This was truly a fabulous week for Del Sol Rotarians putting Service above Self.  One of the highlights of the week occurred on Thursday and Friday as Albuquerque area Rotary Clubs loaded and delivered a huge amount of food and supplies to the Navajo Reservation as the last chapter of the Navajo Hope Project.  Among items delivered were 250 turkeys, 400 blankets, fresh vegetables and over 1000 diapers. 22 Rotarians and other community members loaded vehicles on Thursday and 10 community members delivered the goods on Friday.  Led by Del Sol Rotarian Christine Glidden this was one of the largest Service projects undertaken by Del Sol together with other community organizations in Albuquerque.

 

Christine said there were 450 vehicles lined up on the reservation to receive the goods but unfortunately the supplies ran out after 350 cars were served.  

 

Rotarians and other Community members unloading supplies Friday at the Navaho Reservation.

 

 Airmen from Kirtland Air Force Base were very supportive throughout the project. Kudos to all involved including the Downtown Rotary Club,  Del Norte Rotary Club, CORE and Farmers Insurance which donated over 150 coats  for the last delivery.  Rotary International gave a COVID grant to help finance the project to help the Navajo Nation which has been hard hit by COVID 19.

 

KRGE featured a story lauding the project on December 3, which can be viewed on their website.

 

Delegate Mark Freeland, a Councilman from the Navajo Nation ,who has spoken at a Del Sol meeting and has coordinated with Christine throughout the Project expressed the gratitude of the Navajo Nation. He said that Rotarians were a "Blessing" to his people.  

 

On Monday, November 30 at 5:30 pm at the Satellite Meeting for All Del Sol Rotarians, Susan Jennings from the Albuquerque Kiwanis Club was the speaker. This was a continuation of the program sponsored by Satellite Co-chair Dick Wilkinson discussing what other Service Organizations are doing in the area. Susan was the 102nd President of Albuquerque Kiwanis. She said the Kiwanis has had 150000 Service Projects Worldwide. One of Kiwanis emphasis here in Albuquerque is Childhood Hunger which we know is a serious problem here.  

 

Susan Jennings of Albuquerque Kiwanis speaking at the November 30, Satellite Meeting.  

 

President Ed Robertson announced at Mondays meeting that Rotary Del Sol received an award as the Third highest contributor to the Rotary Foundation in District 5520 for the last yar.  Congrats to Past- President Dave Simon and last years RI Foundation chair Doreen Kelsey for a job well done.

 

Vitaliy Bezrodnov, speaker at the December 3 Morning meeting

 

On Thursday, December 3 at the Morning Meeting for all Del Sol Rotarians Vitaliy Bezrodnov,  spoke about the Rotary Children's Fund and its international Cultural Exchange Program GOLDEN GATES.  The Fund, which was founded by Vitaliy, "exists to promote good will and understanding between countries by funding organizations that contribute to peace, cultural understanding and appreciation through the arts."

 

The Fund finds young artists,  performers and musicians worldwide to share their Cultures through their performances and workshops. Vitaliy told us about the Golden Gates-Cultural Exchange Program, which since 2003 over 500 young people were awarded to be in 40 youth groups that traveled Internationally and shared their talent and culture with over 1,000,000 people.  It was a very inspiring and enjoyable program.

 

Also at Thursday's Meeting, Dave Seely, Rotary Del Sol Foundation President, announced that we had met our 2020 Goal to have over $1,000,000 in the Foundation Permanent And by 2020. This Goal, which was the brain child of the late Don Chalmers and the late Barry Mills,  when they were active Del Sol Rotarians has been  the  dream of every Del Sol Rotarian for years.  It has been primarily funded by the Rotary Del Sol Governors Ball.  Congrats to all the Rotarians who have worked so hard to make this happen.

 

This week there will be no Morning or Satellite Meetings of the Club. However, we will have the Ramp Building Project on December 10 for construction and December 12 for installation.  Greg Hallstrom is chairing this project.  Members can sign up on the Events Calendar on the Home Page or by contacting Service Chair Chris Van Dyck or Greg Hallstrom directly.