If your reading only gets you this far, remember no meeting this week! But, do remember we have our social Thursday at the Kirby Ice house starting around 5:30 pm. And for us non-drinkers come by for a coffee or soft drink and visit, there’s no rule you have to pound down a Guinness.
On Friday, if you’ve signed up for the Second Servings Pop-up (and I believe there is still room if interested), that begins at 11:00 am at the M.D Anderson YMCA. Also, on that same day is the Celebration of Life for Jack Hardin, a West U Rotary member who passed away in August, at 2 pm at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church.
A couple of updates from last week concerning the world of Global Grant Scholars. Thank you, Clarence Miller for advising us of a prior West U Global Grant Scholar back in 2016/2017. John LaChappelle, who spoke at our most recent Rotary After Hours meeting, is at least our second scholar! For those of you with questions about this program or may know folks who are interested, please reach out to Past President Wally Kronzer. (Ok, I know I said Sharon Williams last week, but now it’s Wally!!) He is the go to guy for this program.
Lots of socializing in the future, too. This invitation came from Assistant Governor Nicole Wycislo and is a Multi Club Social that we’re all invited to at Los Tios, 5161 San Felipe on October 20. More details to follow.
Keep taking those iron pills and eating liver because we have a blood drive coming up October 1st. Our man Ralph Cox, who by the way is doing an outstanding job as Chair of the Community Service Committee, has details posted below this newsletter. Please sign up!
One other casual get together occurs on the Thursday mornings we don't have a regular meeting. Past President Terry Ziegler meets at Le Peep on Westheimer at 7am. It’s fun and informative. No agenda-just chat.
A BIG check for Emergency Aid Coalition and a great talk on breast checks from The Rose. Both fantastic organizations doing important work here in Houston and the surrounding areas. Thanks also to Ralph for the Blood Drive work.
In case you noticed a few Rotarians missing at last week's meeting, DGN Wayne Beaumier and Terry Ziegler were indeed in Cancun for the Rotary Zone 29 and 25b trainings and meetings.
Wayne shared this pic with Rotary Zone Director Tom Gump (to Wayne's L) as they gathered during training.
Terry will have Polio updates for us soon as well.
Pre-announcement reminder- the Celebration of Life for Jack Hardin will be at 2:00 pm this Friday, September 25, 2026, at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church at 1900 Bering Drive, Houston Texas 77057!
The West U Rotary Club Foundation would like to honor the memory of our friend Jack Hardin, a long-time committed Rotarian and former president of the Foundation. We hope to fund this memorial gift through donations from club members and other individuals who may also wish to honor Jack.
After speaking with Janice about the causes Jack was most passionate about, we determined that a scholarship for a community college student would be appropriate. As of this time, the Board has not voted on a particular scholarship or school. That will be decided once we can determine the funding available.
Should you wish to contribute to honoring Jack's memory, you may send a check to The West U Rotary Club Foundation at P.O. Box 272727, Houston, TX 77277, or contribute via Zelle using foundation@westurotary.org. If you would prefer giving cash or have any questions about how to donate, please contact Sharon Williams at sw324houston@gmail.com or Foundation Treasurer Cathy Graber at cwmgraber@gmail.com.
On Friday, September 25th from 11:00am - 2:00 pm, WURC will be volunteering to staff a pop up grocery for Second Servings. Please see the attached flier for details and how to register for the event.
For those attending Jack Hardin's celebration of life, you can leave the pop up at any time needed
Thanks to those who have signed up for the blood drive. We can still use some more donors! If you've never donated before, this is you oppprtunity to give it a try! It's safe, easy and helps save lives. The Blood Center needs 1000 donations per day to meet demand! Please invite family and friends to participate.
Our next Rotary Blood Drive is scheduled for Thursday, October 1st from 6:30 - 10:00 am in the Skeeter's parking lot. As a thank you gift for your donation you will receive a coupon for a free pint at Saint Arnold, a warm cozy blanket and a free cholesterol test.
See the below flier for how to sign up, or just send Ralph a text to 713-979-6179 to get you signed up.
This year, we will be celebrating World Polio Day on Saturday, October 24 by Walking The Walk. Rotarians and their families and friends from all over our District will be walking from the Galleria (Dillard's parking lot, 4925 Westheimer) to the Waterwall Park (roundtrip distance one mile) in support of our END POLIO NOW effort. Meeting time is 9:30 AM.
Each Rotarian is asked to donate $100+ to Rotary's Polio Fund between now and 10/24/26 to participate in the walk. Please donate even if you are unable to participate in the walk. And please donate more than $100 if you are able as the Gates Foundation will be matching our Polio donations with $2 for each $1 we donate again this year!
Our club is making your Polio donation extra easy this year. Just make your $25 Rotary Foundation donation as usual with your upcoming West U Rotary Club dues invoice and it will go to the Polio Fund and will be matched by our club Foundation. Or you can increase your dues invoice donation to $50 and have that matched for a total of $100. You are also welcome to donate by logging on to your account at MyRotary.org. Just click on the Donate tab at the top and specify that this donation is for Polio. You can always also give me a check (made to The Rotary Foundation) or cash and I'll send it in for you.
One last match - if you donate between $100 and $500, your donation will be matched with Rotary Foundation Recognition points to make you a Paul Harris Fellow or next level PHF sooner. The points match does not apply if you are already a Major Donor.
Please wear your End Polio or Rotary shirt to the Walk if you have one. Terry Ziegler, Rotary Regional END POLIO NOW Coordinator, will give you an END POLIO NOW shirt (X-tra large size only) to wear if you need one for the walk.
