District Governor Bret McKeand (left) visited the club on Nov. 30 and gave kudos to the club for 100 percent member participation in giving during 2021. Award flags were presented to Club President Linda Clark (2nd left), Dick Youngberg, International Services Committee Chair, and Jean Barton, on behalf of Past President Al Barton. Member giving through Every Rotarian Every Year impacts Rotary International projects such as Rotary's Polio Fund and water projects around the globe including the Navajo Water Project in Arizona. During McKeand's visit, the club presented him with a $500 donation to Rotary's Polio Fund, a project dear to him. He thanked the club for its support and all the work it does in the Sedona community and globally.
Club to help with Sedona Arts Center's first event of the year
The public is invited to attend Sedona Arts Center's first block party of the year! The Feb. 2 event features Vision & Sound: An African American Experience exhibition, the Ratio Band performing outdoors, along with food trucks and demo artists. Participants can view the exhibition and purchase work in the gallery. Wine and beer for sale. Look for the club's membership table and learn how you can become a Rotarian. The event runs 4 to 6 p.m.
Rotary's Mexico/USA Friendship Conference
The Mexico USA Friendship Conference and Global Grants Exchange was started in 2000 between Rotary districts in Arizona and Mexico. The conference focuses on friendship between members in both countries and inspires clubs to partner in international global grant projects. The conference has produced global grant projects in every area of focus. Millions of dollars from the Rotary Foundation have been employed in high impact projects that have been implemented in Mexico, the USA and all over the world. Rotary Club of Sedona has partnered three times with its sister club, Club Rotario Boca del Rio Costa de Oro, in Vera Cruz, which helped support three childhood literacy projects, establishing nearly 24 elementary school libraries in Mexico. We currently have one active project supporting a physical rehab clinic in Mexico. Club Rotario Boca del Rio Costa de Oro has also supported the club's Navajo Water Project (pictured left). Club members can register for this virtual three-day event, Feb. 3-6, at https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=e217f043-04c3-440d-9149-06193751d54d.
Don't Miss Blazin' for Books Fundraiser
Don't miss the Feb. 6 fundraiser for Verde Valley Imagination Library, 4 to 7:30 p.m. at Blazin' M Ranch, 1875 Mabery Ranch Road, Cottonwood. The event features a chuckwagon dinner, auction, raffle, and entertainment. Proceeds to benefit books for children birth to age 5. Tickets are $60 per person. For tickets, more information, or to donate go to https://www.vvilbooks.com/blazin VVIL has over 2,000 children enrolled to receive books. The program serves Camp Verde, Clarkdale, Cornville, Cottonwood, Jerome, Lake Montezuma, McGuireville, Rimrock, Sedona, Verde Village and the Village of Oak Creek.
People in the News
During DG Bret McKeand's visit, he and the club presented Rotarian Ray Harris with a Community Service Champion award. Ray serves on the club's Community Services Committee and coordinates community dinners at St. Andrews, annual Adopt-a-Family, and other club activities. Congratulations Ray!!
Shawn Harris, son of Ray and Peggy Harris, just received a Caldecott Honor for his children's book: “Have You Ever Seen a Flower?” Harris both illustrated and wrote the book published by Chronicle Books. The book is called a beautiful exploration of perception, the environment, and humanity. Ray recently donated a copy of the book to Sedona Public Library. The beautiful book can be purchased on Amazon.com. You can go to Amazon Smile, pick Rotary Club of Sedona as your charity and when you shop on Amazon a portion of your purchase will go to the club. Go here to sign up https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/homepage?orig=Lw==
Dates to Remember
Feb. 2--Sedona Arts Center, "Celebrate Sedona" event. Vision & Sound: An African American Experience exhibition, music, food truck, wine & beer, 4 to 6 p.m.
