Our Service Projects
Our second STEM YEA camp took place at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania this year, with 45 students who might not otherwise have had such an opportunity. As it was last year, it was a great event to witness for many reasons. First was the teaching staff; it was great to watch their deep engagement with the students individually and collectively. The focus seemed to engage the critical thinking of the students, whatever the activity was. Watching the care, thought, and expertise of the educators was uplifting.
The kids themselves were kind, respectful, and came together as a group almost immediately through team-building exercises. Seeing the effort made in group problem-solving was excellent—an integral part of the scientific process. This year the kids were given lab coats by STEM YEA Chair Rolf Schlake, which were a big hit; we noted that many wore them constantly. A neat psychological way to put it in a young mind that such a future could be possible, along with talking to some of the great interns and teachers and professors who have made the journey through education themselves.
Rotarians attended the camp as well, 53 of whom served as volunteers. Four District Governors and one DG-elect attended the Project Building Sessions or the celebration dinner. It was indeed a great district-wide effort, with nineteen clubs having sponsored students. There were two Rotary sessions as part of the camp to educate the campers in Rotary values.
This is a great event to be a volunteer; anyone who has done so in the last two years would surely say the same.
Mongolia Night a Resounding Success
Our fundraiser for the program took place at the home of two of our co-presidents this year, thanks to Gary Englehardt and Gwenn Carr for opening their home for the event, which saw a presentation by Ariel Wycoff of the U.S. Department of State (shown at top), who also is a board member of Friends of Mongolia, and traveled from Washington DC to attend the event.
There was a silent auction that brought in valuable funds for the cause, along with very generous donations.
Also present at the event was Batshur (Shuree) Gootiiz, Tech Product Manager at PWC, shown at lower right with Gwenn Carr. Her story sure demonstrates how helping a Mongolian has a ripple effect, today she has her own girls STEM fund in Mongolia, her nieces recently volunteered at STEM YEA, paying it forward as so often happens.
We also heard from the amazing Nick Millward, via zoom. Nick is a peace fellow having secured a grant a grant from the Rotary Foundation. All of this was Nick's brainchild, and he has been a tireless advocate for the program in Australia and Mongolia. It was a pleasure to meet Nick's parents at the event also.
The bottom line for this event was that we met and far exceeded our goal to raise enough to sponsor a student. Instead of the hoped for $1,400 the event netted $7,564.01 which can also help with essentials such as computers, books and related items.
Our plan is to partner with other Rotary Clubs to make this very achievable goal a reality. Will you join us?
The Food Bank at Kingdom Life Family Center distributes healthy food to an ever-increasing number of families in the Lehigh Valley. In recent times, the distribution has reached over 300 families in need. Given the increasing scale of the work involved, more volunteers are needed to help set up, help with the distribution, and help tear down.
Volunteering is a fulfilling way of providing service to those most in need. Let's see how many Rotarians we can send to be of service.
.png)
Service Above Self
Allentown, PA 18104
United States of America