Murray Rotarians Clean Up Murray Park

Recently, Murray Rotary members and their families, joined together to clean up the Northwest corner of Murray Park.  Despite the first day of rain after 38 days of sunshine, Murray Rotary had a great turn out!  District Governor (Murray Rotarian) Jerry Summerhays participated in our service project!  Murray Rotary, you rock! Thanks for your service!

Utah Rotary Clubs! $100 reward!

The American Fork Club is issuing a $100 reward for the Rotary club that brings the most team or individuals to our Tour de Donut bike race.  The event is July 7th at 9:00 am.  For more information visit:  www. utahtourdedonut.org or call Debby 801-319-8655.  We are also looking for volunteers to count donuts, man the race course, and help with registration.  Volunteers register at website.  

Interactors, Rotaractors, and Rotarians unite to 'MAKE A DIFFERENCE" in Puerto Penasco, Mexico

AT 3:30 AM June 9, 2012, the first group of Interactors were meeting in Brigham City to load up on the bus that would take them to Puerto Penasco, Mexico. They were the first of over 235 Interactors, Rotaractors, and Rotarians, amounting to 4 bus loads,  that would begin the journey to Mexico for a week long service project.  The week would culminate in the construction of 3 new homes for the impoverished residents of Puerto Penasco, and an incredible number of service projects in schools, orphanages, senior citizen centers, and others.  As can be imagined, 235 people in multicolored, shirts reflecting the team that they belonged to, attracted quite a bit of attention.  Among them was Joe Houchin, a reporter and writer.  He followed us around for a couple of day and wrote the following piece for the Sonoran Resorts, he also took the photos that are shown here.  Please go to this link and view the entire article, which goes into more details of the partnership with the Families helping Families foundation, that helps make this service project possible.

http://www.sonoranresorts.mx/?p=5132

Joe Houchin

The group, ranging in age from 13 to 20, arrived on Sunday the 10th of June and on Monday went to the site that consisted only of stacks of block, bags of concrete, tools and three concrete foundations. Ralph and Jared had previously contracted to have the supplies and foundations ready for the group so they could begin immediately on the miraculous job of completing three 1,000 square foot homes, including the roofs, window and interior framing by the following Thursday— that’s four days!.

These photos begin on Tuesday morning, the second day and already the block laying is nearly to the top. It was an amazing sight: the teams distinguished by brightly colored T-shirts of yellow, red, blue and green sprouting like desert flora from every angle of the block structures inside and out, all diligently devoted to their assigned jobs and working non-stop throughout the long hot day, proving their commitment to the Rotary slogan, “Service Above Self”. The slogan they wore proudly on Friday morning, group photo day. The American and Mexican Flags flew proudly each day in front of the project.

MURRAY ROTARY HONORS MURRAY HIGH SCHOOL OUTSTANDING ALUMNI AWARD

Last week, Murray Rotary honored this year's recipient, Rhett McQuiston, as the Murray High School Outstanding Alumnus Award at a luncheon.  Murray Rotarian Harold Brockbank, started  the program with a brief overview of Rotary International.

Murray Rotarian Dr. Steve Hirase, Superintendent of Murray School District, gave a few remarks.

He stated that the wall of pictures of past alumni winners at Murray High School is now more significant than ever, noting that it includes people like former Murray Mayor Lynn Pett.  Murray Rotary Club has been presenting this award since 1979.  He declared that this year’s winner of the Outstanding Alumnus Award, Rhett McQuiston embodies “service above self” to the children of the community.  He said  Rhett’s two children are students and his sister is a teacher in the District. 

Rhett's roots run deep in Murray: he, his mother and his grandmother all attended Murray High, as will his two children.  He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters of Arts in Organizational Management.  He has been a certified law enforcement officer since 1994, when he began his career aas an Adult Probation & Parole Officer.  He was promoted to Criminal Invertigator with the Utah Department of Corrections.  In 2000, Rhet was assigned to a newly created task force within the Utah Attorney General's Office: the Utah Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Rhett McQuiston

Rhett ultimately was the Task Force Commander. He has also been an investigator for the Utah Child Abduction Response Team since it began in 2007. In 2010, Rhett was assigned as the Supervisory Special Agent of the Utah Attorney General’s State Enforcement of Crimes Committed by Undocumented Residents (SECURE) Strike Force. He is currently a Supervisory Special Agent with the Cooperative Disability Investigation Unit, which is responsible for investigating Social Security fraud. 

Rhett expressed his appreciation for the honor, noting that he was proud just to be nominated and surprised and honored to be selected.  He pointed out that the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force started with four original members and by 2010, 80 officers were involved state-wide.  He stated child sex predators to be a huge problem and described the cases as being "tough".

Congratulations are extended to Rhett McQuiston and his entire family!

MURRAY ROTARY HONORS MURRAY HIGH SCHOOL'S TOP 10 SCHOLARS

Master of Ceremonies, Wynn Tate

In May, Murray Rotary Club honored Murray High School
Top Ten Scholars and an Outstanding Teacher Award.  Presiding as Master of Ceremonies, Murray Rotarian Wynn Tate gave a brief overview of Rotary in general and the Murray Rotary Club.  He spoke about Rotary's "Polio Plus" program to eradicate polio worldwide and the number of Rotary Clubs and members worldwide.

Wynn concluded his comments by encouraging Murray High School Top Ten Scholars to get involved in charity and service.  Wynn introduced Murray Rotarian Dr. Steve Hirase, Superintendent of the Murray School District, who in turn, introduced Dr. David Dunn, Principal of Murray High School.    Dr. Dunn declared, of the more than 500 top Murray students who have been honored by the Murray Rotary Club over the years, the ten best were here today, including five Murray High School Sterling Scholars!  He then introduced each of Murray High Schools Top Ten Scholars, with a brief biographical sketch for each student.

Devan Betts

Murray HS Top Ten Scholars, Chris Cowen

Dr. Hirase, Chris Cowen and Dr. Dunn

Marissa Burton

Jacqueline Rosen
Cody Golder
Makay Miller
Alex Wilkinson
Jenna Lewis
Alexander Souvall
Whitney Stephan
Elise Johnson


They are all brillant, hardworking, conscientious, caring and dedicated future leaders in their professions, homes and communities.

Dr. Dunn then presented the Outstanding Teacher Award to Chris Cowan, who was selected for the honor by the Top Ten Scholars.  Mr. Cowan teaches science at Murray High School and mentors other teachers.  He was described as having a "glass one half full" personality and always positive.

Ready for a fabulous humanitarian service trip?

Imagine yourself traveling to a place that few people get to visit. An island where it is sunny, the people are friendly, and the culture is vibrant. Off limits for most people but now available to you.

Join the Hispano Latinos Rotary Club of Salt Lake on their second humanitarian service to Cuba. If you cannot attend, please see below for other ways you can support this project. 

The trip is from Mon Dec 3 – Wed Dec 12, 2012. The itinerary includes nice hotels, humanitarian service to numerous organizations, cultural activities, and wonderful meals all with a group of very fun Rotarians from District 5420.

Price per person -  $2,850.00 and includes all transportation, meals and activities noted on the itinerary except airfare R/T and hotel in Miami. 

Initial deposit of $500 is due July 2, 2012. 

Travel Details:

·        Group travel from Miami, FL will leave for Havana, Cuba, on Dec. 3, 2012 at 8:30 am. Travelers must be at the airport no later than 6:00 am for check-in and to receive documentation for Cuba.  You will receive a special visa from Marimar Travel Agency at the airport.  We suggest travel to Miami the day before – on your own. 

·        WHY you will be able to travel legally to Cuba. The U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control  (OFAC) regulates travel to Cuba and has authorized a few Travel Agencies to assist travelers under certain specifications to travel to Cuba.  Marimar Travel Agency has been authorized by the government for this service.  You will be allowed to travel to Cuba under the category of:  Humanitarian project and support of the Cuban people.  If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call 305-810-5140.   

·        Baggage: authorized travelers to Cuba are limited to 44 lbs of accompanied baggage per traveler. 

·        What you can bring back from Cuba:  Goods or services of Cuban origin may not be imported into the US either directly or through third countries such as Canada or Mexico.  The only exceptions are publications, artwork, or other informational materials.  NO cigars!

Donations needed:

·         Art supplies

·         Supplies for the blind

·         Supplies for the nursing home

·         Wheelchairs

·         New toys

·         $ to purchase needed items

For more information and receive the itinerary, please contact Alicia Gomez. Check the blog again soon for more details!

Alicia Gomez

President 2011-2012

RotaryClubHispanoLatinosSLC@gmail.com

aligomusa99@hotmail.com

(801)867 9339

A Successful Service Project in Mexico Sponsored by the Murray and Bountiful Rotary Clubs

There were 44 Rotarians, family and friends that participated in this year’s Mexico Service Project, April 21-28.  We had Rotarians from Murray, Bountiful and Sugarhouse Clubs volunteer their time.   The Playa Club sent a translator and Doctor to help us with our project.

Eye exam with Sugarhouse Rotarian Dr. Wright and Playa doctor

The motto of Murray Rotary Club is "fun with a purpose" and we did just that:  had lots of fun in Mexico.   Jim Charnholm, Murray Rotary Club, put countless hours in making this project a success, we couldn't have done it without him.  Monies for this project were donated from the Bountiful Rotary Club and Murray Rotary Club.   Here is a summary as to what has already been accomplished in the village (pueblo) of "Vida y Esperanza" (which means Life and Hope)  and what we did  there. 

Here is a link if you want to see where "Vida y Esperanza" is located:
   http://mexico.pueblosamerica.com/mapas/vida-y-esperanza  

Newly stuccoed old school

New school

The school that the Murray Rotary helped build in 2010,  has now been stuccoed and painted inside and out.  A new solar system is complete which furnishes power to the school for lights, computers and  flushing toilets.  Many truckloads of fill material have been put on the playground area.  We purchased basketballs, volleyballs, soccer balls and footballs.  A new volleyball net, ball bags and ball pumps have been purchased as well as a new basketball ring for the existing pole.  Volleyball poles have been installed. A new metal roof on the school will be installed soon.  The government has built a second school.

New solar system

DIF mobile medical/dental van

Dr Baird, Bountiful Club

Jim Charnholm and Ron Jensen giving reading glasses

Two doctors, Jeff Barton, from Murray Rotary Club and Larry Wright from the Sugarhouse Rotary Club and two dentists, Anthony Baird, from the Bountiful Rotary Club and DG Elect, Jerry Summerhays, from the Murray Rotary Club provided medical and dental check ups at the school for the students, teachers and villagers.  Over 40 impacted teeth were pulled by the dentists!!  Prior to our trip, we purchased and had been given medical and dental supplies that we used for the service project.  The remainder of the supplies were left for the mobile medical/dental clinic.  Nancy Pickett, RN from Murray Rotary Club and Jerry Summerhays taught hygiene for the students.  We had two boy scouts with us that contributed to the school through their Eagle Scout Project.  Riley Bain put hygiene kits together that he distributed to the students after the hygiene class.  And Kennedy Christenson distributed backpacks filled with school supplies.  It was very moving to see and experience this with the Scouts.