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Serving Our Seniors at Pancake Breakfast

For the third year in a row we have hosted West U seniors at a pancake breakfast as our Valentine to them. The Decorations Committee worked on Monday afternoon then on Tuesday morning cooks and servers prepared and served the food. Pancakes, sausage, bacon, fruit, yogurt, and more were on the menu. Thanks to everyone who came out to be part of our community-centric event. It was a love fest all around.

Our guests get a chance to socialize, get a hot meal, feel our love.

The decorations committee on Monday evening. Red for Valentines Day.

Short order cooks George, Russ & Kerry

The wait staff with Judy, the initiator of this event

See the photo album for more pictures.

Super Bowl Party plus Salute to Honey

We placed our bets, ate the chow, watched the game and during halftime we saluted Honey Leveen with a vegan cake and song "For she's a jolly good fellow". Thank you, Jack and Ann Wallace, for arranging for the space and providing the paper goods, Leslie Cauffman for publicizing the event, and to all who brought food, especially Beverly Denver who got the cake that Honey would like. See you later, Honey, because saying goodbye is just too hard!

Serious fans actually watched the game.

Yes, Honey, we will miss you.

Carol & Bob win the pot for a quarter each.

Peace Conference & Gala RSVPs Due Now

District Governor Carmen Cuneo's goal of hosting a Peace Conference will become a reality next Saturday, February 9th. An impressive list of speakers is slated to talk, including Jennifer Jones whom many believe may one day be the first Rotary Int'l president. From a former mafia boss to a FBI Special Agent investigating human trafficking, to a peace negotiator, the roster of speakers is sure to inspire all.

If you have not registered yet, please do so ASAP. See info on photo below.

Later that day, the Peace Gala (aka The All Club Dinner) will be held in the same locale: the Crowne Plaza Hotel that has hosted it for many years. The club has a table reserved now. To purchase one of these seats contact President Clyde. Additional seats may also be available if needed.

Celebrating Serena's Big Event

A baby changes everything. To help her get ready, we threw a baby shower for Serena (and Corey) who are expecting Olivia Harper in February. Games, refreshments and gifts made for a fun afternoon on Saturday, January 26. We look forward to Olivia's arrival and for all the joy Serena and Corey have coming their way as new parents.

Mexican Train Dominoes v. 3.0

Mexican food and Mexican train dominoes make for a fun evening of club fellowship at the January monthly social. Thanks, Wendy and social committee, for putting together this fun event. It's got a group of regulars who really enjoy this!

YMCA Youth Programs Support Continues

For years we have supported the Weekley YMCA's after school programs and apartment outreach. On Tuesday, January 22, we got to visit some of these programs and see the actual beneficiaries. Afterward, Margarita Hernandez and Carol Gradziel presented a big check and a little check to Executive Director (and club member) Jon Kidwell.

Studies show that the most dangerous time for students to get into trouble is the time between the end of school and the time when the parent(s) get home. The Y programs fill that time gap with enrichment programs in reading, art and STEM curriculum.

L-R: Paige Fitzgerald (Y) with club members and YMCA Exec Dir (and member) Jon Kidwell at check presentation

Visiting a Pershing classroom hosting the Y afterschool kids

Pershing students had a thank you card ready for us

After school care provided at an apartment complex south of the Y (one of 4)

Supporting the Marathon Runners with Flags

Our club helps lots of people in lots of ways. One way we give moral support is by displaying our flags along the route of the Houston marathon. Runners were wowed by the sight of hundreds of flags lining University Boulevard. Thank you to everyone who came out on Saturday and Sunday, January 19 and 20, to put the flags in and out so runners would feel our support.

Tree Planting @ Willow Water Hole 2.0

For the second consecutive year our club joined with other clubs, Xavier Academy and even some Girl Scouts to install trees along the Willow Water Hole. Trees for Houston supplied the trees, some supplies and instructions and we helped with the installation. Thanks to everyone who gave up some time on a Saturday morning to come out and do or support this physically demanding work.

L-R: Clyde Hays, Terry LeFebvre, George Adams and Jane Richardson

Steven Vaughan along with son and daughter and Girl Scouts

View of some teams installing trees.

Operation Love Third Ward Says Thanks

In December, WURC, led by Frank Parrilla, partnered with The Oikos Ministries Communities' on their "Operation Love Third Ward Celebration" to provide toys and clothing for Blackshear Elementary School families.

On January 10th, Howard Thomas from The Oikos Ministries presented Frank (and the club) a Certificate of Appreciation for our help and donations. Thanks to all who participated in the event, donated toys, clothes or funds. You brightened the holidays for many children and families.

Even MORE Paul Harris Fellows Pinned

Rick Spencer has been parsing out the Paul Harris Fellow pins that have accumulated over the last few months and on Thursday, January 10, he awarded two more. Congratulations and THANK YOU to the latest PHF, Paul Cornett and Jim Dougherty. It's stunning the level of giving in our club, evidenced here, and our place as #1 in giving in the District!

Thank You Paul Harris Fellows

Rick Spencer had the happy task of awarding more Paul Harris Fellow pins at the January 3rd meeting. PHF either donate or are allocated points from donations to The Rotary Foundation at the $1000 level in a given year.

The latest batch of recipients are (as pictured) Jack Wallace, Steven Vaughan, John Thornton, Bob Owen, Jim Waters, Jack Hardin, Carol Gradziel and Bentley Sanford. Thank you all for your consistent generosity to TRF.

Club Wins Awards for Generosity

On December 20 PDG Bill Palko came to personally present awards to Past President George Adams for club generosity in 2017-18. George received 5 awards/citations. They are:

#1 Total giving to Rotary Foundation Annual Fund

#1 Per capita giving to RIF AF

#3 Total giving to Polio Plus

Presidential Citation from 2017-18 RI Prez Ian Riseley (meaning we met many requirements in many areas)

Recognition/Thank You from RI for End Polio Now giving

More awards than hands available to hold! Congrats to George and club!

Last Social of the Year 2018!

Posted by Margarita Hernandez

... and the last social of the year on Christmas Eve, our traditional Happy Hour at The Owl Bar. Great turnout, great people. Thanks again to Russell Schulze and his son for hosting our West U traditional Happy Hour.

Cecile Leads Home Repair Project

Cecile Schutter had a friend who needed some help around her property and recruited other club members to help her help her friend. Thanks to all who came out to do the hard and dirty work for Miss Carolyn.

L-R: Kevin (friend of Mike's), Mike Melton from Sharpstown Rotary, Clyde Hays, Bob Owen, Paul Ralph, AJ Karian, Cecile Schutter, Miss Carolyn (the homeowner).

Not pictured: George Adams and Brennan Reilly.

Congrats to Craig & Terry

Our club is full of superstars doing big and important work for the world, our community and Rotary. Two recent examples are Craig Friou becoming the club's latest Major Donor, meaning total contributions to Rotary to date exceed $10,000, and Terry Ziegler, who recently was selected as an Endowment/Major Gift Advisor for Rotary Region 26 (basically Texas) for 2019-2020. This will be the first time a non-Past District Governor has been selected for this role.

These guys exemplify the Rotary spirit of generosity and service.

Craig Friou, Major Donor

PDG Suzi Howe announcing Terry Z's appointment to the club. Excellent choice.

Holiday Party A Hit!

The halls and people were decked out on Tuesday night for the annual club holiday party. Thanks to Suzanne Diecks and Leslie Cauffman for organizing this wonderful party. Thanks to the Brevards for manning the check-in table. The musician and the entertainment put everyone in the mood for the holidays. See the photo album for more photos.

The Twelve Days of Christmas performed by the WURC choir!

Serena, Irene, Essi, and Martina and Peter Dorn share glad tidings.

Eight maids a milking, kinda.

UH Service Scholarship Winner Named

Every year our club selects a college student who performs an almost unbelievable amount of service even as they pursue their degree. This year's winner from the University of Houston is Lida Hedayatpour. She received a check for $3000 from our foundation to continue her studies. She models our own Rotary motto, "Service above self". Congratulations, Lida!

Thank you, Honey Leveen, for leading this effort after Clarence Miller resigned after years leading this project. And thank you to Dr. Jan Durrani, who will take over from Honey who is moving to sunny Florida next year.

L-R; Dr. Jan Durrani, Hannah Barker (UH honors college development officer), Amy Leggio, Exec Dir Development, Lida Hedayatpour (scholarship recipient), and Honey Leveen.

Human Trafficking Help For Victims

One of the ways to help victims of human trafficking is providing emergency items immediately after rescuing. Rotarians from across the district came out to A Second Cup to create "Go Bags" containing essential items for police to give to victims. Partners included Freedom Alliance Church, United Against Human Trafficking, and E.S.S.I. (Empower, Stand, Serve, Inspire). Consider joining in future projects addressing this gigantic problem located right in our home town.

Hearing the horrible facts about Houston's part in this.

Loading bags with items and encouragement.

Consider getting involved in our club's efforts by contacting Essi Kwabi.

Feeding Over 200 Families for Thanksgiving

We continue to collaborate with The Fulfillment Project of The Word Church in NW Houston. For the second year in a row, we helped provide over 200 turkeys and bags of food for families in the area. Thanks to all who came out to help.

And thanks to Nate Simon, Christine and Celestine Kwabi for their help, too!

Future Rotarians for sure!

Club Earns Top Awards

The club was recently recognized at the District Seminar for being a leader in generosity. Our club received the following awards for our 2017-2018 giving:

#1 in Total Giving to the Annual Fund of The Rotary Foundation

#1 in Per Capita Giving to the Annual Fund

#3 in Total Giving to Polio Plus

Thanks to everyone for making this possible.

L-R: President Clyde Hays, PE Stacy Brevard, Vice Pres. Gerard Simon

Welcome New Members Liz & Irene

We are pleased to welcome Liz Wilder and Irene Sadkowski to the club this week! Thanks, too, to sponsors and mentors who promote Rotary and mentor new members. Invite your friends and people you meet to one of our meetings. We can do more when we are more.

L-R: President Clyde Hays, sponsor Wendy Hiester, Liz Wilder, mentor Carol Lester, Irene Sadkowski, membership chair Stacy Brevard.

20,736 Meals in 4 Hours

Along with Rotarians from all over D5890, members helped package 20,736 meals for shipping to Colombia for Venezuelan refugees. Thanks to everyone who came out to our Rise Against Hunger event on Saturday, Oct. 27th. Thank you, Jack Wallace and Paul Ralph, for coordinating this event.

For more photos, go to Photo Albums on this site.

Focus on Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is a worldwide problem, but also a BIG problem in Houston. Our member Essi Kwabi has decided to focus on this problem by joining with United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT) and host her own event in January in support of them. On Thursday, October 25, we made a donation to Nathanial Arneson, Community Liaison with UAHT, of $1500 towards those efforts. For more info on how you can get involved email Essi at essi.kwabi@freiheitsolutions.com

L-R: President Clyde Hays, Nathaniel Arneson, Margarita Hernandez, Kimberly Phipps-Nichol, Essi Kwabi

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Celebrating 24 Years of Service to the Community and World.

2017-18 Rotary Foundation donations: #1 Total Giving, #1 Per Member Giving, #3 Giving - PolioPlus

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