Club members learned about Tucson's Ronald McDonald House, which has grown into a 27-room facility with numerous outreach programs serving rural folks in Cochise County.

Marana Rotary Club

September 20, 2022, Weekly Meeting

President Laura Clymer called the meeting to order at 7:00 am. She thanked Denise West for providing the morning pastries which were consumed during the ten-minute social time.

Members warmly greeted John Zwick, who was making his first in-person meeting in some time. Of course, that meant that he would be immediately pressed into service by President Clymer who asked John to lead in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Laura reminded members of the upcoming reception in honor of Don Jorgensen, District Governor Elect (and who was named a 2022 recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work on behalf of ShelterBox USA) to be held at the Casa Del Sol on Saturday. She requested that members helping with the setup be there by 4:30.

Past President John Dooling complimented those who had helped (Beckie, Laura and Harold) get the pay online feature incorporated into our club web page. He stated that it was simple and fast to use.

Dan Contorno announced that he was in the process of obtaining the permits and insurance required for the upcoming Tour de Cookie. A discussion ensued about sign up links and pay on-line provisions to be added to the club web site to make it much easier for registrants and also reduce the workload on the members the morning of the event.

Laura asked that all members keep Lynne and Sulee in their thoughts as they deal with significant health issues in their lives.

Don gave an update on Shelter Box activities.

Richie has been in contact with Denise Coronado of MCAT and has relayed that Denise wants to make the “Student of the Month” celebration into a “Student of the Quarter” program.

Happy Bucks:

  • Denise was happy for our guests.
  • Peter was happy to be in Maui doing telescope work – even though there were chickens all over the place.
  • Harold was happy to have the on-line payment system up and running on the website.
  • John Zwick was happy to see everyone and to “be home.”
  • John Dooling was glad to see John Zwick.
  • Carol was happy about her grand daughter and basketball games.
  • Don thanked Denise for the pastries.
  • Randy was happy for the online payment system and for John Zwick’s 50+ years of Rotary membership.
  • Dan was happy to be rooting for his favorite sports team.
  • Carol was happy about the U of A and University of Tennessee football teams’ wins.
  • Andy, who was driving to Colorado Springs at the time, was happy about being able to attend an important gold mining conference there.
  • Laura expressed her happiness about the U of A football team win.

Laura then introduced our guest speaker, Kate Jensen, CEO of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona, who gave a 25-minute presentation on the history and current activities of RMHC of Southern Arizona.

From the first RMH in Philadelphia during1974, the concept has expanded worldwide to over 380 facilities in 45 countries, serving over 7 million children annually providing all types of family support services for children who are ill.

The local RMH is now a 27-bedroom facility in Tucson and has numerous outreach support programs including a mobile dental care unit that serves Cochise County youngsters, many of whom have never had dental care.

The organization here in Southern Arizona is a 501 (c) 3 charity and receives approximately 10% of its annual budget amount from McDonald’s corporate. The largest amount (35%) comes from annual donations made by individuals.

Among the questions answered during the Q & A was one about the age range of the children being served by the program. Kate stated that the range was from infants to age 21, with some exceptions (for instance, when someone had been on the program for years and still needed assistance after their 21st birthday).

She ended her presentation to applause from the grateful members. Laura thanked Kate for the outstanding presentation and awarded her with a coveted Marana Rotary Club cowbell.

The meeting concluded with the Rotary Four Way Test and adjourned at 8:03.

Respectfully Submitted,

Robert G. Bishop

Acting Secretary