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On Monday we welcomed U.S. Congressman Rudy Yakym. Rudy is a fourth generation Hoosier who is proud to represent the people of Indiana’s Second District. A Christian, family man, and conservative, Rudy is working tirelessly to bring common sense, Hoosier values to Washington, D.C. Born and raised in South Bend, Rudy received a bachelor’s degree in business finance and administration from Indiana University South Bend. He later went on to earn an Executive MBA from the University of Notre Dame. Prior to his election to Congress, Rudy served as Director of Growth Initiatives at Kem Krest, a company that specializes in removing friction from supply chains. Throughout his career in business, Rudy has held senior positions at various companies, helping them to develop effective growth strategies. Rudy and his wife Sallyann currently live in Granger, where they are raising their three wonderful children; Elle, Rudy IV, and Eliza. They worship at New Life Baptist Church, where Rudy serves the congregation as Head Usher.

Rudy shared highlights of his priorities, some current states of affairs in Washington DC and Indiana, and opened his presentation up to questions from our club. Among Rudy's priorities are:

Fighting Inflation and Creating More Jobs
Supporting our Veterans
Saving America from the Pelosi-Biden Failed Agenda
Supporting Law Enforcement and the Rule of Law
Balancing the Budget and Ending Wasteful Spending
Creating American Energy Independence and Lowering Energy Prices
Promoting Economic Opportunities for Working Families

Running List of Rotary Event Announcements. Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

November 30, 3-7 p.m. Tolson Center for Community Excellence GRAND OPENING EVENT! After years of planning & building it's finally time for us to CELEBRATE. Join us on Thursday, November 30th from 3pm-7pm at 1320 Benham Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516. Register by clicking the link: www.tinyurl.com/TCgrandopening. Contact: Breanna Allen
Continuing....December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23, 26-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
December 2, 4 p.m. Page to Stage, performance during Winterfest. Kindergarten to Second Graders, with help from local actor and improv expert Julie Cotton, will read a book and create a play based on it. Register at https://www.myepl.org/event/page-to-stage/2023-11-27/
December 7, 1-4 p.m. Honoring Bill Rieth’s contributions to Crossroads United Way. An open house to say hello and thank you to Bill for his many years of service as Executive Director as he moves on to the next chapter in his life. Location: Crossroads United Way offices. Contact: Bill Rieth. All Rotarians are invited to attend.
December 9, Shifts start at 9 a.m., Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning for signups.
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.

Elkhart Rotary Club - November 20, 2023

On Monday we welcomed Dr. Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, President of Goshen College, introduced by Elkhart Rotarian and Goshen College Vice President For Institutional Advancement, Todd Yoder. Stoltzfus presented a conversation about Higher Education in the context of Elkhart County and Goshen College.

Here are some slides highlighting Stoltzfus' presentation.

What do Americans think about higher education?

In fact, Americans’ confidence in all institutions is falling - Higher education falls at 36% on the graph.

Who's going to college?

How important is a college degree?

Goshen College is an award winning institution. An example....

For more information visit: https://www.goshen.edu/

Running List of Rotary Event Announcements
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

November 24-25-26, December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23, 26-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
November 30, 3-7 p.m. Tolson Center for Community Excellence GRAND OPENING EVENT! After years of planning & building it's finally time for us to CELEBRATE. Join us on Thursday, November 30th from 3pm-7pm at 1320 Benham Ave. Elkhart, IN 46516. Register by clicking the link: www.tinyurl.com/TCgrandopening. Contact: Breanna Allen
December 2, 4 p.m. Page to Stage, performance during Winterfest. Kindergarten to Second Graders, with help from local actor and improv expert Julie Cotton, will read a book and create a play based on it. Register at https://www.myepl.org/event/page-to-stage/2023-11-27/
December 7, 1-4 p.m. Honoring Bill Rieth’s contributions to Crossroads United Way. An open house to say hello and thank you to Bill for his many years of service as Executive Director as he moves on to the next chapter in his life. Location: Crossroads United Way offices. Contact: Bill Rieth. All Rotarians are invited to attend.
December 9, 9 a.m. start, Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning for signups.
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.

Rotary Meeting November 13, 2023

Monday we welcomed Kelli Liechty, Vice President of Access and Crisis Services at Oaklawn.

Oaklawn provides a full range of mental health and addiction services for children, adolescents and adults in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties. Their services include skills training and case management, individual and group therapy, psychiatric services, intensive residential programs for youth and inpatient treatment for adults. Across their locations, Oaklawn sees over 17,000 clients annually.

Kelli shared information about Oaklawn's continuum of care, their improved model of Open Access to serve more clients in a more effective manner, as well as their crisis centers and crisis response teams.

For more information visit https://oaklawn.org/

Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

November 16, 5 p.m. Thirsty Thursday at Brass Elk. Come join the fun to socialize before the District 6540 Rotary Foundation Dinner. Contact: Peter Norton.
November 16, 5:30 p.m. Social, 6:15 p.m. Dinner. District 6540 Rotary Foundation Dinner at the Crystal Ballroom in Elkhart. The event is seeking silent and live auction items, donations, and sponsors. Guest Speaker is John Smarge, Rotary International Director 2010-2012 and RI-USAID Partnership Steering Committee 2021-2024. For info and reservations visit: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=143087f8-5964-49f5-b159-8a294378f529 Contact: Terri Rickel
November 24-25-26, December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23, 26-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
December 9, 9 a.m. start, shifts TBA. Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning for signups.
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.

Rotary Double Header November 6, 2023

Elkhart Rotarians are known to be very industrious! Monday's meeting was no exception as they welcomed speakers from both the OWLS Club of Elkhart and Rotary District 6540 District Governor, Ed van Wijk.

OWLS CLUB

First up, one of the OWLS Club founding members, Art Bowers, who provided a little history of the young club then introduced the OWLS Club Executive Director Maggie Okponobi who gave an organizational overview and took questions from the club.

The OWLS Club is a private, community organization that exists to help aging adults in Elkhart County and surrounding communities thrive throughout their pre- and post-retirement years. Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of adults 55 and older through meaningful opportunities for service, lifelong learning, active play, and social connection. Their vision is to be an indispensable community asset for older adults as they navigate and embrace the entire aging process. They envision a community where every adult 55 and older will have access to programs and services in a welcoming environment that fosters wellness, encourages socialization, and promotes active aging. OWLS Club is located on the Trinity United Methodist campus at 2715 East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart, Indiana. OWLS were founded In 2021 by a small group of seniors in Elkhart recognized a gap in services for the active-aging and committed their time, talents, and treasures toward making this center a reality.

ED VAN WIJK, ROTARY DISTRICT 6540 DISTRICT GOVERNOR 2023-2024

Rotary District 6540 District Governor Cornelis Eduard “Ed” van Wijk is the pastor of Knightstown United Methodist Church. He preaches, teaches, manages, and is the spiritual leader of the congregation. Before Ed came to Knightstown, he served the DeMotte UMC for 7 years and the Kentland Trinity UMC for 9 years. While attending seminary Ed worked as the director of worship and education at Lowell First United Methodist Church. In a prior career Ed was a computer consultant and worked on the implementation and operation of enterprise management systems based on the Oracle relational database system. He specialized in the implementation of human resource management systems. Ed’s first career was in the Dutch Merchant Marine as a radio-officer traveling the world on freighters and passenger ships. His task as a radio-officer was to provide communication between ship and shore via telegraphy, telephony, teletype, and satellite. Ed holds the Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston Illinois, the Bachelor of Science in Systems Analysis and Design from Purdue University and the Radio Officer degree from the Radio Holland Radio Officer School in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Ed was born and raised in The Netherlands and emigrated to the USA in 1991. Ed joined the Kentland Rotary Club in 2007 and was the club’s president in 2015/16. Since July 2016 Ed is a member of the DeMotte/KV Rotary Club and has served D6540 as AG from 2016 thru 2022. From 2022 through 2023 Ed served as district trainer. He is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute, a Paul Harris Society member, a major donor, a benefactor, and a member of the bequest society. In order to stay in shape, Ed runs and has completed 12 half-marathons. Ed loves to sing and play the guitar. Ed enjoys travel and hanging out with Rotary friends. Ed is the father of three grown children: a daughter and two sons.

Ed provided an overview of his goals this year within our District, as well as the shared goals of Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally, to:

Promote Peace
Focus on Mental Health, and
Help unlock the power of girls

As part of his goals this year, Ed asked club members to support efforts to outfit a medical center at Bashor Children's Home, home to a new residential program for teen-aged girls who’ve been trapped into sex trafficking.

November 16, 5:30 p.m. Social, 6:15 p.m. Dinner. District 6540 Rotary Foundation Dinner at the Crystal Ballroom in Elkhart. The event is seeking silent and live auction items, donations, and sponsors. Guest Speaker is John Smarge, Rotary International Director 2010-2012 and RI-USAID Partnership Steering Committee 2021-2024. For info and reservations visit: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=143087f8-5964-49f5-b159-8a294378f529 Contact: Terri Rickel
November 24-25-26, December 1-2-3, 8-9-10, 15-16-17, 20-21-22-23, 26-27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
December 9, 9 a.m. start, shifts TBA. Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning, stay tuned for more info and signups.
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.

Elkhart Rotary Club October 23: Keeping it REAL

Great meeting today as we welcomed special guests from Quilts of Valor: In the Bend Chapter members Mary Ann Lienhart Cross and Elkhart Rotarian Susan Ginther. They honored our very own Jim Rieckhoff with a beautiful quilt for his service to our country in the Vietnam war. Quilts of Valor®: In the Bend is a chapter of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation in South Bend, IN. They make and award Quilts of Valor to Veterans and Service Members in our area. In the Bend QoV started in 2015 in South Bend when Pam and Alan Camren and Darlene Seufert met with Erica Broecker to ask if Erica’s Craft & Sewing Center would partner with Quilts of Valor. Having known several Vietnam vets, she readily agreed. They started having monthly meetings to sew in the classroom. More volunteers joined as the months went on. Erica picked out a quilt to teach those who were interested in learning more. They meet most months of the year on a Friday and Saturday to work on quilts that they are are honored to wrap around veterans to offer comfort and thank them for their service. The Chapter has more than 30 members now and welcome anyone in the area who would like to sew at the church, or in their own homes, to further their mission. So far, the Chapter has awarded over 200 quilts.

Today's speaker was Sandra Chambers, Manager of Volunteer Services at REAL Services. REAL Services assists in establishing a community in which those we serve can maintain their independence to the maximum degree possible and find meaning and satisfaction throughout their lives. We offer services in 12 counties across Northern Indiana, including Elkhart, Fulton, Jasper, Kosciusko, Lake, LaPorte, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Starke, and St. Joseph. REAL Services will be recognized as the trusted and valued community resource for Aging Adults, those striving to become financially self-sufficient, those with Alzheimer’s and Dementia as well as those who care for them. REAL Services provides programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education, and protection for 30,000 people in northern Indiana each year. Created in May of 1966 as part of the planning division of United Way, REAL Services was established to develop a service network to meet the needs of older adults in St. Joseph County. 1967, REAL Services received the first federal grant in Indiana from the U.S. Administration on Aging (AOA) for Research and Development. This grant funded the Information, Counseling, and Referral (ICR) program, which originally sent interviewers door-to-door with questionnaires to determine the immediate needs of the elderly in the community. With this information, REAL Services could then refer seniors in need to the appropriate health, welfare, employment, housing, legal aid, and other relevant community services. As a result of the ICR project, a directory of community services for older adults was prepared and distributed, and new programs were developed to meet any unmet needs. In 1968, REAL Services designed the first program in the entire United States to set up nutrition sites to provide meals and socialization for older adults—a program which has served as a model for nutrition assistance across the country. REAL Services has since established itself not only as a state-wide leader, but as a national example in effectively serving the senior community through innovative ideas, competent management, and sound financial guidance. Without REAL Services, more than 5,000 older adults each year would have to move to nursing homes to receive the care they need, and 2,000 people in the community would not have access to food each day. The staff and volunteers at REAL Services work tirelessly to help people of all ages, races, nationalities, and income levels to maintain their integrity and independence, and to achieve satisfaction in their lives. To do this, REAL Services runs more than 20 distinct programs that promote nutrition, self-sufficiency, education, and protection for 30,000 people in northern Indiana each year.

For more information visit: https://realservices.org/

Running List of Rotary Event Announcements.
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.

October 25, 4 p.m. “Read With Me’ session with the Red Ribbon Rookies. Location: Prairie Street Mennonite Church, 1316 Prairie Street, Elkhart. We could ALWAYS use more Rotary Readers! Contact: Jim Snodgrass
October 30, 12 p.m. It's the Fifth Monday Fun Day! In lieu of a regular meeting at Matterhorn today, bring your lunch to High Dive Pavilion, where we'll enjoy a casual lunch with Rotarians. Location: 500 E Beardsley Ave, Elkhart, IN 46514. Contact: Julie Cotton
November 16, 5:30 p.m. Social, 6:15 p.m. Dinner. District 6540 Rotary Foundation Dinner at the Crystal Ballroom in Elkhart. The event is seeking silent and live auction items, donations, and sponsors. Guest Speaker is John Smarge, Rotary International Director 2010-2012 and RI-USAID Partnership Steering Committee 2021-2024. For info and reservations visit: https://www.crsadmin.com/EventPortal/Registrations/PublicFill/EventPublicFill.aspx?evtid=143087f8-5964-49f5-b159-8a294378f529 Contact: Terri Rickel
December 9, 9 a.m. start, shifts TBA. Rotary Bell Ringing for Salvation Army. Contact: Paul Warning, stay tuned for more info and signups.