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Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 31, 2015
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 Chess Long and several students from MFISD's Falls Career High School gave Daybreakers a great rundown of the unique features of Falls. |
 Chess (far left) is in charge of student services at Falls and is shown here with several students, current and graduate. Rotarian and Past District Governor Barbara Warden (far right) arranged the program. Chess gave us a clear understanding of what Falls is, and is not. Foremost, Falls is not the "discipline" campus, a point which was made by the stories of some of the students.
One of them was new to the campus and sought the ability to set her own pace and graduate early. The instructional material is computer-based with teachers available for assistance and additional instruction as needed. While a minimum pace is set, the student can move forward at a greater pace which appeals to many students over the traditional classroom format. Two of the students found themselves parents at an early age and has used the flexible format of Falls to finish their education and obtain their diplomas while fulfilling their parental responsibilities.
Daybreak and Falls have a special relationship of mutual support. The Club involves the students in its community and fund-raising activities which provides a great venue for the students to fulfill their community service obligations and learn Service Above Self through hands-on experiences. 
One of the biggest joint projects was the renovation of the landscaping at the old Marble Falls city jail on Second Street. Their next project with us is Adoption Day on November 14, 2015 where eight families will welcome over a dozen children into their fold.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 26, 2015
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 Galyn gets official! She has been an integral part of several Daybreak projects and is now shown here as Rotary's newest member with her sponsor, Gil Jones. |
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Galyn Woerner has been volunteering with Daybreak's Adoption Day and other activities for a couple of years. A frequent visitor as a speaker as the recruiter/trainer for CASA, she's never been a stranger to Daybreak and we're thrilled that she has now formally joined us.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 26, 2015
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.jpg) New member Galyn Woerner shown with Dr. Dan McBride and Lynn Bishop, and "Lucy." |
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The program on October 20 was an update on exciting progress in making the Christ-Yoder animal shelter a sustaining part of Burnet and Llano Counties into the future. Dr. Dan McBride is the area Veterinarian who tends the shelter animals, and has for a long time. Lynn Bishop is the Board president. There is reorganization going on to preserve and capitalize on the years of sacrifice by Lin Christ and Dee Yoder, the creators of the shelter.
The shelter provides important services for the citizens of Burnet and Llano counties and animals that have been abandoned, become lost or have been injured. The Christ Yoder Animal Shelter offers adoptable animals which have been checked by a veterinarian, brought up to date on shots, checked for heart worms, and micro-chipped. When you're looking for a new 4-legged addition to your household, check there first!
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 12, 2015
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 This is a big deal. The Rotary International/World Health Organization collaboration has almost licked polio, everywhere. |
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"The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 25 September that Nigeria is now polio-free and has been officially removed from the list of countries where polio is endemic. It’s been 14 months since any cases of polio caused by the wild virus have been detected there. With Nigeria’s historic achievement, polio remains endemic in only two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. That means transmission of the virus has never been stopped there."
And "In other encouraging news, an independent global health commission officially verified on 21 September that wild poliovirus type 2, one of three strains of the wild virus, has been eradicated worldwide."
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Oct 06, 2015
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 We take water for granted in America where we just turn the tap. Without the water well that is about to be drilled, the Maasai people subsist on tainted water carried by the women in used petroleum drums, on their heads, five gallons at a time.
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"Cookie" as he is known shared his experience with the project in Maasai Land area of Tanzania, East Africa where Rotary is putting in water well systems and other infrastructure. Daybreak Rotary is assisting in funding along with a Global Grant from Rotary International and donations from six other clubs.
 We take water for granted in America where we just turn the tap. Without the water well that is about to be drilled, the Maasai people subsist on tainted water carried by the women in used petroleum drums, on their heads, five gallons at a time. World wide, 783 million people have no clean water. One in 10 of those will die from bad water. Of the children in those areas, 80% are sick from bad water.
Cookie regaled us with stories of hearing the "Maasai yoddle" as he calls it which led to his singing cowboy songs for the Maasai people, including "Happy Trails" which -- to his surprise -- they knew.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 27, 2015
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Landscaping of the old city jail was completed on April 28
10 bags of topsoil and 40 bags of mulch later, the project was declared done!
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 The jail landscaping project was completed on April 28, 2015 with the addition of the mulch seen prominently in the photos. The students were a bit incredulous when Jim McCrocklin and I pulled up with a trailer loaded with 40 bags of mulch and 10-40# bags of topsoil. Jim and I were most grateful for the young backs to handle all of that.
These photos show just some of the students who have participated in the project. On the back far left is Chess Long, faculty member, and on the back far right is Harry Born, a volunteer at the Falls Career High School campus.
(Full size of those photos appear in the photo album. Click here.) |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 21, 2015
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Daybreak and CASA event recognizing child abuse awareness and prevention month a huge success.
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The story in pictures appears in a photo album. Daybreak and CASA teamed up to host an event in Johnson Park honoring child victims of abuse and neglect. The ceremony began after the Colors were posted by local Boy Scouts from Troop 284 and Cub Scout Packs 2338 and 196 led by Garrett and Marshall Jett, with the audience pledging allegiance to our flag. 
 Kristen Harris, CASA's Executive Director led the ceremony with quiet moments of thought and prayer, punctuated by single taps of the Rotary bell by Judge Garrett, CPS worker Teresa Greenburg and CASA volunteer Faye Payne.
The audience then took long-stem red roses to the waters of Backbone Creek, a tributary of Lake Marble Falls, and placed them on the water -- one rose for each of the children currently being served by CASA for the Highland Lakes.
CASA serves Burnet, Blanco, Llano, San Saba and Lampasas counties and is currently advocating for 198 children across those counties, 77 in Burnet County alone.
A moving talk was given regarding a small child who herself was the victim of abuse and neglect, whose siblings turned to drugs and crime, but who overcame that start to become a beautiful, professional woman with a happy family. She credits a CASA volunteer and foster parents for showing her a way to stop what is often a multi-generational cycle of neglect. This writer was pleased to be asked share a few thoughts about how "ordinary" people can fill the gap -- the gap between the plight of an abused or neglected child and a normal, healthy and happy life.
The event was custom designed by the planners and is thought to be unique. "The idea for the bell-ringing ceremony actually originated from a candlelight ceremony script that many CASA programs use. We wanted to make the program fit our community though, and felt that a ceremony during the daylight hours would be more feasible for attendees. We developed a committee to work on a plan for this ceremony and after some discussion it was decided that a Bell Ringing Ceremony would be perfect. The rest of the ceremony just fell into place after that and people from CASA, Rotary and the County Attorneys Office all stepped up and made the event happen! The ceremony itself went great and it was a success because of the collaboration of these groups" according to Kristen Harris. A balloon release was considered originally but the flowers on the water was felt to be ecologically more appropriate, and safer for wildlife. The ducks in the creek were ecstatic!
Sponsoring this event is part of the Daybreak Rotary mission to help spread the word about the need for foster homes in Burnet and contiguous rural counties.
  The solemn, and sobering, event drew area dignitaries including District Judge (and Rotarian) Allan Garrett, Burnet County Judge James Oakley,Andi Ball representing Congressman Williams, District Attorney Sonny McAfee, Burnet County Attorney (and Rotarian) Eddie Arredondo, Llano County Attorney (and Rotarian) Becky Lange, Mayors George Russell from Marble Falls and Gary Wideman from Burnet, Constable Chris Jett, Burnet County Commissioner Joe Don Dockery, Sheriff W.T. Smith of Burnet County, Judge Don Adams, and Granite Shoals Police Chief (and CASA board of Directors member) JP Wilson |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 21, 2015
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 Dr. Dan McBride opened our eyes as to how a rare species becomes extinct.
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 The beautiful Pronghorm, a unique to North America animal, has declined in population from the 10's of millions as estimated by Lewis & Clark during their exploration of the West, to just thousands. Through efforts by wildlife conservationists like Dr. Dan McBride the Pronghorn is on the way back from the brink of extinction.
 Dr. Dan explained that the Pronghorn is not truly an antelope although the common reference is to a "Pronghorn Antelope" among the general public. It is in a distinct biological classification by itself, in the species Antilocapra americana.Dan -- who is also the Burnet County rabies control officer -- shared a startling statistic about rabies: that more people die annually from rabies than from the Ebola virus. Because of it's large animal population mixed with an ever-increasing human population Burnet County is perennially in the top brackets for rabies incidents, according to Dan.
Thanks for a great program Dr. Dan! The photos were beautiful and the discussion quite interesting.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 21, 2015
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Day 5 saw the planting of about 80 specimens from four different plant types.
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In a mere 5 workdays the students of MFISD Falls Career High School totally refurbished the landscaping at the old City jail on 2nd street. The photo album shows the progress from weeds and rotted railroad ties to fresh cedar timbers framing totally new plantings. All that remains at this time is a bit more movement of dirt, installing a few more plants, and finishing the drip irrigation system. |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 13, 2015
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 Marble Falls Career High School students in conjunction with Daybreak Rotary are nearing the completion of the project.
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Progress on Day 4
 The students shown here on Day 4 of the project (April 14) are some of the many students who have worked on the project. Supervision (and a lot of the work) has been by Harry Born and Chess Long. You can see the infrastructure here is almost ready for planting to begin.
There is about a yard of topsoil yet to add in the lower planting section and granite gravel for the steps and walk, and then the plants will go in. The effort and dedication these youngsters have put in is truly impressive. I'm not sure that Harry, who himself is a volunteer at the campus, knew quite what he was getting into by supervising this.
 Here is a front view showing the structure for the steps on the left and the tiered planting areas. The total area to be planted is approximately 300 sq. ft. which is a bit more than Bill Bradshaw had designed for due to our adding the lower bed in the forefront of the photo. Bill, who recently passed away, was a Landscape Architect Emeritus and donated his time.
We have spent $600 on plants which are about to be picked up from Backbone Nursery which gave us a great price and some extra plants. The topsoil has been donated by Horseshoe Bay and the granite gravel by Collier Materials. The silt fence was loaned by Cactus Companies. The cedar timbers you see were donated by Foxworth-Galbraith. Hauling of topsoil and granite gravel was done in part by Hill Country Recycling. Buck Burdett kicked the project off with his backhoe tearing out the old, rotted railroad ties and loosening up the soil so the students could more easily work it. We will spend around $250 to install a drip system and a bit of money more on mulch but the purchasing is about done.
The City of Marble Falls has placed a water connection so that the students can maintain the plants until they get established. We are very confident that God will thereafter furnish adequate rains for these drought-hardy plants! Funding was furnished through the Marble Falls/Lake LBJ using funds remaining from the old Marble Falls/Lake LBJ Regional Tri-Commission for Economic Development which was an early economic development effort in the area.
 This photo shows the end result of the dirt and timber work with the main planting areas. Not shown are 3x9 planters on each side of the building.
Many of the Marble Falls Career High School Students have labored at the site. Quite a few of them had never had a shovel in their hands nor helped carry a 10 foot long 6x6 inch cedar timber. Sweat equity! Just watching them work and listening to the banter, along with the fact that most of the students on the entire campus have wanted to participate, tells me that they have gotten a lot of benefit from participating. It will be fun to see the response as the planting is done and the transformation begins for sure.
Yes, it's a ratty old worthless building but it will no longer be an eyesore and the experience of the children: priceless.
Supervision of the students has been by Harry and Chess with campus Principal Peggy Little delivering pizza or Subway sandwiches. Oversight of the project has been by co-chair Rotarians Jim McCrocklin, Gil Jones, and Ed Cole.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 17, 2015
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 April is Child Abuse Awareness & Prevention month. Daybreak Rotary and CASA for the Highland Lakes have partnered to raise community awareness for prevention, and to encourage more people to consider becoming a foster parent.
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 A ceremony recognizing child victims of abuse and neglect will be held on Monday, April 20, 2015 beginning at 5:30PM at the amphitheatre in Marble Falls' Johnson Park. It will be brief (around 30 minutes) with a bell-ringing for each child in presently in State care in Burnet County. Thereafter a rose will be placed on the calm waters of beautiful Lake Marble Falls -- one for each of the children. The public is invited to share this time with Daybreak Rotary, CASA, community leaders, and others concerned with child welfare.
Daybreak Rotary's objective in this ceremony is part if its ongoing mission of encouraging more foster homes in the highland lakes area so that the children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect, along with all of the people who aid them, are better served. Foster placement far from home places a burden on everyone concerned and hampers the chance to reunify the families affected.
 As part of Daybreak's efforts in this regard and to promote awareness -- and hopefully prevention -- of child abuse, it was my privilege to represent Daybreak and accompany CASA's Executive Director Kristen Harris in an appearance on Friday at the KVUE studio in Austin. That clip can be seen by clicking here.
The KVUE interview was arranged by Rotarian Kirk Noaker who also drove us to the studio. He took time out of his busy day as the fact investigator for the Regional Capital Public Defender's Office in order to do this, and even shared his queso during our lunch at Chuy's afterward.
I wondered why Kirk went to such lengths and the answer was finally revealed in this selfie with KVUE's Yvonne Nava. (photos by Kirk)  |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 19, 2015
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 Mickey West Career Assets charitable fund seeks to aid the Highland Lakes workforce in achieving a career pathway.
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The goal is to alleviate critical skill shortages throughout the Highland Lakes by helping adults succeed in post-secondary training, certifications, and degrees. The program brings together leaders in business, education, non-profits, and government to design workforce training for specific high-demand occupations that are important to our regional economy.
 The lead organizers are Gail Davalos of Horseshoe Bay, and Celia Merrill of Marble Falls. Davalos founded Mickey West Career Assets, a 501(c)(3) charitable fund, to establish and sustain the multi-agency partnerships of a Highland Lakes workforce training program and to provide services that enable participants to stay on a career pathway.
 This graphic demonstrates the synergy that Gail and Celia hope to foster.
Those partnerships then endeavor to create a career pathway for workers by a systematic program to help not only the unemployed worker get the first job but then to sustain them through development in a career path leading to improved skills and qualifications for better employment.
 Theirs is a concept for a regional adult career pathway that will move people from entry-level jobs upward, with a focus on the "working poor." An especially important feature of the training caught my eye -- that of "soft skills" such as greeting the public, customer relations and other interpersonal skills that are so important in the industries being focused on. Those include healthcare, hospitality, information technology, construction and light manufacturing. |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 05, 2015
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 Another success in the Daybreak Rotary - Marble Falls Mustang Relays partnership.
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The relays were held on April 2, 2015 this year with almost perfect weather in place. Although the Thursday date held down participation Daybreakers furnished plenty of essential peoplepower.
The long jump pits were full of current Rotarians marking, measuring and raking alongside one of the most spectacular stands of bluebonnets anywhere in the city. Former Rotarian and head track coach Kyle Futrell asked me to get a "Chamber of Commerce" photo of the action near the bluebonnets. Hopefully this meets his approval.
Rotarians also helped in the shotput, discus and other events as well as at the concession stand dishing out some outstanding pulled pork to the coaches. The other component of Daybreak's participation is raising funds to pay for trophies and medals. Excess funds are used for purchasing track equipment the program doesn't have budget for.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Mar 29, 2015
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CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Executive Director Kristen Harris celebrates one with with CASA of the Highland Lakes on April 1.
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It has been a busy year for Kristen and CASA, and there is more to come. With 171 children within their service area (71 in Burnet County alone) CASA is busy here. The numbers are down a bit right now but history tells us that is temporary.
 Kristen is shown here with Daybreak President during a prior presentation by Kristen.
Approximately 2/3rds of the cases have an advocate assigned so more volunteers are needed. That is always the case as volunteers move on to other things or become unable to volunteer any more. CASA of the Highland Lakes (CASA HL) usually has five volunteer education classes each year and has one starting on April 7. CASA HL also has many observances of Child Abuse & Neglect Awareness Month during April and a golf tournament fund-raiser on May 30.
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Posted by Bobbi Shell
on Mar 20, 2015
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 Gettysburg -- the turning point of the U.S. Civil War, is sometimes referred to as the "War of Northern Aggression."
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Eddie Shell, local defense attorney, history buff and descendent of a Confederate soldier, offered the Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary an interesting perspective on the Civil War. "The War of Northern Aggression," as Eddie's grandfather called it, was lost long before the South actually surrendered, when the Confederates lost the Battle of Gettysburg. Lee's army suffered enormous casualties as a result of Pickett's Charge, the last day of the Battle of Gettysburg.
 Shown here with one of the many books in his Civil War library, Eddie also shows off one of his many pieces of historical information and art. Eddie mesmerized the Rotary members with his explanation of what led General Lee to order the fatal charge on Union forces known as Pickett's Charge. The "fog of battle" was the culprit, consisting of poor intelligence, overshooting cannon fire, and the resulting dust that obscured the fact that fortifications had not been destroyed.
After suffering the loss at Gettysburg, the South never fully recovered and lost many battles more battles. One such battle was the Battle of Bristoe Station, where George Washington Shell, Eddie's great grandfather, was captured and held prisoner until the surrender by the South and the end of the Civil War. Upon his release, Shell migrated to Briggs, Texas where many generations of Shells have since inhabited.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Mar 10, 2015
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 Not Forrest Gump, our own Rotarian Brad Quinn ... and he is still running.
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Running and promoting running -- that's what Brad and his wife Nyla are all about. In addition to busy careers (Brad is an occupational therapist) and raising four children, Brad and Nyla have been organizing trail races since 2006 and recently added a road race in 2013.
Brad began running trails to stay fit after moving to Texas in 2001, and by 2005 was completing a 30k. His talk today was focused on Ultramarathon running, and the description of what that entails had the Daybreak membership shaking its collective head. Ultramarathons began in earnest by the 1980s with the primary event being a 100 mile run in what is now known as the Western States Endurance Run. Gordy Ashley, known as the father of the Ultramarathon, first ran what was then a horse event. "Starting in Squaw Valley, California near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and ending 100.2 miles later in Auburn, California, Western States, in the decades since its inception in 1974, has come to represent one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world." (Source: www.wser.org).
According to Brad, Texas is the 2nd most active state for endurance running out of approximately 70,000 people now running seriously. The demographics are interesting, including that 33.4% of the athletes fall into the 30-39 age range and 4% in the 60-69 age group. Among races of interest described by Brad is one near Durango, CO where the total ascent is 33,000 feet. That is airliner cruising altitude.
Sir Edmund Hillary, when asked why he climbed Mt. Everest replied "because it's there." Brad says "I run to burn off the crazy." Keep running Brad, and encourage all of us to get out there and keep the body parts working!
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Posted by Gil Jones
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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?" |
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.jpg) The Marble Falls ISD has gone hi-tech in the 21st Century
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Robert Keith, still the "new" IT director (that's "Information Technology" for those of you from Loma Linda) at the school district, has made giant strides in his six months here. The District has new servers and routers and all that stuff that handles bits and bytes. The students are getting access to tablets and Chrome books with which to expand their horizons far beyond the city limits. The teachers are getting tools that help them teach "smarter" because they can't work much harder.
It was clear from his presentation that Robert has an intense passion for finding what works to help the students and faculty, and not just whiz-bang stuff. Thanks for the good info, Robert.
This program was sponsored by Rotarian Keith Powell.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Feb 23, 2015
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A recent online article on the Bill Gates blog caught my attention about RI's participation in eradicating the world of the polio virus. His blog mentioned only the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and not Rotary's PolioPlus and that led me to look up the GPEI. While at first I thought Gates and the GPEI were hijacking the role of Rotary, I was pleasantly surprised. |
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The website of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has an info page that speaks about -- among others -- the huge goal that Rotary International has played in the fight to rid the world of the wild polio virus. I quote (emphasis added):
Rotary International
![] Rotary volunteer wearing “Good-bye polio” jacket, Nigeria](http://www.polioeradication.org/portals/0/Image/About/about-partners-spearheading-02.jpg) |
| More than one million Rotary members have volunteered their time to polio eradication |
Rotary International is the world's first and largest humanitarian service organization with a global network of 1.2 million members in more than 170 countries. Through its PolioPlus programme, established in 1985, Rotary was the first to have the vision of a polio-free world.
Rotary’s primary responsibilities include fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer recruitment.
More than one million Rotary members have volunteered their time and personal resources to polio eradication. Rotary members also provide valuable field support during National Immunization Days through social mobilization and by administering the oral polio vaccine to children.
Rotary is the main private sector donor to polio eradication, and will have contributed more than US$ 1.2 billion by 2013.
In November 2007, Rotary International entered in a unique partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to inject a further US$ 555 million into the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
Source: Global Polio Eradication Initiative > About us > Partners > Spearheading partners. (n.d.). Retrieved February 24, 2015, from http://www.polioeradication.org/Aboutus/Partners/Spearheadingpartners.aspx
Reach behind your head and pat yourself on the back.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Feb 23, 2015
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 Former Granite Shoals mayor and leader in this tennis project, Frank Reilly, gave us a great update on the current stage and future plans for the Roddick Youth Tennis Foundation.
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The Roddick Tennis Center at Quarry Parks in Granite shoals at the municipal complex now has two quick-start courts, two full size covered courts, and the RYTF is working toward the next phase to add 4-6 regular courts.
The Center is planned to eventually have 18 courts and the ability to host USTA tournaments. Sanctioned tournaments of that nature can bring in as many as 1200 people, according to Reilly.
He also mentioned the fifth annual Vegas by the River fund-raiser to be held November 28, 2015 at the Marble Falls Pavilion. The Center will also have a lengthy run/walk, hike, bike trail which Leonel Manzano helped to lay out and other outdoor features for young and old.
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Posted by Bobbi Shell
on Feb 12, 2015
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 The Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary Club was energized by Richard Golladay’s discussion of residential solar panels. Electrical Engineer, Dow chemical retiree, and avid cyclist, Richard Golladay, spoke to the Club about the many benefits of residential solar panels as an alternative energy source.
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Most residents in Marble Falls and the surrounding areas utilize PEC as their electricity provider. During “peak” times, beginning at 5:00 pm every evening, the electricity grid is strained to provide the necessary electricity to our homes, causing higher electricity bills, overextension of the electricity grid, and potentially rolling blackouts.
Those who implement solar panels can help alleviate the strain on the electricity grid by contributing to the energy available to the grid, benefiting us all. Richard explained that water, perhaps our most valuable and finite resource, is a main component in providing traditional electricity. Residential solar panels can assist in the preservation of our water resources, as there is no water consumption in the use of solar energy.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Feb 03, 2015
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 Rotarian Chuck Johnstone teamed up with PDG Rich Kaye and incoming DG Melinda Osbourn to tout the Foundation.
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 Chuck, shown here receiving his Paul Harris Fellowship pin last September had a great format for presenting the work of the Foundation, with banter back and forth with Past District Governor Rich Kaye.
Rich is a member of the Killeen Heights Rotary Club and is retired from the Army, now in defense contracting.
He is the "go-to" guy in Rotary District 5870 for Foundation Matters. In addition to many statistics demonstrating the awesome work done by Rotary to eradicate polio, he had an interesting fact unknown to most Rotarians. Many of us (at least those born up to about the 1950's) recall the name Savin -- Dr. Albert Savin -- who created the oral polio vaccine from the original Salk vaccine (by Dr. Jonas Salk).
Fast foward now to 1985 when Dr. Carlos Canseco is the President of Rotary International. Dr. Canseco was the instigator of the Polio Plus eradication program. How did he come to do so? He was a partner with Dr. Savin! No wonder he thought of it.
In 1988 there were 125 polio-endemic countries and only 71 polio-free. In 1985 Rotary launched a $120million fund-raising campaign and actually raised $247 million. 1991 saw the last of the wild poliovirus in the Americas. Rotary has contributed over $800 million and put feet on the ground in over 122 countries.
Polio is now 99% eradicated. In 1985 thousands of children were struck daily. There were 350,000 cases in 1988. By 2008 there were fewer than 2,000 cases world-wide.
Last year there were only 385 cases, world-wide. If you eliminate Pakistan and Afghanistan (and the Afghan cases trace back to Pakistan), there were only 19 (Nineteen!) cases in the rest of the entire world.
 Incoming District Governor Melinda Osbourn also joined us in the meeting. She is shown here in her usual animated speaking style while Rich -- the consummate coffee consumer -- stands by.
It's the Rotary Foundation that makes this possible, and more. In addition to ending Polio, Rotary International focuses on clean water, women's health, various humanitarian projects, world understanding, goodwill and peace. Basic education and literacy are also top priorities for Rotary International.
Rotarians learned about the financial operation of the Foundation which includes the fact that 100% of your contributed dollar goes to work after three years, that 50% of it can come back to the District, with 25% coming directly to our Club for projects we wish to do.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Apr 01, 2014
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The Marble Falls Jail -- historical -- will be beautified |
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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.
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Posted by Curtis Powell
on Nov 30, 2014
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 Mr. K.R. Wood noted Texas musician and performer spoke to the Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary about his recent humanitarian trip to Tanzania Africa.
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In addition to his music, Mr. Wood is an avid Texas historian and has produced and performed on the album Fathers of Texas Series, the Crockett Chronicles. Mr. Wood has also been given the honor of being declared as part of David Crockett’s extended family bestowed on him by the heroes’ direct descendants. He and his band have also had the rare privilege to actually perform with a fiddle that was owned by Crockett.  "Cookie" is shown here with Daybreak President Jeffrey Bartz. Looks like they were having fun.
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Posted by Bobbi Shell
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 Rotarian, Gil Jones, schools the Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary on the many uses of drones.
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.jpg) Drones, properly known as Unmanned Aerial Systems or UAVs, are used in commercial and agricultural fields for mapping and surveying tracts of land. Additionally, drones have application in search and rescue efforts by using thermal imaging and by performing grid searches. Finally, drones can be used to assist law enforcement officers on apprehending suspects and can aid in crowd control by offering an aerial view of the masses. Drones are the key to saving the planet!.... okay, maybe not quiet yet, but they sure are cool! |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Aug 04, 2014
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 Galyn Woerner, Camp Agape's Camp Director explained how Camp Agape helps children in the bereavement process. |
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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.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Mar 18, 2014
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The first annual (and first ever anywhere) picnic event for foster families has begun. |
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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. |
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Jun 09, 2014
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Falls recognized the partnership with a beautiful plaque at graduation.
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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.
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Posted by Gil Jones
on Dec 24, 2012
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 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. |
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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
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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
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