Prescott Sunup Rotarians can be justifiably proud of what we, along with the other two Rotary clubs in Prescott, have been able to accomplish in bringing the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to the quad cities area, providing free books for children 0-5 years of age, sent on a monthly basis to their homes. Initially spearheaded by David Simmer and the Sedona Rotary Clubs to bring this proven-effective early literacy program to the Verde Valley, the contributions of the three Prescott clubs, together with the matching dollars gained from an annual District Grant from The Rotary Foundation, along with a partnership with the Friends of the Prescott Library, have succeeded in providing these age-appropriate books to all of the enrolled children in our area now for several years.
According to Sue and Noel, with a book budget for 2023 of $50,000, our efforts have been expanded to now include all of Yavapai County, other than the Verde Valley, which is still being served by the Sedona and Cottonwood clubs. Additional grants from other sources are being sought, along with help from foundations, private donors, United Way and the YMCA, to enable us to expand the program as needed to handle our growing population and the larger geographic area. Basic Education and Literacy are one of the 7 Areas of Focus of Rotary and our Rotary Foundation, and there has never been a more effective literacy program devised than the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The program has been expanded to English-speaking countries worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and Canada. Thank you to Sue and Noel for this very interesting and encouraging update on what our Prescott Rotary clubs, by working together, are being able to accomplish in this critical area of developing literacy among our children here in Yavapai County.
Rotary Week of Service Tri-Club Food Drive a Success!
Report by Joe Sweeney, AG and President of the Rotary Club of Prescott
The three Clubs in the Prescott Area participated in a 2 day Food Drive at the Safeway stores in Prescott and Prescott Valley this past weekend. Safeway was very accommodating in allowing us to utilize both doors of their stores to contact Safeway store customer to ask for donations, which increased our reach. Our Rotarians worked in 2 hour shifts with other Prescott Area club members. Everyone seemed to have a great time doing this service project.
The results were fabulous as we blew the minds of the 2 local Food Banks with the quantity of cans, rice and pasta that will be distributed to those local citizens in need. The Prescott Valley Food Bank told us that we gave an equivalent of 3 months food for their shelves. We collected, from the 2 stores, over 5,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 2 1/2 tons, which was boxed up and delivered nightly to the Banks. In addition, we collected over $2,000 in cash and checks which will be split between the 2 food banks.
A big shout out goes to all the Rotarians, their family members and many Interactors that gave up their Friday and Saturday to help out. A few Rotarians even worked double shifts. The organizing committee of Mike Payson (Frontier) and Christy Manning (Sun Up) did a great job in planning and executing an almost flawless Drive. Preplanning made all the difference.
Please shop at Safeway as they were wonderful to work with again this year.
PHS Mock Interviews
Helen Wanamaker and Teresa Brittain are hosting mock interviews for graduating Prescott High School seniors on Tuesday, May 16th, from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. They have 12 interviewers so far but are in need of more people. They are seeking business and professional leaders who would like to help our seniors practice their interviewing skills. If you would be willing to spend a few hours interviewing seniors, please contact Helen Wanamaker, the PHS English Department Chairperson, helen.wanamaker@prescottschools.com.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
The Snack Shack
We continue to need volunteers for the Snack Shack! It is fun, and a great way to get to know your fellow club members better.
Snack Shack is located at Bill Vallaley Field #1 (off Washington, at the back of Yavapai College)! We're selling packaged foods, hot dogs and beverages during the Yavapai College Softball games & Little League games.
We need 2 volunteers for each shift. Bring your spouse, partner, child or friend. Contact Tim directly at twieds@prescottaz.com
See you at the ball field! For game schedules click here.
Looking Ahead
Rotary District Conference
Our annual Rotary District 5495 Conference is being held May 5-6 in downtown Phoenix at the Renaissance Hotel, located at 100 N. First Street. Besides being a lot of fun, it is the best opportunity for Rotarians to meet members from other Rotary clubs across Arizona, to learn more about how those clubs function, and to hear about some of the amazing service we are being able to accomplish together in this state and in other parts of the world. It is also a chance to hear some great speakers! If you have not yet registered for this year's conference, you can easily do that on our Rotary district's website, www.rotary5495.org.
Veterans Memorial Cleanup
This Saturday morning, beginning at 8:45, is also our annual Veterans Memorial Cleanup Project, on the west side Prescott Courthouse Square. This project is always chaired by Past Club President John Stewart. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Many hands make for light work, helping with the cleaning, repainting and gardening. Rotarian Ken Lane from Watters Nursery provides the plants for the memorial garden each year.
Double Down Casino Night Update
Let's sell tickets and get donations!
Jane Anne suggests that when people ask for donations they lead with the amazing scholarships we gave last year- $18,000 worth, and that we want to raise $35,000 this year!
Please have donors fill out the form, and get it back to us. Also- very important! Jane Anne reminded everyone that you actually have to collect the donation, in whatever form!
The donation or sponsorship isn't complete without the money or item in hand! We need 16 blackjack table sponsorships at $250 each, and three crap tables at $450 each.
Club members are being asked to bring to our Rotary meeting a nice bottle of wine, spirits or a 12-pack craft beer. We also need baskets to use help create gift baskets for the silent auction.
Club members will be going out to the other Prescott Rotary Clubs to share information about DD and sell tickets.
Club members will be selling hard copy tickets, and for the internet/Square- savvy amongst us, you can also buy tickets by going to our website and clicking on the Double Down logo.
Every club member is expected to sell 10 tickets. Get table sponsors and donations! Go now!
We need dealers for our 21 tables. Celebrity dealers and Prescott Residents encouraged.
Remember, our ability to offer scholarships is directly related to our success with Double Down. The more donors, the more money raised, the more scholarships we're able to give to deserving graduating seniors- for both college and vocational schools.
Help us support our youth!
Join us!
Anyone knows of members who might be interested in joining our program group please encourage them to get in touch with Jane Anne Shimizu. 928-636-4565 Ext. 4 or jashimizu@gunsite.com
Speaker: Dennis Gallagher, Western Heritage Update
The Prez Says
Laura Vanderberg
Hi Everyone!
I was thinking about us the other day. We tend to sit a lot during our meetings.
Well, truth be told, we probably tend to sit a lot- a lot. We know that sitting has been found to be as bad for our health as smoking! And, we all know that once we sit down, it’s harder to get up. Some muscles get overtight, others get weak, and it all makes it harder to move around.
If you sit a lot, you might find that your hips and glutes are tight and it makes getting up and down, and even walking, a little harder. It’s a real thing!
As a fitness instructor for “junior seniors”, I make sure that we incorporate stretching with our strengthening so we can continue to be mobile and able to enjoy doing those things we love doing.
Here’s a stretch I use in my classes to help with those tight muscles in the hips and glutes. The good news is- you can do it sitting!
This is a variation of a stretch called "Figure 4", where we lay on our backs and cross one ankle onto the opposite knee. By opening the knee away from you, you actually open the hip and stretch the glute.
If you’re comfortable getting on the floor, or even laying on your bed, you can try this stretch on your back.
An even more accessible version can be done in a chair. Sit on a chair, scoot a little forward, and cross your ankle of one leg onto the knee of the other.
If you can’t get that ankle up onto your knee, partially straighten the leg of the foot on the ground, and cross your other ankle on to your shin, as high as it will go. You can hold the leg in place if you need to.
From either position, let your bent knee fall open, and (without hands) pull your toes that are in the air toward their knee. Sit upright, and hinge forward from the hip. Move forward with exhales, back with inhales. This can be intense, but no pain! Resist the urge to press your knee down with your hands!
After several times back and forth, you can pause in the forward hinge and keep breathing deeply for about 6 long breaths. You should feel a stretch, but it shouldn’t be painful. If it’s painful, back off a little- less enthusiasm!
Right and left sides are typically different, so know that your range of motion may be very different – and so might your experience of the stretch!
You can do this stretch safely several times a day. Over time, you’ll find that you have better range of motion and less stiffness- better all around for moving around.
Help Spread Sunshine: If you currently know any Rotary members who are going through challenging times or if you'd like to volunteer to make calls and send cards to members and their families during sickness, hospitalization or loss, contact Laura Vanderberg <laura@newtonservicesconsulting.com>
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