Welcome to our Club!

Celebrating 24 Years of Service to the Community and World.

West U

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

We meet Thursdays at 7:15 AM
Pico's Restaurant
3601 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX  77098
United States of America

Phone:
(713) 664-5566
Email:
info@westurotary.org
VenueMap
Venue Map
 
Home Page Stories
Backpacks Registration at EAC
Rotarian Frank Parrilla assisting with registration.
March 4, 2019
 
Another year Rotary Club of West U joined EAC (Emergency Aid Coalition) efforts to help with the registration of families who will receive Backpacks this coming Summer. It is always a pleasure to be there and supporting EAC's great causes. Last year, we helped distributing about 600 backpacks.  Thanks to Frank Parrilla and Margarita Hernandez. Thanks to Marian Bryant of EAC for the invitation.
Read more...
Second Servings Houston and West U Rotary Exchange Students
 
 
Here’s a picture of Caty from Denmark on our Chili Cookoff food rescue today.
 
 We rescued enough left over Chili to have close to 1,000 meals that went to Recenter and Magnificat House.  Eva from Taiwan was there too.  They both ate a lot of chili and had a great time.  They even got their face painted.  Great workers.  If not for Second Servings, this all would have been dumped.  
 
By John Thornton
 
Flag Ambassadors at 
Little League Carnival
Thank yous go out to Kerry Bloom and Rick Spencer who spent several hours on Saturday representing West U Rotary and selling flags at the annual West U Little League carnival.   Kerry gave away 10 boxes of Thin Mints to  booth visitors, making us look very sweet indeed.  Seven potential customers took info or flyers to subscribe to flags, with one woman vowing to get her entire block to subscribe!
Kerry and Rick visit with former club member Vanessa Hauser and son, William.  FYI, Vanessa is Geoff Lanceley's daughter.
Serena & Corey Welcome Baby Olivia
Congratulations go out to Serena and Corey McMullen on the birth of their daughter, Olivia Harper!   She weighed 7 pounds even and is 20 1/4" long.  It was a long journey over three days and we worried as we waited.   But all is well now and we can exhale.   We look forward to photos soon.
Kronzer messes up 1st bulletin mail-out
Sorry gang for the first bulletin mail-out  mess-up (yeah, that "WJK3 Test Bulletin" thing). Serena is on hiatus, and they called me up from the minors to handle the bulletin until she takes back bulletin duties. Okay, to use a baseball analogy, I allowed a lead-off homerun, but I'll get back in the swing of things. remember, too much complaining and it becomes your job. Wally
Visit to Community Connect
After the regular meeting last Thursday, Margarita led a small group to a site visit to Community Connect, housed at KIPP Academy in SW Houston.  Founder and former West U resident Ann Whitlock Skelly shared their mission of bringing all available resources and more to support the residents of this high-density low income community who live with constant stress from physical, emotional and financial factors.  Ameliorating bad situations before they become catastrophes can change the trajectory for the future of an entire family and for generations to come.  
 
Hearing about the work CC does for Sharpstown/Gulfton communities.
 
Partners include KIPP Texas, YMCA, St. Lukes United Methodist Church and Legacy Health.
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.
 
 
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.
 
 
 
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.
 
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!
Holidays Gift Card Drive
Posted on Dec 15, 2018
Emergency Aid Coalition and West U
Holidays Food Gift Cards Drive
 
 
About 110 families in north Houston received food gift cards on December 15 for the holidays. These families were devastated by Harvey and some of them still making repairs to their mobile homes. Happy to be there with Bentley Sanford, and Marcela Parra of EAC. Thanks to Carmen Flores and Irene Sadkowski who were calling recipients and confirming attendance.
Read more...
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.
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
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
Visiting Have Shears Will Travel
Posted by Cecile Schutter on Oct 26, 2018
After our club meeting, six members visited the Have Shears Will Travel RV at Sobriety Matters.  Pictured are Matt, the RV driver & barber for HSWT, Margarita, Oneida, stylist, AJ (Ara), Lisa and Serena.  George taking the picture and I am seated pretending to get a cut.  We talked with Matt and Oneida on what they do everyday, visiting 25 different venues each month and giving haircuts and shaves to about 500 men, women and children who cannot afford them. This is an amazing charity and the work and drive of Barbara Goodson (founder) and Matt and Oneida comes deep from the heart in Enhancing the Dignity of Every Client, because a salon is not an option for everyone.
 
Please learn more at www.haveshearswilltravel.org and while you are there, please consider a contribution to keep this wonderful charity going.
Read more...
 
Club Information
 
Connections
 
Club Executives & Directors
President
Clyde Hays
President Elect
Stacy Brevard
President Nominee
Gerard Simon
Club Secretary
Wendy Hiester
Treasurer
Jim Waters
Past President
George Adams
The Rotary Foundation Chair
Rick Spencer
Membership Committee Chair
Stacy Brevard
Director 1-Year
Suzanne Diecks
Director 3-Year
Sachin Chowdhry
Treasurer Elect
John Barnes
Director 2-Year
AJ Karian
Director 2-Year
Lisa Bunse
Director 2 Year
Terry LeFebvre
Director 1-Year
Bob Owen
Board Secretary
Paul Cornett
West U Rotary Club Foundation Chair
Greg Faldyn
Director 1-Year
Jane Richardson
Director 3-Year
Joe Rivers
Director 3-Year
Margarita Hernandez
 

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Birthdays
Member Birthdays:
  • Jack Hardin
    March 3
  • John Barnes
    March 10
  • Terry LeFebvre
    March 13
  • Frank Parrilla
    March 16
  • Craig Friou
    March 17
  • Carol Lester
    March 20
  • Davis Baker
    March 24
  • Sharon Williams
    March 24
  • Woody Lockhart
    March 25
  • Paul Cornett
    March 27
  • John Thornton
    March 28
  • Muddy McDaniel
    March 29
  • David Le Fevre
    March 31
 
Club Information
 
 
March 2019
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Speakers
Dr. Ed Nash
Mar 21, 2019
Stem Cell Therapy
Alex Johny
Mar 28, 2019
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
Sheridan Gabrisch
Apr 04, 2019
Houston Connect Community and Connect to Character
Barry Ward
Apr 11, 2019
Ted Bereswill
Apr 18, 2019
Presidential Advance
Nicole Normandin
Apr 25, 2019
Stuff The Sleigh
Alicia Lawyer
May 02, 2019
Vanessa Wyche
May 09, 2019
NASA
Patrick Lesley
May 16, 2019
Personal Safety
John Thornton - Eva and Caty
May 23, 2019
Rotary Youth Exchange: Year-End Presentations
John Thornton - Enea
May 30, 2019
Rotary Youth Exchange: Year-End Presentations
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Upcoming Events
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Photo Albums
 
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