June Foundation Greeting from Michelle Bell
As I write my final greeting for the Foundation First newsletter, it isn’t exactly the message I planned on sending. Instead I’d like to express my gratitude to all the Rotarians in District 
5970. You have been a pleasure to serve in my role as the District 5970 Foundation Committee Chair. You have shared wonderful stories and experiences with me. Many of you have become friends and have provided support and encouragement.
Your support was evident once again when we experienced an electrical house fire during the last week of May. My family is all safe, but we ask for your prayers as one of our kitties strugles to regain her strength.
I cannot thank you enough for the kind words, the prayers and the elbow grease of a few to help save as much of my craft room as could be saved. There were tears in my eyes as I found a wet picture from PDG Roger Kueter’s District Conference, a certificate of appreciation from Princess Victoria’s Rehabilitation Center in Brazil and other memories of the nearly a decade I have been a Rotarian.
You have given to me just as you have given to The Rotary Foundation, with your time and treasures. I know you will continue to give from the heart to make a difference in the world.
I look forward to continuing to serve you as District Governor-Elect this coming Rotary year.
God bless you all,
Michelle
Webinar training required for Global Grant applications
District Global Grants Chair Rebecca Schultz is offering two training sessions for Global Grants. Training is required for:
Training will be offered via computer, tablet or smartphone or by phone dial-in. Register for one of the following dates.
June 13, 7 p.m.
http://district5970.org/event/global-grant-training/
If you are unsure whether you should attend, please contact Rebecca at schultz.rotary5970@gmail.com.
CR West Rotarians focus on service supporting education
The Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club lives out its motto of “Service Supporting Education” through its relationship with Van Buren elementary School, located on the west side of Cedar Rapids.
During the 2017-18 year, the club contributed $5,000 and used a $2,500 District Grant to replace damaged tables and chairs in the Van Buren School Library. Total cost of the project was $9,133.60 for the six large wooden tables and 40 wooden chairs built by Iowa Prison Industries. The Van Buren Parent Teacher Organization provided the remaining $1,633.60 for the purch
ase.
CR West Rotarians and Van Buren students display a new library table and chairs. A district grant
assisted with
the project
The club used proceeds from its pancake breakfast for the library project and used additional funds to purchase new books for the library, particularly multiple copies of high-interest books. Cedar Rapids West Rotary Club honored its guest speakers throughout the year by donating a book in their name to the library.
A total of 445 students and 63 school staff members benefited from the project, which involved 59 Rotarians. In addition to the library project, the club is involved with other projects at the school.
Rotarians serve as reading buddies. They collect Box Tops for Education, HyVee receipts and used printer cartridges for purchase of school supplies and tabulate the HyVee receipt totals for the school. Club members volunteer as readers in the school’s annual America Reads event and devoted a club meeting this year to helping Van Buren teachers prepare classroom materials.
The library project was featured on KCRG TV9’s “Show You Care” TV commercial/public service announcement. KZIA radio chose the project as a Z Cause” initiative and ran an interview with a club board member describing the project and Rotary’s mission of service.
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