Three months into the Rotary year, I have visited 46 of the 57 clubs and one satellite club along with numerous other events. I appreciate the warm welcomes.  Frequently, I am asked, “are you enjoying the year”?  My response is a resounding YES! It is a distinct honor to serve all the Rotarians in our district. I am truly humbled.

Hurricane Harvey hovered over much of Texas dumping more rain in a few days than some areas see in a year. The small community of La Grange could not have predicted the devastation this historic rainfall would have.

Earlier this month, Austin Cosmopolitan Rotary showed off their building skills when they joined the Austin Habitat of Humanity to help build Daniel and Rosa Martinez their first home. What a rewarding project!! #PeopleOfAction #BeTheInspiration

Congratulations are on order for the Rotary Club of Yoakum!! On September 27, Mayor Annie Rodriguez presented a Proclamation from the City of Yoakum to Yoakum Rotary Club president, Bill Lopez, recognizing the club's 95th birthday. Past District Governor, Bill Bradfield accompanied by his wife Jane, was on hand to share some local, national and international memories of his years in the Rotary organization and Assistant Governor Carroll Sharp gave a brief history of the club. 

On October 13th, 2018, our own Gerogetown Rotarian Dr. Gonzalo Garza will be awarded the Congressional Veterans Commendation for his exemplary military and community service throughout his lifetime.  He will be honored at Texas A&M in Killeen, along with a handful of other recipients of this prestigious award.  

Every month our Rotary Clubs of Austin and Killeen partner with the Austin Hotel and Lodging Association to host a military family for the weekend so they can spend quality time with their families. It is always a grand event because we get to thank that soldier for his service and we get to entertain his family and thank them for carrying on when their dad or mom is serving our country. But it is a rare occasion when that simple weekend turns into so much more.

The first Knighting Ceremony of the school year took place this month. These awesome students were knighted for the virtue of friendliness.The Rotary Club of La Grange proudly funds the EarlyAct FirstKnight program at Hermes Elementary.

World Polio Day is celebrated on October 24th. World Polio Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis. Use of this inactivated poliovirus vaccine and subsequent widespread use of the oral poliovirus vaccine, developed by Albert Sabin, led to the establishment of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Polio is a disease caused by a virus that affects the nervous system and is mainly spread by person-to-person contact. Polio can also be spread by drinking water or other drinks or eating raw or undercooked food that are contaminated with the feces of an infected person.

If you are not having your own Club Polio Fundraiser, consider supporting one that is happening here in Rotary District 5870 Central Texas:

 

Oct. 18 - Austin's PINTS FOR POLIO 5:30PM - 7:30PM at the Fairmont - Rooftop, Downtown Austin

Oct. 18 - Taylor's PINTS FOR POLIO 4:00PM - 8:00PM at Texas Beer Company, Taylor

Oct. 18 - Lakeway/Lake Travis' PINTS FOR POLIO 6:00PM - 8:00PM at Hops & Thyme, Lakeway

Oct. 20 - Multi-Club MONSTER DASH 9:00AM Harker Heights Community Park, Harker Heights

Oct. 25 - La Grange's POLIO RAFFLE FUNDRAISER Back Porch BBQ, LA GRANGE