Six Rotarians from our club joined a group of Rotarians from South Dakota on an adventure to Tanzania (about 26 individuals).    The trip was partly a safari adventure and partly Rotary social action.   The speakers will provide the background to the trip’s organization and planning, a short description of the safari adventure, and then a description of our visit to St. Jude’s School.    St. Jude’s School is a private school whose mission is to fight poverty through education.   Rotary clubs from both Australia and USA have been instrumental in creating and supporting this mission.  The school currently enrolls 1800 students from some of the poorest families in their region.  Because of sponsorships and outside support, students and their families do not pay for tuition, room and board, uniforms, and other expenses. Over 92% of graduating students go on to higher education and will become the Tanzania leaders of the future.  

Presentation by: Duane and Karen Abata, Thomas and Julia Behrenbeck, Chuck Hanson, and Bud Hammes

Sofi and Greta will be sharing their summer youth exchange experiences.  Each student traveled overseas to live with a family and then hosted a student at their home.  Our club sponsored these two students, our district sent 11 students, and Rotary sends between 7,000 and 9,000 students each year.  This is an amazing program that builds bridges and peace around the world.

Sofi Cromheecke attends Onalaska High School.  She is involved with the Rotary Interact Club, Green Earth Society, Women in STEM club, and choir.  She plays soccer and tennis.  Sofi spent time in Spain this summer through the Rotary Youth Exchange Summer Program living with a host family and then hosted a student at her home in Onalaska.

Greta Kleven attends Onalaska High School.  She is involved with the Rotary Interact Club, Women in STEM club, and band.  She enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, quilting, and sewing.  She spent time in France this summer through the Rotary Youth Exchange Summer Program living with a host family and then hosted a student at her home in Onalaska.

We're looking for volunteers with infants and toddlers (ages 0–3) to participate as models in an upcoming photo shoot.

 

We'd love to include families of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds—different family structures, cultures, and traditions—so the final materials feel like a true reflection of our community. The photo shoot will take place on Saturday, August 15th, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., at a home on the south side of La Crosse, WI. Each family will have a 1-hour time slot.

 

Photos will be used in marketing materials for The Brain Game book and may appear in future editions. As a thank-you for participating, your family will receive a copy of the book.

 

If you're interested, please contact Kasey at kaseyb@vendiadvertising.com or 608-788-5020 ext. 176 to schedule a time. Thank you for considering—your participation would mean a lot to us!