|
|
|
|
|
Posted by Bobbi Shell
on Oct 28, 2014
|
 Christmas is just around the corner!! Help make it a joyous occasion for local children.
|
Highland Lakes Christmas for Kids, Inc. hosts its 24th annual toy drive. Each year the organization helps bring Christmas joy to approximately 300 local families and 750 children by providing gifts that are appropriate for each child considering their age, gender, and what’s on their Wish List.
The board members go shopping each year, with funds raised entirely through local donations and support. Each year local groups, including the Boy Scouts, the National Honor Society, and many local church members, volunteer to help; however, the more the merrier! Volunteers are needed to help sort, package, and distribute the gifts to the families.
This year, Highland Lakes Christmas for Kids, Inc. needs your help on December 19 and December 20 at the Marble Falls Middle School to help in this endeavor. If you can’t volunteer those days, you can still help out by donating funds or toys. Funds can be sent to Highland Lakes Christmas for Kids, Inc., P.O. Box 1750, Marble Falls, Texas 78654 and toys can be dropped off at the “Marble Falls Walkway of Lights.”
For more information, please contact Robben Thompson at (830)693-4512 or Chrystal Whiteside at (830)385-8934 or Chrystallea@yahoo.com. Help make this Christmas memorable for a Marble Falls family!
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 21, 2014
|
 Falls Career High School Principal Peggy Little knocks the ball out of the park, again. Ms. Little gave us an update on activities at Falls and told Daybreak Rotarians all about the new 9th Grade Academy at Falls.
|
In her classic style fueled by seemingly endless imagination and energy, Principal Peggy Little has created an innovative "Academy" at the Falls Career High School to boost entering Freshmen. Many students exit the 8th grade without full mastery of core subjects. Peggy's 9th Grade Academy is designed to bring them up to speed in the core subject matter in order to ensure success in the 9th grade. Eighth grade students were specially screened and 10 were chosen for this ground-breaking opportunity.
"Failure is not an option" said Ms. Little in talking about the hard work these students are undertaking. At the first reporting period all are doing well and in addition to scholastics they also do yoga exercises twice weekly. All boys, some of the Academy class are playing football -- a testament to their efforts in light of the "no pass, no play" rules.
The Academy students are becoming as focused and goal-oriented as is Peggy Little, and as a result they are enjoying success that they have not previously known. All of the Academy students are passing all core courses at this time. Their success is a testament to the combination of their effort, the special attention given by dedicated teachers and counselors, and the platform made possible by this unique program. Falls and its "energizer bunny" principal are truly living into their motto of "Lighting [the students'] Way to a Successful Tomorrow!"
In other news from Falls, Peggy reported that of the several scholarships given to Falls by Daybreak Rotary one student has started culinary school in the summer and another is starting at CTC at mid-term. Many of the Falls students will be assisting Daybreak on Adoption Day and in the "Old Jail Renovation" project. The community activities are required as part of their participation in Falls and Daybreak is pleased to continue its partnership with Falls.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 21, 2014
|
 Burnet County Deputy Ricky Bindseil: volunteer first, member second.
|
|
This morning Ricky became (at least for an instant) the newest Rotarian in the entire world. But he first was a volunteer along with his wife Missy. At the Spring 2014 "Foster Family Fun Fest" they donated their time, equipment and DJ/announcing talents to help entertain a large group of foster children.
Now as a member of Daybreak Rotary Ricky looks forward to increasing his involvement.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 14, 2014
|
 Foster care can lead to the adoption of children needing a good family.
|
Brad shared his experiences with the fostering and adoption system. Brad and his wife, Nyla have lived in Marble Falls since 2001. Both are Occupational Therapists, graduates of Colorado State University and have been in practice for 16 yrs.
Nyla moved to Texas from Iowa when she was 10 and Brad is originally from Green Bay, WI. Brad started out in pediatrics and worked in the Burnet School District from 2001-2010. After children, Brad switched to geriatrics and now practices home health full time. Nyla works in pediatrics, currently at an amazing hippo (horse) therapy ranch in Dripping Springs.
Between 2005-2007 Bran and Nyla started a family and went from NO children to FOUR children. They became foster adopt parents and adopted two girls in fall of 2006. Their family now includes two biological sons and two adopted daughters, ages 7-12. They are strong advocates for the foster care to adoption path to adopt children who need a good home.
The experience of Brad and Nyla highlights the current project of Daybreak Rotary to help increase the number of foster homes in the Burnet/Llano county area and to raise awareness of adoption. Daybreak will host the 2nd annual Adoption Day at the Burnet County courthouse on November 15.
Brad is also an ultra runner and race director. He and Nyla organize six trail and road races in the hill country. They are nearing the 10 year anniversary of the Capt'n Karl's Trail Series, which was started in honor of Nyla's father Karl, as he was battling lung cancer. www.runthehillcountry.com.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 04, 2014
|
 The story behind Rotary's determination to end a cruel disease. From the January, 2014 issue of "the Rotarian." Story by Peter Ross Range.
|
New Rotarians, including some who were born AFTER the Polio Plus saga began, probably don't know just how or why Rotary got involved. We "mature" Rotarians emphasize the importance of the Foundation to the work of Rotary International, and we always talk about Polio Plus, but how did all of this get started?
Why indeed, did Rotary take on a project that, from the seed of an idea in April of 1979 -- having now consumed just over 35 years of energy by Rotarians, citizens across the world, Governments in countries that won't speak to one another, and the World Health Organization -- is just now in the throes of defeat? This article explains it all and makes it clear that we must continue the fight.
It is important to think about the Rotary Foundation when contemplating what the end of polio will mean. My generation (baby boomer'ish) grew up with polio. We all had friends afflicted, some knew people who were terribly crippled by it, or died. We knew about iron lungs, leg braces and crutches. Until Rotary tackled this, children around the world still suffered from polio after it was vanquished from North America and from the daily lexicon. Had the Foundation not been there it all its financial might, and had Rotary not had the worldwide influence and energy which became so evident, eliminating polio might never even have become a dream in RI President Clem Renouf's mind.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Sep 23, 2014
|
 Libraries of Love adds literacy to Uganda with over 15,000 volunteer hours annually. |
This year the efforts of Trudy Marshall and her "library lunatics" added five new libraries, two in secondary schools and three in primary schools. Libraries of Love (LOL) now has 34 libraries and continues to grow. I asked Trudy about the ability to continue to grow with the spectre of maintenance of the existing libraries looming in the background.
Trudy acknowledged that this would require some change of focus. and that next year would see two secondary and only one primary library added. LOL's effort is to soon restock 11 existing libraries at about 500 books each.
These libraries are valuable resources to the children of Uganda, many of whom would otherwise remain illiterate or at best, only semi-literate. In dollars, each library is worth about $40,000. In terms of literacy, priceless.
The Library volunteers do more than just build and stock libraries. Thirty-six children were sponsored this year by LOL volunteers providing for their school tuition. Uganda does not have public education the way we in the U.S. think of it and the children are required to pay tuition which, although modest in our terms, is impossible for many.
One might ask "how did all of this get started to bring us to a library project every year since 2005?"
Trudy is the answer.  Here is the story, taken from the LOL page:
If you can arrange a mud hut in which I can stay, I’ll go to Uganda,” was the email I sent to Rev. Robert Johnson, my former pastor.
Robert emailed me back that he had arranged it and jokingly said the owner’s wife would probably even let me milk their cow. I have traveled extensively in various parts of the world, but that email was the beginning of a trip that would not only change my life, but the lives of many people here and in Uganda.
My goal as I prepared to go in 2001 was to stay in Ugandan homes, since I wanted to truly experience the African culture.
Three Ugandans who were living in Austin very generously arranged places for me to stay and visit in Kampala, the capital city. The kindness of the families I spent time with, as well as many other Ugandans, still touches my heart. When people who have very little are generous and welcome you into their homes, it changes your outlook on life.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Bobbi Shell
on Sep 05, 2014
|
 Christopher Scott was sentenced to life in prison for Capital Murder when he was just 26-years-old. After spending 15 years in prison, he was exonerated.
|
.jpg) Christopher Scott was arrested for Capital Murder when he was just 26-years-old. The prosecutor's office had no physical evidence pointing to Mr. Scott, merely a distraught eye-witness who picked Mr. Scott out of a poorly executed line-up. Despite the lack evidence, the jury convicted Mr. Scott and he was sentenced to life in prison, leaving behind his girlfriend and two small children.
After 15 years of writing letters to anyone he thought could help him, Mr. Scott was finally given a court-appointed attorney, Michelle Moore, to examine his case. Ms. Moore was able to bring to light a piece of evidence, a written confession by another man, that indicated Mr. Scott was not guilty. After spending 15 years in prison, the truth was out and Mr. Scott was finally a free man. Now, Mr. Scott owns a men's clothing store in Cedar Hill Texas and he has started a program, House of Renewed Hope, that is dedicated to providing assistance to men and women who have been wrongfully convicted.
Specifically, the members of the organization volunteer their time to help investigate claims of innocence made by incarcerated individuals in Texas. Individuals who are exonerated are released from prison with only the clothes on their backs. They are not given any money, clothing, or even a toothbrush. Often the individuals have been wrongfully incarcerated for so long that they do not even have family or friends left to contact for help. Mr. Scott and many his fellow exonerees assist these individuals by providing bare essentials that most of us take for granted.
Mr. Scott has also been instrumental in trying to prevent further men and women from being wrongfully convicted. He has addressed both the Texas House of Representatives and Texas Senate. Mr. Scott, personally and through his organization, seeks to make a difference within the justice system and to prevent innocent individuals from suffering the extreme injustice that was imposed on him. To find out more information on Christopher Scott or the House of Renewed Hope, visit www.HouseofRenewedHope.org
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Kirk Noaker
on Aug 18, 2014
|
 A pair of unlikely shooters serendipitously joined the 2014 edition of the Daybreak Rotary shooting event.
|
|
When one thinks of a tactical pistol course and skeet & trap shooting, the images of experienced marksmen wearing tactical shooting vests, ammunition belts, and camouflage “anything” comes to mind. However, that wasn’t completely the case during this past weekend’s Marble Falls “Daybreak” Rotary Club fundraiser shooting event. Oh sure, there were plenty of experienced gun shooters who partook in the day-long shooting competition, but there was also a couple of unexpected and unassuming visitors who asked to participate.
Robert Hureau (San Antonio) and his daughter Caitlin (Providence, RI) were enjoying a weekend at the lavish Horseshoe Bay Resort near Marble Falls, riding jet skis and enjoying first class accommodations when Caitlin asked to do something that was a little out of the ordinary. She wanted to shoot a gun. It’s not that shooting guns is unusual, but in this family, neither Robert nor Caitlin had ever fired a weapon. Robert researched local shooting clubs and identified Copperhead Creek Shooting Club located in Hidden Falls Adventure Park (Marble Falls). Of course, Copperhead Creek is the host for our annual fundraiser.
After a short drive from Horseshoe Bay, Robert and Caitlin arrived eager to experience all that the shooting club could offer. Neither one had a gun though, nor were they familiar with the required safety items that go along with shooting guns. Each was outfitted with the necessary gear and a couple of the guns were provided by participating Rotarians.
 After a weapons safety brief and some shooting fundamentals guidance, both Robert and Caitlin started their day off at the tactical pistol course. They began with some static target shooting. Caitlin remarked that it’s “ kinda” what she expected. Rotarian Amanda Fancher assisted Caitlin on the course with Rotarian Kirk Noaker -- former law enforcement officer -- providing instruction as well.
 For first time shooters, Robert & Caitlin were remarkable in hitting their respective targets most of the time.  At one point, Robert felt so comfortable that he wanted to run through the tactical course. With close guidance, Robert successfully completed the course, striking all of the targets.
After the tactical pistol course, both Robert and Caitlin moved over to the Skeet and Trap courses where they handily wielded a “loaner” Mossberg 12 gauge shotgun.
 Caitlin, weighing maybe 100 pounds absorbed the “ kick” of the shotgun quite well, occasionally hitting the flying clay disks. Robert fared a bit better, hitting about half of the simulated flying pigeons. Both Robert and Caitlin enjoyed shooting the shotgun more, but acknowledged that skeet & trap shooting was hard.
Rotary Clubs throughout the world strive to make this planet of ours a better place to live. Sometimes, the fundraising efforts and moreover, the fundraising successes, won’t be seen for months or even years. But on this day, this father & daughter “team” experienced the joys of shooting guns together, for the first time. Both expressed that they had a “blast” and each suggested that they would love to do this again. Who knows? Maybe a new hobby has been identified, a new hobby to be enjoyed by both. This of course is what parents all across this great country of ours seek, an activity to be shared with our children. Well done Robert & Caitlin, well done! Mission accomplished by them and hopefully Rotary made a couple of new friends ....
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Aug 05, 2014
|
 Galyn Woerner, Camp Agape's Camp Director explained how Camp Agape helps children in the bereavement process. |
|
Explaining the intricate mixture of fun, group therapy, counseling, singing and other activities at the Camp, Galyn made clear the benefit of the bereavement camp.
Camp Agape enjoyed a new venue for the 2014 camp 
that accommodated the large number of different activities  such as making memory boxes. The camp was held this year at the Glen Lake Camp and Retreat Center in Glen Rose and expects to return there next year, according to Woerner.
Pulling off camp requires approximately a 3:1 ratio of adults to children who are ages 7 to 12. Special assistance comes from a cadre of "high school helpers," a group of truly special high school students who are constantly working in the background.
Children who have lost a parent, sibling or other person close to them are eligible to attend the 4-day camp without charge. Relying almost totally on volunteers and donations, Woerner is the only paid employee. A 5k run is being held on November 15 this year as a fund-raiser for Camp Agape in preparation for next year's crop of grieving children who will begin to learn to deal with bereavement.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 02, 2014
|
|
The Marble Falls Jail -- historical -- will be beautified |
|
Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary in conjunction with the Falls Career High School of MFISD will be beautifying the old jail on 2nd street, just across from the Chamber of Commerce. It has already had a good cleanup with the plan is to do a major planting of hardy, native plants to dress up that part of our town. A plan has been drawn by Bill Bradshaw, Emeritus Landscape Architect and is in the works.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Mar 19, 2014
|
|
The first annual (and first ever anywhere) picnic event for foster families has begun. |
|
Daybreak's innovative (repeat) President Eddie Arredondo has added to Daybreak's increasing role to recruit and assist foster children in the Highland Lakes area. Building on the successful Adoption Day last November, Daybreak is now hosting a Foster Family Fun Fest which will provide a day's entertainment for area foster families out at the Hidden Falls Adventure Park, courtesy of Daybreak Rotarians Brooks and Marian Blake (both former presidents of Daybreak). As is typical for Daybreak, this will be an all-hands-on-deck event as we host up to 200+ people on a Saturday. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Jun 10, 2014
|
|
Falls recognized the partnership with a beautiful plaque at graduation.
|
|
On Friday, June 6, Jim and Barbara Warden together with Jennifer and myself attended the graduation ceremonies for Marble Falls Career High School where we presented three scholarships of $1,000 each. Other organizations also awarded scholarships to some of the 36 graduates.
What we did not expect was to receive recognition by way of a beautiful plaque given to Daybreak. The plaque was presented to the Club on June 10.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
|
|
From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. |
The 4-Way Test
From the earliest days of the organization, Rotarians were concerned with promoting high ethical standards in their professional lives. One of the world's most widely printed and quoted statements of business ethics is The 4-Way Test, which was created in 1932 by Rotarian Herbert J. Taylor (who later served as RI president) when he was asked to take charge of a company that was facing bankruptcy. This 24-word test for employees to follow in their business and professional lives became the guide for sales, production, advertising, and all relations with dealers and customers, and the survival of the company is credited to this simple philosophy. Adopted by Rotary in 1943, The 4-Way Test has been translated into more than a hundred languages and published in thousands of ways. It asks the following four questions:
"Of the things we think, say or do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?" |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Posted by Gil Jones
on Dec 25, 2012
|
 Each Christmas season Daybreak Rotary along with the other two area Rotary Clubs helps in the bell-ringing for the Salvation Army. We hear grateful stories which we now share with you. |
|
While the current bell-ringing raises the entire budget for the local Salvation Army effort and is appreciated by them, many people have stories from years and decades past where the Army helped them or a loved one. Heart strings are tugged. Additions to the stories below will be forth-coming. The quoted material is the person's story as recalled by the Rotarian ringing the bells.
- Giver: "My brother came back from WW2 and made it to the U.S. but we did not know where he was. The Red Cross would not help us, but the Salvation Army did. They looked for him for months." Rotarian: "Did they find him ok?" Giver: "No, but they tried. They tried hard." -- as told by Gil Jones
- I had a lady stop her car in front of the bell ringing , holding up traffic, and pulled her ash tray out full of change to give to Salvation Army. Kinda cool. Another stopped, wrote out a check and came running up to deposit. Fun to see. -- Dick Nicholson
-
My job tends to lead me to dealing with the tougher side of people; I had no idea what to expect.
I’m a numbers guy and naturally had to see my score at the end. During my 2 hour ringing I made about $200; I’ll take $100/hour any day. This included 2 - $10’s, 13- $5’s and then a large pile of singles and change that I didn’t expect. Multiple people thanked me for even being there. A father stopped with his two young sons and described how the Salvation Army had saved his life when he was orphaned at a very young age, making their lives possible. It was truly amazing.
Looking back at Christmas 2012, this was when I felt the spirit of giving and genuine human desire to help one another selflessly. Thank you for allowing me to be involved; it helped me quite a bit also to see the power of giving.
This was something I had thought would drag down my day; it was the true bright spot instead.
This was something I expected to add to my stress; it got my mind off of my problems completely and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
This was something I expected to endure; it instead strengthened me.
Those people gave me more than $200 for the Salvation Army.
-- from Whit Holcomb
- An older gentleman with the gait of a much younger man came up to me and, as he was making his donation to the kettle, he told me that the Salvation Army was the only organization that he gives money to. He explained now that he was on social security he he had to watch his pennies. However he could not pass up a Salvation Army kettle with out giving all the money he had in his pockets to help out.
He said that the worst time in his life was as a young man in World War 2 where he served in the European Theatre. While he was there, the only time that any one gave him anything was when the Salvation Army gave him hot coffee, a free doughnut, and a warm smile. Even today he hasn't forgotten the Salvation Army's outreach, and he continues to give back what he can.
-- shared by Jim Warden
- Hill Country folks sure are generous, and especially around Christmas. We're not born knowing how to give, though, and it takes some patient training from those who love us to develop that compassion for others. I saw this in action as I rang the bell this year. A little boy about six proudly walked over to the kettle to deposit the money his mother had tucked into his hand. She watched thoughtfully, and said "Son, what's in your wallet?" He looked over in surprise and said "my money." She said, "put in the bucket." With a shocked look, he stated "it's MY money!" She directed him, "put it in - all of it."
He did so, a LOT more slowly than he'd deposited the first donation, and with a rather troubled look on his face. His mother smiled and said, "Son, your gift will be returned to you with so many blessings - many more than you gave." I could see the doubt in his eyes, but I knew her lesson was heard and would prove true. I felt a big lump in my throat, hearing that reminder, so well taught that afternoon in front of Wal-Mart.
-- an experience by Barbara Warden
- A WW2 vet walked over to the bucket & emptied every pocket, including his jacket. He explained that he never passed up a Salvation Army bucket because they were the only ones who cared & went all the way. I asked what he meant.
He explained that he was in WW2 as a young man, fighting in France after the invasion. His unit had just taken a small village from the Germans, but the Germans retreated all around the village. They were "sort of" under siege surrounded by the German troops they just ousted. The Germans didn't attack, but just kept them in the town. They soon found out why, as food, water, shelter & clothing were scarce. All they could do was wait for reinforcements.
The few locals remaining told them that red cross was nearby, but refused to come in, stating it was too dangerous & not a great enough need in the village.
A few days later the salvation army showed up in town, with food, water & most of all, dry boots & socks for everyone. He never forgot. They never asked for "thanks" & refused even the smallest token of appreciation. He gives his "thank you" in every red bucket he sees, every year.
-- Wow. What a story as related by Allan
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
were in the .jpg)