Lawrence Central Rotary has our 2012 kick-off meeting at the Eldridge Hotel Wednesday 1/4 and we discussed all the exciting events we are working on for 2012. Just a few of them include:
The Journal World's Chad Lawhorn spoke to LCR Nov 30th and talked about being a
reporter in Lawrence since 1992 and the changes he's seen discussing everything from the South Lawrence Trafficway (one of his first stories) to the happenings at City Hall.
Chad says from his bio, "I mainly cover city government and neighborhoods, but I've also previously served as business editor for the Journal World, and have undertaken a variety of first-person journalism projects. In parts of 2007 and 2008, I received some national publicity for a series of articles detailing how I purchased a handgun, received a concealed carry license from the state, and carried the weapon around for a few days." Chad also writes the popular Town Talk on the LJworld.com's website.
Joan Schultz from Lawrence's Willow Domestic Violence Center came and spoke about how Willow provides safe-shelter, peer counseling, advocacy and other services to survivors of domestic violence in Douglas, Franklin, and Jefferson counties.
Founded in 1976, The Willow Domestic Violence Center was the first battered woman's shelter in Kansas. The Willow Domestic Violence Center provides over 274 women and children with shelter and services every year.
The Willow Domestic Violence Center works towards peace in the world by elimination of violence in our communities. Therefore, The Willow Domestic Violence Center is dedicated to the empowerment of women and children, the creation of peaceful safe space; the promotion of equality and respect for all people; the appreciation of difference; and the social action necessary to achieve these goals.
Joan also handed out pamphlets about how the center and also had copies of their current WISH LIST.
Local members asked her for a preview of their 2012 Red Shoe Calendar but she was pretty elusive about it… If you wish to order one you can click this link.
Lawrence Central was treated to reminiscing from KU’ Barry Hinson. He was named Director of Men’s Basketball Operations in May 2010. Prior to that appointment, he served two seasons at Kansas as the director of external relations for men’s basketball.
Prior to coming to Kansas, Hinson was the head coach at Missouri State for nine seasons. While at Missouri State, Hinson guided the Bears to eight winning seasons, with four postseason NIT teams. He also had three of the 10 best RPI ratings ever to not make the NCAA Tournament, including being left out in 2006 with a 21 RPI.
Hinson was the last coach at Missouri State to coach the team when it was known as Southwest Missouri State before it became Missouri State. Hinson finished at MSU as the fourth winningest basketball coach in school history with a 169-117 record.
He knows this will be a tough season for KU, but is looking forward to it as always. “It’s like being with a team with the 800# Gorilla of the fans and the fieldhouse behind you. It’s an amazing feeling.”
Spearheaded by club member Lynn O'Neal, Lawrence Central is now half way to our $1000 goal to purchase our first ShelterBox. ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.
ShelterBox is a global Rotary Club Project for disaster response that is as simple as it is effective. When disaster strikes these green boxes are shipped that contain the essentials a family needs to survive in the immediate aftermath of the event. Each large, green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items.
Lawrence Central has a weekly card drawing where the proceeds go to the fund. Individuals have also contributed to the fund. The goal is to have our first box paid for by the end of the year.
What's interesting about the project is that once we've made the donation to purchase the box we can track to see where it went. ShelterBox aims to connect donors directly with the people we are helping. By giving each box a unique number, and carefully recording where each one goes, donors can track their box to its final destination.
If you would like to help us toward this goal feel free to attend one of our Wednesday weekly lunch meetings or email Lynn O'Neal for more information about how to make a donation.
Here's a little more info on ShelterBox and where they are made.
1/4 and we discussed all the exciting events we are working on for 2012. Just a few of them include:
