Genesis Donation

YWCA Genesis Director Becky Studebaker spoke to the club on the operation of her agency's assisting individuals who have been victims of domestic violence and sexual assault and Genesis acting as a homeless shelter.

She stressed that money is always in short supply but that, in addition to donations, contributions of materials in-kind are always needed. She is constantly seeking out grant money, as state grants are currently at an all-time low. Drastic cuts in personnel have been necessary during recent months.

She noted that spousal abuse is behavioral in nature, brought on by generational and historical conditions.

The shelter, which serves women, children and men, is open 365 days a year. She added that on average, a woman leaves a man seven to nine times before leaving him "for good." Rotarians were invited to visit the facility and Becky thanked the club for its check contribution from the Quiz Bowl fundraiser.

A group photo taken on May 25th for Executive Shelley Rhoades' last day. WE WILL MISS YOU SHELLEY!!!!

IU East Athletics

Mark Hester, Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Coach at IU East and Kyle Wright, Sports Information Director, spoke about IU East Athletic programs and how they were doing.

In the NAI Division 2, IU East has one of the top 25 basketball teams in the state. They are the Red Wolves and are really beginning to make a name for themselves.

IU has Scholarship Athletic team programs and is looking forward to making their successful programs something for the community to be proud of. They also hope to attract fans from surrounding areas to come and spend time and money in our community.

The club signed up for a bus trip to one of the basketball games this season and we are looking forward to some great IU basketball!

Sierra Leone Trip

Jim Roselle, Melissa Owens and Beth Ann Stein spoke about their recent humanitarian trip to Sierra Leone. They were part of a group called World Hope.

The journey was partly a medical mission trip, as malaria, worms and upper respiratory infections in the country account for many deaths and are the most common maladies. Sierra Leone is a study in contrasts, consisting of great poverty and vast beauty. The roads are in need of constant repair.

One of the problems there is polygamy; another is the primitive lifestyle the inhabitants are forced to live.

A group from Eaton, Ohio has pledged to help five villages over the next five years, and this includes building bathrooms, purifying water, drilling wells, giving eye examinations, along with additional plantings, medicine and giving hearing tests.

New member SUSANNA NAVE was officially inducted into the club on April 6, 2010. Welcome Rotarian Susanna!!!