Mesa West Rotary Club Pledges $10,000 to TRVFA

On Thursday, November 3rd, President John Eagleston presented Rotary District 5510 Governor Tonya Watson a pledge to for our club members to donate $10,000 to The Rotary Vocational Fund of Arizona (TRVFA).

The fund provides vocational training grants to Arizona residents who are actively working towards earning a certificate or training in nursing, auto mechanics, auto body repair, construction technology, cosmetology, medical aid, police/fire science and other vocational fields. The program does not fund community college or four-year degree programs.

To learn more about this important program. please visit trvfa.org.

TRVFA is an organization which meets Arizona’s Credit For Contributions To A Qualifying Charitable Organization requirements (formerly known as working poor credit). Donations may qualify for an Arizona Tax Credit up to $800 for couples and $400 for a single filer.

The amount donated may also be deductible as a charitable contribution for federal income tax purposes to the extent allowed by law.

Please consult your tax advisor to determine the tax benefits of your donation.

Donate to the Rotary Vocational Fund

For the third year, The Rotary Club of Mesa West is encouraging all of our members to utilize the state of Arizona tax credit for the working poor. It's simple and it benefits so, so many people.

This link takes you to the Rotary Vocational Fund website. 

Contribute what makes sense for your own tax situation – up to $800 for joint filers.

Remember this is a tax credit --- if you are paying $500-1500-3000 in state income tax, you can now direct up to $800 of your obligation to this fund and thereby help someone with a scholarship to better themselves. How cool is that?!

Welcome New Member Carole Kralicek

Mesa West Rotary Club would like to welcome our newest member Carole Kralicek. Carole owns an antique appraisal and estate sales business. She recently moved to Arizona from Minnesota where she has been in Rotary for 29 years with perfect attendance. Carole is also active with Rotary District 5510, serving as the public image chair. Welcome aboard Carole!

If you're interested in learning more about Rotary International or becoming a member,  please visit our Get Involved page and fill-out the online form. A member of the club will then contact you.

City of Mesa Make a Difference Day

Make a Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. 

On Saturday, October 25th, members and family of the Mesa West Rotary Club and  Light in the Desert Baptist Church helped make a difference by painting Robert "Daffy" Shannon's home.

The project began earlier in the week when several club members pressure washed the home to prepare it for painting.  A special thanks to Don LaBarge and Aaladin of Arizona for supplying the pressure washer. Then on Saturday morning beginning at 8:00 AM, club members finished scraping the eves and fence, hammered in nails and finalized preparations for painting. By noon, the house, fence and shed were painted. The fence and house were painted white and the trim was painted tan.

Thank you for President Elect Ed Koeneman for organizing our participation in this worthy event to help our neighbors.

Dedication of the Escalante Community Garden Chicken Coop

The Presentation of the Plaque

On Thursday, March 13, 2014, our club met at the Escalante Community Center to dedicate the newest addition to their community garden, a chicken coop, or as President Andy termed: "the Taj MaChicken." The project benefits about 24 chickens and the Escalante Community Garden which provides fresh vegetables to the local food pantry at Tempe Community Action Agency. The community center and garden is a valuable resource for the neighborhood and Thew Elementary School, located next door. For more information about the organization, please visit www.TempeAction.org.

The Builders

The chicken coop project was led by members John Benedict and community service chair Don LaBarge. Jim McGowan and Terry Diedrick also provided much needed labor and expertise to the project. The project's total cost was $2,000.

A special thanks to the staff and Chef Roy Cantu for a fantastic chicken lunch in the garden!

The Taj MaChicken

2014-15 Club Leadership at PETS

The Mesa West Rotary Club's 2014-15 officers are getting ready for their Rotary year by attending the Tri-District PETS (President-elect treasurer, and secretary) Training held March 6-8 at the Phoenix-East Mesa Hilton. Attendees include Polly Cady, Ed Koeneman, Kevin Gustafson, and Dick Myren. Our club is also well represented on the faculty by Lucinda General, Pam Cohen, Don & Chris LaBarge, and Chuck Flint.

2014-15 Club officers and directors should save the date of April 26th for the District 5510 Club Assembly. The district assembly is your opportunity to learn more about your Rotary role and to solidify the Club's goals for the new year.

November 21st Club Program: Author Betty Webb

Mystery write Betty Webb recently published her seventh Lena Jones novel, Desert Wind. She'll be joining our November 21st club program to discuss her book and other topics. Visit her web page at www.bettywebb-mystery.com.