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MLK Day Service Opportunities
We WILL NOT MEET MONDAY, but we encourage you to venture out and serve the community in some meaningful way.  Here are some suggestions for events honoring Dr. King through service:
 
The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is sponsoring a MLK Day Family Volunteer Day of Service on Monday, January 15 from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at the Cedar Falls Public Library, 504 Main Street in Cedar Falls. Families are invited to complete service projects that will support community agencies. Families are encouraged to volunteer together on this important day. For more information call (319) 272-2087 or email lauren_finke@vccv.org

Additionally, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, in partnership with the Northeast Iowa Food Bank and the University of Northern Iowa, will be holding a food packaging event for the Backpack Program in Maucker Union on campus at UNI from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This opportunity is for ages 12 and above. For more information on this event, please sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mlk-day-of-service-tickets-39680137359
 
 
Upcoming programs
Our next meeting is January 22 and our program is Rachel Anderson with the Rotaract Club.  Rotaract is a service, leadership, professional and community service organization for young men and women between the ages 18–30. Rotaract focuses on the development of young adults as leaders in their communities and workplaces. Clubs around the world also take part in international service projects, in a global effort to bring peace and international understanding to the world.
 
Jan 29: Luann Alemao – Blue Zones
Feb 5: Bruce Newendrop - FIRST(Robotics)
Feb 12: Mallory Petsche – Embarc Iowa
Feb 19- Jim Miller – WCF Symphony
Feb 26: Rural Urban Day – Sign up your guest
 
 
The power of a garden

Rotary members in Harvard, Illinois, USA, have teamed up with community groups to help alleviate hunger and bring the community together.  

With the goals of alleviating hunger and educating the community, master gardeners from University of Illinois Extension planted the garden in 2001 on a half-acre parcel donated by the city and adjacent to the public library. Over the years, the master gardeners have enlisted the support of many businesses, organizations, and clubs, including the Rotary Club of Harvard, making the project a community-wide effort. 

As many as 250 needy families benefit from the 10,000 pounds of vegetables that are grown and donated every year to the local food pantry. The fresh produce serves as a safety net for many families. 

“In this community, the only way we can get by is by helping each other,” says Dave Decker, site director for the Harvard Community Food Pantry. “Everybody needs a little help now and then.”

The Rotary Club of Harvard took on the project seven years ago, looking for a way to address hunger and help the community. With only seven members, the club has had an impact far beyond its size, amplifying its efforts by working with the master gardeners and other groups.

“Thanks to the garden, we can feed people who can’t afford to buy fresh food at the supermarket,” says Sanchez. “I believe it is everybody’s responsibility to help the community. If our children see that there is unity, love, and support, they are going to do the same thing. We are leaving them a legacy.” 

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Russell Hampton
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