Dear Rotarians,

This week’s message is meant to remind us of all of the work that the Las Vegas Rotary Club does to support our military, veterans and first responders. This past Saturday, April 11, the precision Air Force flying team, the Thunderbirds, executed a flyover to show support to our area hospitals and first responders. Our amazing medical, police, fire and rescue men and women have worked tirelessly and not without risk to themselves and their families, during the coronavirus pandemic. The military has not escaped the virus infection. The President has issued orders to reactivate some retired service members as well as guard units to help with the management of the crisis. Hospital ships have arrived in areas hard hit to offer help as well. 

Since the spring of 2003, the Las Vegas Rotary Club has been giving the Wetzel awards every quarter to five deserving airmen at Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. These awards are designed to thank airmen who don’t ordinarily receive awards, those airmen who work hard in the trenches, do not seek recognition, and are “unsung heroes.” Named for deceased Las Vegas Rotary Club member Colonel Scotty Wetzel, a 30-year Air Force fighter pilot veteran, we have continued the tradition every quarter since.

We are fortunate to have as members, the Director of Operations for the USO West Region, David Thorson and Keri Serrano, USO Nevada Center Director. Our Las Vegas Rotary Foundation has given a grant to the local USO for a project to help children of service members during this coronavirus pandemic have fun and learn called “Nature is Neat.”

We have several members of our club who are retired military and it is always a joy when the Veteran’s Day meeting and the upcoming Memorial Day meeting take place. Retired Air Force pilot and club member, Ted McAdam always puts together an amazing presentation.

Our District project for First Responders is underway. From my own experience as a former First Responder, I worked with several and I know there are many in our local police, fire and rescue, who are retired military. We will be distributing Personal Protection, health and wellness kits from our Salvation Army distribution point. We are currently in the funding stages of this project and our hope is to be ready within a few weeks.

Our two projects, the USO and First Responders will need “boots on the ground.” I am looking forward to doing what we Rotarians do, donating time and treasure to our local communities and around the world. 

So, grab your mask today and be ready to give of your time to help our local Las Vegas community!

Jackie Thornhill
President
Las Vegas Rotary Club

Las Vegas Rotary Club Meeting: April 9, 2020

• President Jackie Thornhill called the meeting to order via Facebook/Zoom Live Stream event.
• Val Hatley gave the invocation.
• Kirk Holmes was Sergeant at Arms.
• President Jackie Thornhill played the Stars Spangled Banner and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
• President Jackie Thornhill led the 4 Way Test.
• President Jackie Thornhill announcements/reminders:
  • International Convention has been cancelled with no notice of rescheduling to date.
  • Meetings will be continued in this Facebook/Zoom format through mandated closures.
  • District Conference is cancelled. Please call the Westin to be sure your room is fully cancelled.
  • Your quarterly and monthly contributions help fund programs keep our projects moving. Please consider donating to the permanent fund.
  • Please use the QR code in the newsletter to sign up for events online.
  • People of Action Campaign is still live. If you have photos, please continue to send them to President Jackie Thornhill.
  • Movie Night Saturday 6PM April 18^th. PP Michael Gordon selected the first movie Christopher Robin. Will be held via Netflix Party. District Newsletter will have a link to register. Once registered at 5:30 PM on April 18^th you will receive a link to join. Will have trivia and chat for socialization.
  • Lawry’s will remain closed until April 30^th per mandate. They are do have pick up available. Order online and you can use your Lawry’s Bucks.
  • Foundation match is still in effect, take advantage to get to the next level.
  • The First Responders kits have been adapted to include what they said they need most which is face masks. The wellness kits will still be included and will be given out on a first come first serve basis until gone. If you would like to contribute to this project, please reach out to Shawn and let her know that you are donating directly to the First Responders project.
  • You can use a three ring page protector by threading a women’s head band to create a face protector for those most at risk (seniors) If you would like to do so please email President Jackie Thornhill how many you are making and where you are going to deliver them.
  • The shirts from the conference in HI are being transformed into washable cloth masks to distribute to LV Rotary members. Any left over will be given to Sunrise Hospital and Veteran’s Village. Lawry’s North Parking Lot will be the distribution location. Please stay tuned for date and time.
  • There is a spot or two in the next three Wheels for a virtual craft talk. Please send Jackie your headshot, logo and up to 250 words describing what you do professionally.
• Keri Serrano April is the month of the military child. The USO is working to provide nature based educational activities for children to do at home with their families. They will need volunteers to help create the kits. Watch for more details to come.
• Kirk Holmes announced our speaker Paul Moradkhan VP of Government Affairs for the LV Metro Chamber of Commerce. Paul covered the importance of abiding by the Governors directives for Covid-19. He also shared many resources that give you updated data on Covid-19 such as SNHD.org and https://nvhealthresponse.nv.gov/. He shared that DETR is adapting to create unemployment benefits for those self-employed which will be $600 per week benefit. If you qualify, watch the DETR website for information. He also shared that the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce is offering free webinars during this time to the general public. vegaschamber.com. He shared his contact info which was emailed to all members.

President Jackie Thornhill adjourned the meeting.