This Week at Rotary
We Meet at Noon on Thursday
March 3, 2022
IN PERSON & ZOOM
For Those Attending in Person
Plated Meal
(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)
(Link Sent Thursday Morning)
At
Holiday Inn Downtown
Richard Wolleat
Northwood Children's Service
Putting Children First and Foremost in Duluth, since 1883
Located in Duluth, Minnesota, Northwood Children’s Services provides holistic and professional care, education, and treatment for children with severe emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities.
Established in 1883, Northwood is the oldest and largest organization of its kind in Minnesota.
Northwood is a private, nonprofit, tax-exempt agency committed to building positive change in children’s lives.
Highlights from Last Week’s Meeting
By Traci Marciniak
Rotarians met in the Lake Superior Ballroom at the Holiday Center, and via Zoom, on a rather cold, yet sunny day. President Chana Stocke rang the bell and called the meeting to order. Rotarians sang the national anthem accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten on the piano and recited the Rotary 4-way Test.
Past President Branden Robinson shared some statistics showing the need for robust mental health services for kids and teens. He stated, that seventy-five percent of all mental illnesses appear before the age of 24, and suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death in the 10 to 24-year-old age group. In addition, diagnosed mental illness is the number one reason kids drop out of school. As a society, we can do better for our kids. As a Club that has provided support for mental health services, we have made a difference.
Past President Branden Robinson
Jerry Thoreson announced that 10 years ago, on February 19, 2012, he launched his career in social media marketing. A year later he met
Branden Robinson and the co-founders of
Destination Duluth and launched their
Facebook page which has become a popular website featuring all the beauty and wonder of Duluth and the North Shore, inspiring people to visit and move to Duluth. The photos of Destination Duluth’s Facebook and Instagram pages have received a whopping
500 million views! He kicked the Golden Can with a
$500 gift to the Rotary Foundation of Duluth in honor of the 500 million views! Thank you!!!
Skeeter Moore paid a work zone fine to acknowledge the three Olympic speed skaters who have participated in the NorthShore Inline Marathon in the past.
Steve Burgess paid a work zone fine for being named the
Wisconsin Banker of the year. This prestigious award represents a lifetime of achievement in the banking industry. He encouraged fellow Rotarian and co-worker
Mark Peterson to kick the Golden Can as well.
Steve Burgess
Past President
Michelle Buria announced that RSM has spun off its financial advisory services and created a new company called
Choreo, of which Michelle is now part owner. Past President
Michelle also presented a check to the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland to support their mental health program. An anonymous donor gave $5000 to be added to the grant committee award, totaling
$13,700.00!
(L to R: Alexis “LiLi” Ihrig, Tammy Sundbom, Past President Michelle Buria and President Chana Stoke)
Past President Michelle Buria introduced Tammy Sundbom, Resource Development Director; and Alexis “LiLi” Ihrig, Mental Health Coordinator, both with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland. Rotary Club #25 has a special relationship with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland providing funding to launch and support the kid’s mental health access program.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America had its beginnings in 1860 and has grown to include 4,400 clubs across the United States. Duluth’s first club began in 1971 and now there are four locations in Northern Minnesota with expansions planned in Superior, Wisconsin and Hibbing, Minnesota. The COVID-19 pandemic caused the clubs to be closed to clients, however club personnel were able to continue supporting their clients and families by providing more the 4,000 meals to more than 53,000 people.
The mental health access program began with staffing provided by interns from local colleges. In fall 2021, LiLi Ihrig was hired as the full-time mental health coordinator. LiLi works out of all Boys & Girls Clubs of the Northland branches and acts as a case manager. She works with kids individually, as well as their parents, and also teaches a number of different skills groups for the kids. LiLi is able to refer kids to one of five strategic care partners if they require a higher level of mental health care. The Rotary Club #25 grant helps cover the cost of co-pays, medications and more, if needed. LiLi shared a story of “Johnny,” a boy she has worked with at the club. While Johnny has experienced significant challenges in his young life due to trauma and abuse, the relationship he and LiLi forged, along with the skills he has learned, has put him on a hopeful path for the future. And that’s the difference good mental health care can make in a child’s life.
LiLi Ihrig drew the winning 50/50 ticket, which was Skeeter Moore’s. He walked away with $28!
Jim Schwartz with Brian Fulda