppenish's 100th Anniversary this year.  We chartered in 1926.  Since Toppenish is where the west still lives, we are holding a barn dance.  The community is invited.  We have also sent out invitations to Rotarians.  I am hoping you can help us advertise this in the District Newsletter and wherever you think will help us.  We would love to pack the house for this event.  RSVP's can come to me holymoses63@gmail.com or to our Rotary email address  topprotary226@gmail.com.
 

Here are the details, 

Namaste ?? , We’re excited to share that Bollywood Affair 2026 — The 2nd Affair is happening again! ?? Last year was an incredible night, and with your sponsorship and ticket sales together, we raised over $14,000! This year, the event will proudly support the BC Wildlife Park. ??

?? May 30, 2026
?? Kamloops Curling Club Arena

?? Tickets are now live! Get tickets here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/bollywood-affair--2026 

Limited sponsorship opportunities are available. 

Get ready for a vibrant evening with:
?? Energetic drummers & dazzling dancers
?? A grand Indian buffet
?? A spacious dance floor
?? A cozy hookah lounge
?? Silent & live auctions with amazing prizes

Don’t keep this event a secret—invite your friends and family and let’s make the party even bigger this year!

Hope to celebrate with you! ?

This year’s dance portion of the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival was nothing short of a triumph. The Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna  came alive with extraordinary talent, passionate performances, and a community spirit that reminded us why the arts matter so deeply in the Okanagan.

What made the festival truly special, though, was the way Rotary clubs from across the Central Okanagan stepped forward to help it all run seamlessly. Volunteers from multiple clubs showed up with trademark Rotary energy—welcoming young performers, supporting organizers, keeping the performances on schedule, and ensuring every participant felt encouraged and celebrated.

Their presence didn’t just fill volunteer shifts; it elevated the entire festival. Rotary’s commitment to service added warmth, professionalism, and a sense of community pride that was felt by families, performers, and audiences alike.

The festival was a resounding success, and Rotary played a meaningful part in that success. It was a beautiful example of what happens when community, creativity, and service come together.

The voice portion and music portion of the festival will kickoff in early April.  Come on out and show your support!

Tobi Bryne

Quick and easy actions members and clubs can take on and around April 22nd

By Kris Cameron, ESRAG Plant Rich Diet Task Force Co-chair, Wenatchee Rotary Club

The birth of the modern environmental movement is widely attributed to the first Earth Day, which was
celebrated in 1970. Since that inaugural event, we’ve greatly expanded our knowledge about our
human impacts on the climate and the earth. Rotary International (RI) joined the effort by approving the
formation of a Rotary action group for environmental sustainability 45 years later (ESRAG), and in 2020
added protecting the environment as Rotary’s seventh area of focus.

Rotary International past president, Ian Risely, posed a call to action by saying that environmental
sustainability was “every Rotarian’s business.” While most ESRAG members do everything they can
every day to lower their impact on the planet, here are some quick and easy things all Rotary members
can do on and around Earth Day itself that require no pre-planning or funding.
Get inspired
• Visit the ESRAG website to learn about the host of earth-friendly, supported projects and activities you
and your club can do.
• Read/share the ESRAG Green Events Handbook, and/or 7 Habits of a Climate Friendly Rotary Club,
written by ESRAG Director and Co-Chair of the Climate Solutions Task Force, Michael Koch.
• Watch this 10-minute video to learn about “No Mow May” and how you can turn your landscaping into
a biodiversity paradise.
• Learn about the impact of many of the climate solutions available to us as individuals and clubs as
evaluated by our official ESRAG partner, Project Drawdown.
Download Helpful Apps
• The Happy Cow app helps find restaurants near you that offer plant-based, planet-friendly menu
options.
• The ‘Beat the Microbead’ app allows you to scan labels of products to find out whether they contain
microplastics.
Plan Ahead
Flying somewhere in the future? Use the ESRAG Flight Carbon Estimator to learn how you can offset
the impact of your trip.

Take Action
Attend and support an Earth Day event in your community.
Eat one or more plant based meals, and sign up for the free ESRAG 15-Day Plant Rich Challenge.
Invite a group and register your plant-based table at https://1milliontables.org/
If you have solar panels on your home or business, or know someone in your club or district who does,
you can log those panels as part of the Million Solar Panel Challenge, or make a donation to help
others install panels.
If you’re going shopping or dining out, be sure to bring your own: takeout container, bag, cup, cutlery,
bottle, and choose products that are not packaged in plastic. Tune in to Plastic Solutions Café.
Submit a Pollinator Resolution and Pollinator Pledge to https://esrag.org/operation-pollination
Make a donation to provide clean cook stoves to put a dent in deforestation for firewood, and reduce
respiratory problems from cooking smoke inhalation. A contribution of just $30 will offset 1 ton of CO2.
Contact Task Force Chair Maya Smeulders at mayasmeulders@hotmail.com
Contact your local solid waste authority/agency and find out how to recycle and compost where you
live. (Food waste in landfills generates huge amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas!)
Attend the Rotary Xperience at Earth X in Dallas, Texas (USA) April 20-22nd.
Join with thousands of fellow Rotarians around the world and become a member of ESRAG.
“We are not helpless. We all have the ability to make this world a better place. We can start
with small steps, one day at a time.” ? Wayne Gerard Trotman, autho

My experience at the USA-France ICC Positive Peace 
Seminar in Orleans, France was incredibly impactful. 
From the moment I touched down in Paris, I could feel 
a sense of hope; a sense that I was about to embark on 
a life-changing experience that would not only change 
my life for the better but help me create a more 
positively peaceful world for those around me. While 
the more peaceful world is yet to be written, as I 
reflect, I can say with full clarity that my experience at 
the seminar was life changing. 
The topics we covered during the seminar gave me a 
plethora of ideas for how to being creating positive 
peace in my community and beyond. The friendships I 
made with the other participants, local Rotaractors, 
and Rotarians have strengthened my resolve that a 
more peaceful world is possible. 
I was even able to create more peace within myself during this brief time, which I think will be a strong first 
step down an exponentially positive path. Little did I know that a broken leg six weeks prior to the seminar, 
would actually help me gain a deeper understanding of positive peace while at the seminar. My life had 
been turmoil, pain, suffering for six weeks (truthfully it had been a lot like that for the last couple of years). 
I didn’t even know if I would be able to make the trip but I was determined to be there as it is my life passion 
to create a more peaceful more prosperous world. 
The seminar was already creating my hope in my life as I agonizingly began to recover from my injury by 
giving me something to look forward to taking part in. I took so much from the seminar that I could write for 
days about it but I’ll just share some highlights for now. One of the most impactful pieces of the seminar 
was receiving clarity about how to develop projects that will successfully lead to positive peace. As a long 
time Rotaractor and now Rotarian, I am always thinking about how I can help make my community better. 
I had my ideas, but no framework to ensure the programs moved forward and were successful. 
Our facilitator, Serge, gave us a clear, easy to follow framework that look at all the various pieces that can 
make or break a project. I can’t wait to get home and start putting my projects into action with this 
framework. While the content of the seminar was impactful, I believe the friendships I made during the 
week had an even greater effect on me. 
My fellow participants and I had some great times together throughout the week. Hearing their stories, 
ideas, hopes, etcetera gave me hope that positive peace throughout the world is achievable and will 
happen. I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting some of the local Rotaractors and Rotarians. Being so 
generously welcomed in by fellow Rotarians has further engrained my faith that Rotary and its members 
are leading the charge towards a more peaceful world. I am departing from my new friends with the belief 
that it is not a matter of “if” but “when” a peaceful world that benefits everyone, will be achieved. 
The seminar has already created more positive peace in the world, by giving me the opportunity to work 
within myself to find peace that I knew was within me. Over the past few years, I had been living a chaotic 
life with many negative events occurring which led me to lose some of the light and peace inside me. I had 
ample time throughout the seminar to find the light again and make it shine brighter than ever before. I see 
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my path forward more clearly than I have in quite a while. As another one of our facilitators, Karine, stated 
“positive peace starts within ourselves”. If my cup is full, I am able to pour into other’s cups, which leads 
to an exponential impact on the world. 
I am more at peace now as I embark down this new road that has opened before me as a result of the 
seminar. I am thankful for everyone that made this seminar happen and gave me the opportunity to be a 
part of it. I am glad I took the chance to apply. 
I leave Orleans already taking steps to put what I learned into action. I have hope that a brighter world is on 
the horizon. I know that I can play a large role in creating positive peace as a result of this seminar. Each of 
us may be but one drop of water in a vast ocean, but all it takes is one drop to create a ripple that turns into 
a tsunami. I think this seminar created many drops of water that will create a ripple that goes around the 
world, spreading positive peace everywhere. 
Biography 
Kyle Rasmussen currently lives in his hometown of Yakima, Washington. He joined Rotaract in 2018 after 
graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in financial planning. 
He has served in multiple leadership roles in Rotaract and Rotary. He currently serves as the District 
Rotaract Chair, District Interact Chair, and District Youth Exchange Treasurer for District 5060. In February 
2024, he joined the Yakima Sunrise Rotary Club where he is currently the president-elect. 
He is currently working to obtain his master’s in secondary English education through WGU. When he is 
not in school or volunteering with Rotary, you can find him coaching or playing tennis, reading, or at a heavy 
metal concert. He is passionate about creating a more peaceful and prosperous world where everyone has 
the opportunity to pursue their passions.

Our next District Zoom Chat is just around the corner.

Topic: Show Me the Money....for Good!

When: Monday April 13th, 5:30-6:30pm

Join us at 5:30 for a 30 minute discussion about the importance of FUNdraisers and how to think outside the box, followed by 30 minutes of idea sharing with fellow Rotarians. Golf tournaments and auctions have their place, but sometimes it’s good to shake things up a bit! Think virtual reality, farm bingo, trivia with a twist and everything in between! Share your fun ideas or learn from others what they’re doing and what they’ve heard! There’s some really innovative fundraising happening out there and perhaps hearing about some of those ideas will spark your imaginations!

District 5060 was proudly represented at this year’s North American Youth Exchange Network conference in Houston by Richard DeRock, Robin DeRock, and District Governor Elect Jill Leonard. The annual NAYEN conference brings together Rotary Youth Exchange leaders from across North America and around the world to strengthen partnerships, share ideas, and enhance the experience for students participating in Youth Exchange.

A key strength of the conference is the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with exchange partners. As Robin DeRock shared, “NAYEN is a tremendous tool to make personal connection with partners across the world. Having face to face conversations with our exchange partners allows us the opportunity to offer a better experience for our kids and our clubs. Which overall helps us grow the program in a positive way throughout Rotary”.

Sessions throughout the event focused on best practices, program consistency, student safety, and leadership development. Participants explored strategies that support strong district programs and ensure Rotary Youth Exchange continues to grow with integrity and purpose. Reflecting on the experience, Richard DeRock noted,
“NAYEN is invigorating to see all the other their passion and care for the program and discovering we are doing things right. We lead with integrity and focus.”

For District Governor Elect Jill Leonard, the conference also highlighted the importance of district level leadership engagement in Youth Exchange.
“As the DGE I was amazed at the collaboration between all the countries. I loved learning about the many leadership positions and descriptions. Our district will be stronger because of the participation in NAYEN. It is important that District Leaders support the work of our Youth Exchange Committee.”

In addition to learning sessions and networking opportunities, the conference included two lively theme nights, Space and Western, that helped build connections across districts in a fun and memorable way.

Attendees were also inspired by keynote presentations, including a fascinating talk from Brian Duffy, who shared stories from his space missions with insight and humor. Additional keynote speakers Shirley Pat Gale and Julie Mulligan offered powerful personal reflections on how Rotary has shaped their lives and leadership journeys.

Participation in NAYEN strengthens District 5060’s ability to support students, volunteers, and partner districts across the Youth Exchange network. The connections, tools, and inspiration gained in Houston will continue to benefit our program and the young people it serves.

In British Columbia, children with symptoms of autism cannot access government-funded treatment until they receive a formal clinical diagnosis. Yet in the South Okanagan, the wait time for a public assessment through the Interior Health Children’s Assessment Network can stretch from two to three years. Private diagnoses, which typically cost several thousands of dollars, are beyond the reach of many families. As a result, some vulnerable school-age kids go untreated during the critical early years when intervention has been shown to significantly improve long-term developmental outcomes.

Recognizing this breach in care, a concerned group of local health and education professionals launched a pilot initiative in the summer of 2024 to provide faster, cost-free autism assessments for children at highest risk. Named the South Okanagan Assessment Program (SOAP), the project was created to help school-aged children from low-income families receive certified diagnoses without the long wait times or financial burden.

The initiative was spearheaded by pediatrician and autism assessment specialist Dr. Miriam Oliver, working alongside speech-language pathologists Janette Grant and Maureen Wourms Larson. Together, they approached the Rotary Club of Penticton Sunrise for funding to kick start the project. The club enthusiastically pledged $2,500, reflecting its commitment to youth-focused community initiatives, and quickly reached out to other Rotary clubs in the region. Soon the Rotary Clubs of Penticton, Oliver and Osoyoos also contributed, raising a combined total of $8,800 to launch the pilot program.

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The East Wenatchee Rotary Club purchased twenty-five $20 gift certificates to Fred Meyer and donated them to our local high school at Christmas. Our contact at the high school is an administrator of the Eastmont Opportunities Program. He and his fellow teachers were going to disperse them to ‘at need’ students. Here are two results that he shared with us of his experience in giving out the gift cards:

Student 1: Working fulltime to provide for his mom and little brother, while dealing with a past of horrible physical abuse. Frankly, he's barely making it, and can hardly keep his eyes open at school. Just yesterday, he told me that he got off work at 4:00 am. I gave him some of your gift cards and told him to buy a Christmas present for himself, his younger brother, and his mom. I then matched your cards with some, Noell scholarship money, and told him to buy his family groceries and their favorite Christmas meal. He was literally speechless for an awkward amount of time and then showed me a smile that I didn't think his face could make:). Incredible, even a couple tears!

Student 2: This kid is as tough as they come. He's had a rough life and has grown up angry, fatherless, in the gangs, and fighting. We've been doing a lot of work with him and he's coming around. The family is poor and he can't find a job...but wants to help his mom support the family. I intentionally waited until Christmas break and drove to his house to surprise him. He opened the door, shocked to see me, with his two younger siblings standing next to him. He told them who I was, and I looked at his little brother and sister and said "You know why I'm here?". They said no. I told them that their older brother is pretty amazing and one of my top students. Some friends of mine from East Wenatchee Rotary and I want to reward his hard work. I gave him a pile of gift cards and some cash and told him to buy his little siblings, mother, and himself something for Christmas...and of course, their favorite Christmas dinner. The kid actually hugged me! 

We, as Rotarians, make donations throughout the year and never know of the impact they make to the recipients. Sometime, it really is the small things that make a big difference.

Karin Kristjanson, President
East Wenatchee Rotary Club

TWO MORE DAYS  to register for the District 5060 Rotary Conference in Kamloops BC!! Take a sneak peak here and see the key note speakers for this years conference. 


 Join Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Visiting Professor at McGill University, as he delves into the dynamic landscape of the Canadian food industry. From food prices to consumer trends and evolving shopping habits, Dr. Charlebois will address the most significant challenges faced by Canadian consumers. This thought-provoking keynote will also explore the intricacies of the supply chain amidst an inflationist market, providing participants with a deeper understanding of current market dynamics. This engaging session promises valuable insights for anyone interested in the future of food.









  

Breaking Bread with Art Napoleon

With his engaging style Art Napoleon, Indigenous chef & host of TV series Moosemeat & Marmalade, will speak to the value of eating from the land and responsible harvesting. As one of the knowledge keepers and land stewards of his Territory in Treaty 8 BC, he will talk about the importance of connection to the land.