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.

What Does Mesa West Rotary Do?

You may ask yourself, what does Mesa West Rotary do?  Of course we provide entertaining and informative meetings each week for our members and get to know community leaders within and outside of our club, but that is only the beginning... What else do we do? 

Of course we provide entertaining and informative meetings each week for our members and get to know community leaders within and outside of our club, but that is only the beginning...

Mesa West Rotary within the last year has also completed the following projects:

• Salvation Army Holiday Turkeys;Salvation Army Bell Ringing at Bass Pro Shops (topped all Mesa Clubs last year - three years in a row - proudly going for four next year); 
• Target Back to School Program in conjunction with the Mesa Boys and Girls Club to assist kids in selecting and buying back to school clothing and supplies
• Funding and Provided Three $1,000 scholarships for Westwood High School Students;
• Promoting the Rotary Vocational Fund;
• Hosting a Youth Exchange Program Student  
• Providing Financial Support for Interact at Westwood High School
• Providing Financial Support for the Boy Scouts;
• Providing Financial Support for ASU Autism Research;Support Polio Plus - we are "this close" to eradicating Polio;  
• Support gift of Life – Arizona
• Dictionary Project for Third-Graders in Mesa
• Toiletries for US Veterans

This is only a partial list of what we do.  What else can we do with your help?  You can change the world starting in your community. 

Camp Geronimo Project 2013

Camp Geronimo is a 200 acre Boy Scout Camp located 18 miles North of Payson Arizona.  The Camp has been operational for more than 50 years and was started after a land grant of the property from Spade Ranch.  The Camp runs an average of one thousand Scouters a week during the summer and is a full Scout camping experience.  It is run by Grand Canyon BSA Council. Numerous projects are done at the camp every year and any company wanting to be involved can contact Grand Canyon Council in Arizona.   In 2011 Boy Scout Troop 451 from Mesa Trinity Baptist Church undertook an ambitious project to install a parade and flag stand at Camp Geronimo.  After installing 4 flag pole stations in May 2011, Troop 451 realized that the cost of the project to completion was beyond its means.  Realizing that the project cost approached $35,000, Troop 451 began looking for assistance.    Mesa West Rotary’s Don Labarge, a long time scout and ardent supporter of the Boy Scouts got involved in early 2012.  The project took on a life of its own, as Mesa West Rotary, Arizona District 5510, the Rotary District for Youth Services, Boy Scout Troop 451, and numerous contractors and suppliers donated time, money, and labor to complete the project.   Due to the generous contributions of many this $35,000 project was completed with grant funds and individual donations totaling almost $7,000.  The remainder of the project was completed by volunteer labor, volunteer materials supplied by local business and individuals, and the hard work of many. Mesa West Rotary would like to thank the following individuals and companies that participated in this project by providing money, materials, labor, or expertise (and in many cases, provided all four): Troop 451 Jones Concrete of Phoenix Grand Materials of Apache Junction TLW Construction of Mesa JTD’s Masonry of Mesa Don LaBarge (Mesa West and Boy Scouts) Jeff Denning (JTD’s Masonry) Ted Williams (TLW Construction and Mesa West) Mark Biegel (Troop 451)