Villages in four regions of Ghana are being equipped with ventilated pit latrines, showers, and boreholes featuring hand pumps and mechanized pipes through the efforts of dozens of Rotary clubs in Latin America, North America, and Ghana. The first phase of the partnership has focused on three countries: Ghana, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic.

The International H2O Collaboration is an example of Rotary’s dedication to water and sanitation issues, an area of focus under The Rotary Foundation’s Future Vision Plan.

In Ghana, Rotarians are working with committees in about 100 communities to change sanitation behaviors and provide training on maintaining the new equipment. The committees are responsible for establishing fees for water use and using the money collected to operate and maintain the pumps.

Rotarians interested in water and sanitation can attend a workshop on the International H2O Collaboration, moderated by Thorfinnson, on 24 May at the 2011 RI Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Water and Sanitation Rotarian Action Group will also host a fourth annual World Water Summit on 20 May at the New Orleans Marriott.

Scholarship recipients are able to renew their funds up to three times during their college career. Thus, for some students, Airport Rotary has provided scholarship monies for all four years of their college career.

Since the application procedure lacks a grade point average requirement, Airport Rotary considers and awards scholarships to special needs students. High school counselors are instructed to look for deserving students who might be overlooked by other scholarship programs that do have a grade point average requirement.

Brandi Smith of KEZI kept the crowd alive as our emcee at this year’s event. Smith and KEZI 9 NEWS kindly auctioned lunch for two at Oregon Electric Station with Smith for fun and good conversation.

Auctioneer Sid Voorhees and his assistant Diana Bray

Some other live auction items included:
• 2 Round trip tickets to Vegas including three night stay
• Weekend in Ashland
• An original painting by George Lewis
• 2 3-day passes to Newport Seafood and Wine Festival
• 18 holes at Eugene CC
• Baseball bat autographed by Boston Red Sox Hall of Famer Bobby Doerr

At this year’s auction, we had current scholarship recipient and UO junior Rachelle Cochran speak to the audience about the impact of the scholarships over the years. “The Rotary has not only helped me financially but has also shown me how much philanthropic service can touch a person’s life… it has definitely helped pave my path.”

Rachelle was interviewed by Brandi Smith, which received some airtime on the local news broadcast just prior to the auction.

Next year’s auction will surpass the $250,000 in total fund raising and it will be a milestone for our club. Considering our club has only 38 members, these are impressive totals. Airport Rotary thanks you for your continued contributions to our club and resilient efforts in serving others in our community and around the world.

This donation wouldn’t be possible without the fourth graders of Irving Elementary School and other Rotarians, who helped us reach our goal. We thank you for your tremendous and selfless service in the fight to eradicate polio.

“We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.”  -Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The fourth graders, along with their parent organizations, held a penny drive raising about $500 for our club.

Some photos from 2010 Scandi Fest…

Here’s the Downtown library schedule of events:

Family Music Time at the Downtown Library: Saturdays, 10:15 Sing and dance your way into the weekend with a rotating team of entertaining local musicians:

May 1: Bryan Reed shares songs that make learning “rock.”

May 8: Anahid Bertrand of Early Ears is fluent in musical fun — and six languages!

May 15: Carolynn and Jeff Langston, of Eugenius Music for Young and All, offer lively story-songs and rhymes.

May 29: Emily Fox plays lively banjo music.

Jungle Tales with Antonio Rocha: Sunday, May 9, 2:00, Downtown Take a wild trip into the jungles of Brazil and Africa with acclaimed storyteller and mime Antonio Rocha. Enjoy animal tales with ecological themes, illustrated by exceptionally-skilled movement and sound effects. Originally from Brazil, Rocha studied mime with Master Marcel Marceau and has performed in ten countries on five continents. In the U.S., he’s been onstage everywhere from the National Storytelling Festival to the Kennedy Center to the Smithsonian Institution. Ages 6 and up.

Family Fiesta: Saturday, May 15, 11:30 – 12:30, Downtown Join in the bilingual fun with Springfield High School’s Mariachi del Sol band. Live music, dancing, and snacks, too! All ages.

Tween Scene: Thursday, May 27, 4:00 – 5:00, Downtown Get together to talk about Savvy, by Ingrid Law. For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret: as they turn 13, they gain a supernatural power. On the last day she’s 12, Mibs finds herself on an unexpected adventure. For grades 4 – 6. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Children’s Center starting May 1.

The event will be $10 a person, which covers a ceramic bowl, refreshments, and much more fun!

Location:

Hanna Hagen’s Studio
87893 Green Hill Road, Eugene 97402

For more information about the event view the event’s invitation:

The first annual Big Boys Toys Show in Junction City will consist of concerts, such as Johnny Limbo and the Lugnuts, cars show ‘n shine, and motorcycle show ‘n shine.  The 4×4 tough truck competitions, rock crawler competitions, 4×4 and truck show ‘n shine, and RC Crawler competitions will be held in Harrisburg.  

Eugene Airport Rotary will be taking part in the festivities by serving beer at the show in Junction City. 

Look here for a schedule of the Ruckus Labor Day Weekend events.

For the past 20 years, Rotarians are responsible for sponsoring, promoting and selling 811,046 Ducks at $5 each. Since 1988, local Rotarians have raised over $4 million to combat child abuse.

2009 Rotary Duck Race proceeds will benefit the following agencies: Family Relief Nursery – Cottage Grove, Heart Gallery of Lane County, Direction Service Willamette Family Treatment, and Committed Partners for Youth.

The Great Rotary Duck Race Tickets are on sale now for $5 each at First Tech Credit Union, Jerry’s in Eugene and Springfield, Bi-Marts throughout the local area, Valley River Center, Grays Garden Centers in Eugene and Springfield, and by any local Rotarian.

For more information visit the official Rotary Duck Race website.

The event is supported by the Lane Arts Council. This month, the event is hosted by Debbie Williamson-Smith, Public Relations Coordinator at the UO’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

To learn more about the event, visit Lane Arts Council First Friday Art Walk.