Guest Speakers Neil Fell & Sherry Kubalsky
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's Irish Pub on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Our first guest speaker was Neil Fell, member of the Rotary Club of Ankeny and the District 6000 Foundation Regional Representative. Neil shared that every little bit does make a difference. If we all work together giving to The Rotary Foundation and to Polio Eradication efforts great things can and will happen! Neil talked about polio eradication and how far we have come. We are close to eradicating this terrible disease from the face of the earth.
Our second speaker was Sherry Kubalsky, a member of our Rotary club. Sherry went on a mission trip to Ghana, Africa May 5-17, 2024. She had an amazing experience. Many people in Ghana have malaria and worm problems due to drinking from very dirt water sources on the surface of the ground. The people in this country need clean water wells to get over needing the deworming treatments. While Sherry was there they had a water well dedication following the church service. Sherry has written 3 books so far and all proceeds go to help with clean water in Ghana.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Service Project
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, November 19, 2024 for a community service project. 7 members and guests volunteered at Sleep in Heavenly Peace to make bed frames. 8 members and guests volunteered to deliver and set up twin beds for children who do not have a bed. Our Rotary club donated $10,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace this year. We have volunteered numerous times to help them with their goal of "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town". Our Rotary members plus other friends have donated bedding to Sleep in Heavenly Peace as well. This is a great organization and if you want to check it out here is the link: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/ia-des-moines/.
Mixology Social
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's. Jon Riebhoff was inducted into the club. Welcome, Jon!
Then the club held a Social called "Mixology". Jason, our fabulous bartender, showed the group how to make 3 special drinks you could serve over the holidays. He also gave us some bartending "tips" that might come in handy some day. The group had a great time socializing and trying new drinks. A big "THANK YOU" to Jason, our bartender, and to Magee's for allowing us to do this. Members can't wait to do it again!!
Next week on Tuesday, November 19 we will be volunteering at Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Des Moines. Some members are making bed frames and some members are delivering and setting up beds for children that don't have any beds.
Foster Squad Christmas Bags
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met at Magee's Irish Pub on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Ed Arnold talked about polio eradication. Nate Buch talked about the Iowa Wolves basketball game to be held February 28, 2025. Rotary is partnering with the Iowa Wolves and tickets are a special price of $20 and $10 goes to polio eradication on Feb. 28. See a Rotary member to purchase tickets.
The members then conducted a community service project. We assembled 100 Christmas bags with presents for the Foster Squad Christmas Party. This is the second year we have participated in this project. It is a lot of fun and we know the kids will love getting a special present. A big "THANK YOU" to Ann & Doug Wright for chairing this project.
Next week, November 12, we have a fun social event "Mixology" planned at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's. We will learn how to make three festive holiday drinks. Rotarians feel free to bring guests. Chase Netusil is in charge of this project.
Halloween Party
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening held a festive Halloween party on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at what will be the new Good Trip Travel Company office in uptown Ankeny. Over 30 members and guests enjoyed beverages and hors d'oeuvres thanks to our hosts Bill and Victoria Ogier. After enjoying fellowship, drinks and food the group went on a walking tour of Uptown Ankeny. Bill shared many interesting facts about the history of how the city Ankeny was originally settled, along with a few haunting "ghost stories". The group had a great time socializing and learning more about Ankeny. A big "THANK YOU" to Bill and Victoria for hosting.
Next week on Tuesday, November 5, we will meet at Magee's Irish Pub at 6:00 p.m. Ed Arnold and Nate Buch will share information information about the Iowa Wolves Basketball game on February 28, 2025 where our Rotary Club members will be asked to purchase tickets to raise money to eradiacate polio. We will also be completing a community service project. We will fill Christmas bags for the Foster Squad. Guests are always welcome..
Having Fun at the Halloween Party
Great Conversations
Bill Ogier, Tour Guide
Rotary Meeting Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Clay Budach was inducted into the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening. Clay is a financial planner in Ankeny. Clay has been an active part of our club over the last month, and we are excited to welcome him into our Rotary club. Congratulations Clay!
Our guest speaker was Ada Sallares, Rotary Youth Exchange student from Barcelona, Spain. Ada spoke about her life back home and what she has done in Iowa since she arrived on August 19, 2024. Ada is a junior that attends Ankeny Centennial High School. She has recently participated on the JV Volleyball team; she will be a cheerleader on the JV Boys and Girls Basketball teams this winter, and plans to participate in soccer this coming spring. Ada previously presented this program to the Rotary Club of Ankeny at a noon meeting. Ada is staying with host parents Steve and Brenda Wieneke, August 2024 - January 2025. Ada’s second host parents will be Juan Arias and Patty Munguia January - July 2025.
Noel Fiscus gave his Member Spotlight. Noel shared information about his family, how he was inpsired to get into the jewelry business while still in high school, and how he has grown his business, Fiscus Jewelers, over the past 21 years. Noel is very knowledgeable about jewelry. His store sells all types of jewelry and watches, does appraisals, and does some consignment.
Next week on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 we will have a Halloween Party. We will meet at the new location for Good Trip Travel Co. (701 W. 1st St. in Ankeny) at 5:45 p.m. We will have snacks and beverages and then take a haunted tour of Uptown Ankeny. Friends and family are welcome to come.
New Member Induction Clay Budach
Ada Sallares, Exchange Student
Noel Fiscus Member Spotlight
Cleaning dog toys at ARL
Sorting cans of cat and dog food at ARL
Great group of volunteers
Fun Facts About Rotary
On Tuesday, October 8, the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met at Magee's Irish Pub at 6:00 p.m. Jenna Pomrenke was inducted into the club. Welcome Jenna!!!! Victoria Ogier gave her Member Spotlight. This is a great way for members to learn more about each other.
Our club then played a game called "Fun Facts About Rotary". Members were divided into groups of 3-4 people. They had t 15 minutes to answer 15 questions about Rotary. Some of the questions were multiple choice, short answer, and true/false. Then the group went over the answers and it was a great way to learn more about Rotary and still have fun. This was a new activity we tried instead of the traditional new member orientation or fireside chat.
Next week we will be volunteering at the Animal Rescue League in Des Moines at 6:00 p.m. We encourage all members to attend and feel free to bring adult family members and friends.
Induction of new member Jenna Pomrenke 
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TEAM Time
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's Irish Pub. President Brenda Wieneke called the meeting to order. Penny Wilson, Kids Hope USA Director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church shared a little bit about the Kids Hope mentoring program and answered questions. The club donated $400 to this program so that the children in this program could get their own book at the book fairs at school this year. The students will also each receive a bookmark with the Rotary 4 Way Test printed on it.
The focus of our meeting was TEAM Time - "Together Everyone Achieves More". Members divided into 4 committee groups and had time to brainstorm and plan for the future meetings. We then presented a new membership activity called Each One Bring One. Members each drew a month out of a box and that is the month we would like them to invite a prospective member to any meeting that month. This is a fun way to expose Rotary to more people in the Ankeny community.
Next week on Tuesday, October 8, we are going to be playing a game focusing on Fun Facts About Rotary. It will be a way for members and guests to learn more about the Rotary organization. Hope you can attend!
Penny Wilson
Check Presentation
Children's Cancer Connection
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Children's Cancer Connection in Johnston at 6:00 p.m. Eight members and one guest were present. Jenny Harmeyer, Development Manager, gave us a tour of the facility. They moved into this new building in 2021 and finished remodeling last October. They have a beautiful facility with a very nice outdoor playground.
The Children's Cancer Connection serves 830 families all over Iowa and offers 60 different programs. They support the entire family, not just the children who have been inflicted with cancer. This organization started with a camp back in 1988.
Childhood cancer treatment involves countless medical procedures and experiences. The Beads4Bravery® program allows families to collect a bead for every step and milestone to tell the story of their unique journeys. Children can receive beads for things like dialysis, finger poke, hair loss, music therapy, physical therapy, IV infusion, surgery, X-ray, Ronald McDonald House Stay, end of treatment, etc. Our Rotarians sorted beads into groups of 50 or 100 so the center would know exactly how many beds they had on hand. We ended up counting and sorting 16,020 beads!!!! Note the picture of a sample necklace that a child may have. They often show these at graduation. Our members enjoyed helping the Children's Cancer Connection. If you would like to learn more, go to this link: ccciowa.org.
Next week on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, we will be meeting at the Hilton Garden Inn in West Des Moines for the annual CIVITAS Awareness and Prevention of Human Trafficking Program. Members were asked to sign up in advance and should arrive around 4:30 p.m. to sign in. The guest speakers will speak from 5:00-6:45 p.m. Then heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks will be served. During networking, local non-profit agencies will be at tables sharing how Rotarians can get involved with these important issues.
Rotarians counting beads
Beads for Bravery Program
Chili Cook Off Social
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening held a Chili Cook Off Social on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at the home of Wendy and Dan Deppe. There were over 20 members and guests present and there were 8 different types of chii in the competition.
First place went to Noel Fiscus, second place to Wendy Deppe, and third place to Doug Wright. It was a fun evening with lots of great food and fellowship. This was the Second Annual Chili Cook Off the club has held.
Next week on Tuesday, September 17, we will be going to the Children's Cancer Connection in Johnston for a tour of the facility and then we will volunteer to help them with some tasks they need to get finished. Members that are interested will then go out to eat and have a social time. Hope to see you then!
Noel Fiscus (1st), Wendy Deppe (2nd), Doug Wright (3rd)
Here is what the winner's received
Chili Cook off Social
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Service Project
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 5:45 at Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Des Moines for a service project. 9 members and 2 guests delivered and set up 25 beds in the Des Moines area. The children were overjoyed to finally have their own bed and they loved the sheets and comforters. These children will sleep better at night and be ready to learn at school each day.
If you would like to volunteer to help Sleep in Heavenly Peace or donate sheets, bedspreads, pillows, or mattress protectors, you can learn more at this link:
Next week the Rotary Club of Ankeny and the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening are having a Chili Cook Off Social at 6:00 p.m. Which chili will win the prize? Rotarians come to find out!
Rotary Meeting
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met at Magee's Irish Pub at 6:00 p.m.
We inducted Susan Mitchell as a new member. Susan is now working as a Life Coach. Welcome to Rotary, Susan!!!
Our first guest speaker was Kausalya Reddy, Iowa Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Conference 2024 graduate. Kausalya is a senior at Ankeny High School this year. She was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ankeny and the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening. Kausalya said it was really a fun experience and will encourage other students to attend next year.
Our second guest speaker was Amy Quartell, PE, Ankeny City Engineer. Amy is responsible for Traffic, Engineering, & Storm Water Divisions. Amy shared city plans for the next few years. She also shared some high priority projects for 2030+. The presentation was very informative and interesting.
Next week on September 3, 2024, we will be helping deliver and assemble beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
Kausalya Reddy, Iowa Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)
Amy Quartell, PE, Ankeny City Engineer.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Service Project
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening held a service project on Saturday, August 24, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Des Moines. 12 volunteers worked hard to make 10 beds during the time we were there. We were involved with sanding, drilling, hammering, and branding. There are great volunteers to train you so you don't need any prior skills.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an American nonprofit 501 organization that builds and delivers beds to children who don't have beds to sleep in. They have delivered 1,868 beds since they started the Des Moines Chapter in 2018. With over 270 local chapters nationwide, it is easy to get involved with the SHP in your community.
Our Rotary club has committed to building beds on 2 Saturdays and delivering and setting up beds on 2 Tuesday nights.
If you know a group of people that would be interested in volunteering, here is the link: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/ia-des-moines/
Doug Wright and Marie Kline sanding
Doug Wright and Kristofer Orth
making a headboard
Volunteers busy at work
Mary Shook & Ann Wright sanding
Meals From the Heartland
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening had a community service project on Tuesday, August 20, 2024. 13 Rotarians and 6 guests volunteered at Meals from the Heartland in West Des Moines. The group volunteered from 6-8 p.m. and packaged 194 boxes which is 41, 904 meals. That will feed 161 kids for an entire year! This is a fun project that our Rotary club enjoys every year. We donated $500 to Meals from the Heartland to help them with their mission to fight child hunger by empowering people to feed starving children.
Next week on Tuesday, August 27, we will be meeting at Magee's Irish Pub at 6:00 p.m. We will have 2 guest speakers. Kausalya Reddy, RYLA student, will be telling our Rotary club about her wonderful experience in July going to Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference. We will also have Amy Quartell, Ankeny City Engineer, speaking about all the road work being done in Ankeny and what we can look forward to in the fall and winter in terms of road closures. Guests are welcome to attend.
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening Donated $500
to Meals From the Heartland
Working Hard!!!
What a great group of volunteers
rocking those hair nets!!!
District Governor Dave Cook Visits the Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening and the Rotary Club of Ankeny held a joint picnic social on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at Sunrise Park in Ankeny. There were over 60 members/guests that attended. The Rotary clubs furnished the meat, buns, and beverages and the members provided sides for the meal.
After the meal there were fun games for all ages. There was a water balloon toss, watermelon eating contest, hula hoop contest, 3-legged race, and eggs on a spoon.
It was a great night and gave a chance for members and guests to socialize.
A big THANK YOU to Marie Kline, Cathy McDaniels, Wendy Deppe, and Todd Eipperle for planning this fun social event!
Rotary Picnic at Sunrise Park
Cathy McDaniels and Marie Kline
Zeb Goen was the winner of the
watermelon eating contest
Rotary Club of Ankeny Meeting July 30, 2024
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's Irish Pub. Juan Arias presented his member spotlight. We learned many new things about Juan. Did you know that Rotary meetings in Honduras can last over 6 hours? Lots of socializing!!!
Anne Porter was presented her Paul Harris Fellow +1 pin. Congratulations, Anne!
Brenda Wieneke, President, led a Club Assembly where the club discussed a number of items, which included forming a new fundraising committee, dates for building and delivering beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Ankeny Play Day August 1, serving root beer floats to raise money for Special Olympics, Rotary picnic August 6, Rotary Christmas party December 10, new donation request form, and committee updates.
Our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 6, at 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Sunrise Park Shelter House (506 SE Peterson Drive) for the Rotary Picnic. This will be in conjunction with The Rotary Club of Ankeny. We currently have 65 people signed up to attend! Wow!!!!! What a great response for a fun social. There will be games for all ages! Hopefully it cools down a little by then.
Anne Porter Award
Helping Hands Food Boxes
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening met on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Magee's Irish Pub. Kristofer Orth was our member spotlight. We learned many interesting things about Kristofer. Thank you, Kristofer, for sharing. Food insecurity was the focus of our community service project. We talked about the daily Love Lunches in Ankeny. We also talked about the Helping Hands Food Boxes. The club and members donated nonperishable items for the food boxes. The members sorted the items and then delivered them throughout Ankeny. This is a fun project that our members enjoy participating in twice a year.
Next week on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, we will have a guest speaker. Amy Quartell, City Engineer, will be speaking. Hope you can join us!
Noel Fiscus
Zeb Goen, Juan Arias, & Brenda Wieneke sorting food
The Rotary Club of Ankeny Evening has a proud tradition of support for programs of The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.
The mission of The Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education, and the alleviation of poverty.
The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International receives Charity Navigator's highest rating of 4-Stars annually for efficiency and transparency and is ranked in Charity Navigator's top 5 foundations in the world of more than 5,000 that are rated!
The Rotary Foundation's Areas of Focus:
1. Maternal and Child Health
2. Water and Sanitation
3. Disease Prevention and Treatment
4. Basic Eduation and Literacy
5. Economic-Community Development
6. Peace and Conflict Resolution
7. Environmental Protection
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Service Above Self
Ankeny, IA 50023
United States of America