Bill Kent, Dr. Matt Maggio, Bennett O'Connor, and Dr. John Garton shared personal reflections on the value of Rotary International. They are all Paul Harris Fellows, which speaks to their dedication to the cause and their belief that Rotary does excellent humanitarian work around the globe. 

• Bill Kent recalled attending an International Convention decades ago that drew high-level executives and leaders from around the world. That experience left a lasting impression about the scale and impact of Rotary International, particularly its work on water projects in Africa, and inspired his ongoing giving to the Rotary Foundation. 

• Matt Maggio praised the Foundation's efficiency, noting that 97% of contributions go directly to projects versus 3% to administration. Several longtime members also spoke about Rotary's international humanitarian efforts more broadly, including the near-eradication of polio worldwide (down to Pakistan and Afganistan).

• Bennett O'Connor recalled past shipments of medical supplies, wheelchairs, and even a fire truck to communities in need — underscoring the group's shared sense of pride in Rotary's global reach and impact. 

• John Garton affirmed the quality of Rotary International projects and the good work done by volunteers.  

To become a Paul Harris Fellow, one must contribute $1,000 to Rotary International. One can contribute by:

• Setting up gifts online, at my.rotary.org

• Call the Rotary International Contact Center at 1-866-976-8279 (or 1-866-9ROTARY). Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

In the Monday “Messenger” Rotarian Stanek was pictured at the ribbon cutting of the new Sprouts Early Education Development School  (SEEDS) at the former Becker Garden Center on South Kenyon road.  The new center will accommodate 71 children under the age of 5 and employ from 10 to 16 workers.  The program is the effort of the Linking Families and Communities Program of Webster County headed by Stanek.  

Lotus Community Project Update

The Lotus Community Project is an emergency homeless shelter for women and children serving a six-county area — Webster, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, and Calhoun counties — with capacity for up to 25 residents. Since new leadership took over in October 2025, the shelter has undergone significant improvements, including the addition of a dedicated case manager who works individually with each resident to assess their unique needs. Lotus connects women with a wide range of community partners, including HHS, Iowa Workforce Development, Family Treatment Court, CMFR, and the YWCA, helping residents obtain IDs, housing vouchers, job skills, and other essential supports on their path to independence.

Funding remains the shelter's most pressing challenge — operations run approximately $12,000–$15,000 per month — and after state funding was revoked due to quality concerns, Lotus is now entirely privately funded. The new director, Erin Brookshire, has been actively rebuilding community relationships and pursuing grants, recently receiving a $10,000 donation from the United Way Community Foundation and $2,000 from Zion Lutheran. Upcoming fundraisers include a motorcycle run on August 1st, a semi-formal event, “Lotus Soiree” on September 19th, and monthly Applebee's fundraiser nights. Anyone interested in sponsorship, donations, or board membership is encouraged to reach out — every contribution, large or small, makes a direct difference for the women and children at Lotus.