Rotarian Kuhlman provided the brief summary of the Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way to the Business Connection insert to the weekend “Messenger.” Randy's message this month was about ways United Way responds to help families deastated by a fire. During the last year 12 families were helped as they lost nearly everything in a home fire.
Rotarian Ulrich appeared in the Business Connection insert of the weekend “Messenger” as he provided a summary of what Iowa Central offers to the area and a brief synopsis of where Dr. Ulrich would like to take the college into the future.
Rotarian Johnson appeared in the Saturday/Sunday “Messenger” awarding trophies to the various winners of the annual Fort Dodge Ford Toyota Golf Tournament.
Rotarian Casey Johnson and wife Deb are front page honorees in today's “Messenger” as they have volunteered to lead a major fund drive on behalf of Unity Point Health - Trinity Regional Medical Center. Unity Point has begun construction on an approximate $40 million project to construct a new surgery wing and upgrade equipment. As part of this project a community fund drive through the Foundation hopes to raise approximately $10 million of the cost. Casey and Deb have graciously agreed to lead the fund drive, just another way the Johnson family uses the 4-Way Test to benefit the community.
Rotarian Fierke appeared in the "Messenger" with an article explaining recent Council actions.
Francesco Arezzo, a member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. Arezzo will become president on 1 July.
The Board conducted a special session following the unexpected resignation of RI President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo on 8 June. Guided by the RI code and policies, the Board selected the new president-elect from a pool of candidates who were considered by the Nominating Committee for President of Rotary International in August 2023.
During October the SOS (Serving our Servants) will be constructing at Kennedy Park a Pavillion type shelter to honor Reverend Al Henderson, who was the chaplain for emergency response teams/departments in Webster County until his life was tragically ended by a gunman. SOS has been in existence for 10 years, began by Henderson to provide subtle thank you to the agencies that serve us (Fire/Police/Sheriff/Ambulance/Emergency Response/etc.) by taking them treats approximately once a month. Al was also the chaplain for all members of our service personnel. The subtle gestures are snacks, pizzas, and other sort of thanks.
Since Al's tragic death the program has continued and has undertaken the second task of providing some type of remembrance for Al. In its 10th Anniversary the effort has culminated in a program to construct at Kennedy Park a Pavillion type shelter to honor his legacy. The six support pillars for the cover will contain plaques honoring the six branches of our servants. The structure will be constructed along the shoreline of Kennedy Lake and in an area of high use by families with no shelter now available. The construction is fully supported by Webster County Conservation. The original budget was $100,000, of which 70% has been received. Construction supplies are on order and will be delivered in September. A final fund raiser will be held on June 14th. Information is available by contacting T.J. Pingel at 515-408-2231 or tj@shimkat.com . Tax deductible donations can be left at Shimkat Motor Company to the United Way/Community Foundation.
.png)
