April Service Brings May Purpose
 
Where do I begin?  The month of April was simply amazing in Rotary! 
 
YOU held over 60 projects all over Arizona!  Nearly 1,000 lbs. of trash were picked up in the Verde Valley, so much food was raised in Goodyear that American Furniture Warehouse is temporarily storing the excess, and schools were repaired and cleaned up in the East Valley!  Over 1,000 backpacks were filled with school supplies for Title 1 schools – pencil pouches, masks, hairbrushes, notebooks, so much more! Gardens and parks were cleaned up all over the state!  Trees were planted!  Hygiene kits were packed! Peace poles were brought to cities. The entire community in Prescott came together to raise money for local food banks! Do you know what I love?  Each one of you, each club, chose what you felt best for your local community – you found the need in this moment, and went into action!  Thank you!  Photos are on the very top of our District website.  Take a look: https://rotary5495.org/
 
My favorite voicemail this month was from Assistant Governor, Lee Holmes – Mesa.  “Elizabeth, we have a situation – the entire high school football team showed up to our project, and I need shirts!”.  How amazing is that!!!  We invited our neighbors, and we made new friends in the process.
 
You engaged ALL generations.  We had young children of Rotarians out at food drives and parks, Jr. High and High school Interact students at projects all over the state, Rotaractors in Prescott, and Rotarians through the age of….well into their 90’s.  Rotary uses the talents of all individuals.
 
Rotary Week Of Service was People of Action.  
Rotary Week of Service was Service Above Self.  
This is Rotary.
 
Sidenote: We had statewide coverage on ABC 15, Channel 3 and 5, and Telemundo.  I hope you had so much pride and happiness when you saw Rotary mentioned in your local community paper or on the news.  
 
 
The most important part though – the service.  The great work.  Can you imagine the impact that your hours of service had in just one week?  There was another great part too – friendship.  It was overwhelming in a good way to see everyone smiling and volunteering together.  Rotary is doing service with our friends.  That happened in April!  Our vision, “Together, we create lasting change…”  Together, we did our very first Rotary Week of Service in April!
 
Other April Rotary Fun:
  • We had one of our global grants approved.  Thank you, Mesa West  – anyone who gave to the Rotary Foundation – you are bringing a solar powered water to South Sudan!  Life giving water!
  • Congrats to Brianna Rodriguez – Our Interact District Governor for the 2021-2022 Rotary year.  She is such a delight and fantastic leader from Canyon View High School.  I can’t wait for you to all meet her.  
  • Congrats to all the District 5495 Rotary Leadership Academy graduates.  We had more than ever before!!!  
  • Also – remember, the District Grant application deadline is quickly approaching – May 31st, 2021.  
  • Save the Date:  July 10th – at the Wigwam.  Our first in person District event.  It’s a celebration for this Rotary year, and a great send off to our leaders for the 2021-2022 Rotary year.  I hope to see you then whether in person or on Zoom!
As always, it is such an honor to serve as your District Governor.  My heart is so full because of all of you.  I hope yours is too! Thank you!
 
Elizabeth Mahoney
District Governor (2020-2021)
Rotary District 5495
Rotary Club of Sun City