Successful Dental Mission

Rotarians from Dist 5650 participated in the recently concluded Dental Mission organized by the Nebraska Mission of Mercy. The mission took place at the La Vista-Papillon High School, Nebraska, on July 10-11, 2009. It served more than 1500 patients. Rotary clubs made monetary donations to support the mission and several Rotarians volunteered serving in different capacities, i.e. registering the patients, assisting Dentists, managing the parking lot, managing the patients in long lines, and assisting child care whose parents are getting dental services. Health & Hunger Dist. Chair Yolanda Hoffman was at the event and was able to document some hours of the mission. Below are the pictures and video clips:

After triage, patients are waiting here for their turn to see a dentist.

Dr. Hanck, assisted by Rotarian John Meng-Frecker, doing Triage.

Health & Hunger Chair Yolanda Hoffman with Dr. Hanck taken during the first shift on July 11, 2009

Rotarian John Meng-Frecker of Southwest Omaha Rotary Club w/ Dr. Hanck during the morning shift on July 11, 2009

Below are video clips of Dr. Hanck, a volunteer dentist from Colorado, talks about his experience as part of the Dental Team, and Rotarian Rick Braasch shares his experience as non-dental volunteer.

Dr. Hanck, volunteer dentist from Colorado

Rotarian Rick Braasch, Southwest Omaha Rotary Club

NOTE: This blog post will be updated with more information, pictures, and video clips as they come.

DG Rich Rowland's Message to the Clubs as He Begins His Term as Governor

What a year! This past Rotary year is one we should all look on with a great deal of pride! Rotary continues to make giant strides with the efforts to eradicate Polio from this earth. With the new Gates Foundation matching gift and several Government Grants we have nearly $850,000,000 available to fight the last throws of this terrible disease. Polio Eradication continues to be our first priority and we will beat it!

Sharon Wherry and her entire 5650 team finished with a sprint across the Rotary 2008-09 year. With Sharon's dedication, and the help of all 2500 Rotarians in District 5650, we added new a new club, raised monies for countless great causes in our communities, and made Dreams Real for many children across the Heartland and around the world.

It is with a great deal of pride that I look forward to helping our clubs in District 5650 continue to grow and have fun offering the hand of help and compassion to those that are not as blessed as each one of us. I look forward to visiting each club in the District and hearing about the wonderful projects that have been continued, or chosen, for 2009-10.

John Kenny, our RI President for 2009-10, reminds us that "Rotary is about helping others. We are the fortunate ones. And to those that much is given, much is expected." Truly, The Future of Rotary is in Your Hands!