Lima will be near the center of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse.
The total solar eclipse will move across the United States on April 8, 2024, reaching Ohio near Greenville around 3:00pm and passing through Lima from 3:10-3:13pm. Russ Decker is part of the Lima Chamber committee planning for the eclipse. "We're expecting a pretty large influx of folks. We think a lot of people are going to travel to Ohio as a place to view the eclipse. What we've learned from the 2017 eclipse, in those areas where you are going to get a view of the total eclipse, the population surge coming into that community can be anywhere from double to three times the current population. So for us here in Allen County, that means we could see anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 people trying to show up in Allen County to view the eclipse. Russ told us that's a great opportunity for businesses that can sell things like souvenirs, lodging, gas and food. But it is also likely to create a logistics nightmare with traffic gridlocked, cell service disrupted and emergency services overwhelmed. The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce has created a committee consisting of emergency services, public works, hospitals and others to plan for the eclipse so we can welcome the visitors to our community and keep everything running as smoothly as possible.
Also at Monday's meeting, we welcomed the Ohio high school wrestling champ, Eli Criblez from Shawnee High School and his parents and congratulated him on his outstanding wrestling career.
Get your tickets now for the Jay Begg Reverse Raffle and win your share of $10,000 in prize money!
The Lima Rotary Club's Jay Begg Reverse Raffle will take place during our first four club meetings in May. This is a big fundraiser for the Lima Rotary Club so we encourage you to buy a ticket and sell them to your family and friends. Fifty numbers will be drawn at each club meeting with $500 going to the 50th number drawn each of the first three weeks. Those in attendance whose numbers are eliminated will receive consolation prizes. The holder of ticket 198 will win $1,000. The holder of ticket 199 will win $2,500 and the holder of ticket 200 will win $5,000! Tickets are just $100 and are available from Katy. Join the fun and get your tickets today!
The May social is a Kentucky Derby watch party, hosted by Tracie Sanchez and her family on May 6 beginning at 4:00pm. There will be mint juleps, bourbon, food and southern fare. Big derby hats and fun bow ties encouraged! There will be prizes for the best Derby attire. Place your bets with bookie Cat.
The party will be held at Tracie's house at 1418 W. Market Street. RSVP to Demi.
The Lima Rotary Club's Spring Blood Clinic is May 6 from 6:30-9:30am.
The Lima Rotary Club partners with Lima Memorial Lab Services to offer its Spring Blood Clinic. This is an outstanding opportunity to receive blood screenings at a low cost. Make your health a priority and attend the Lima Rotary Club's Spring Blood Clinic on May 6. For your convenience, you may download the registration form here, fill it out and bring it with you to the clinic.
The Lima Rotary Club raised $604 to help purchase a new truck for MESA by passing the bucket.
Medical Equipment and Supplies Abroad has two trucks which bring about 99% of the items that we collect to the MESA warehouse. Those trucks are 18 and 22 years old with a combined 600,000 miles of service. They are failing apart. Our large 26 foot truck was rear-ended last year, and declared totaled by our insurance carrier. We bought the truck from the insurance company for $4,000 on a salvage title. After repairs, we have $17,000 in insurance proceeds to start our truck fund. The total cost to upgrade our two trucks (a 16 foot and a 26 foot) to approximately 2017 models would be $120,000. We need to replace both trucks before next winter. Without these tools, it would be impossible to fulfill MESA’s mission to help those in need around the world.
This Rotary year we have made shipments to Mexico, Belize, Panama, St. Vincent, Lebanon, Poland and Ukraine. 99% of those items arrived at our warehouse on our trucks. Please, help us continue to help those in need. We are asking for a special contribution to MESA’s truck fund. Your contribution can be made in this Rotary year or early in the next Rotary year.
Your contributions can be made payable to MESA and sent to:
Jerry Peacock, Treasurer Medical Equipment & Supplies Abroad 1092 Bending Brook Ln. Waterville, OH, 43566-1612
High in the Andes, an indigenous community had been waiting more than a decade for clean drinking water. Although they had worked with a regional water agency on a plan, they didn't have the funding to put it into effect – until they met a new Rotary club willing to apply for its first global grant. Small in size, the club delivered a big impact. Now 133 families have access to safe drinking water piped from a mountain catchment down to their homes. Read more
This week's stories
Girls speak up through Rotary/Toastmasters alliance
Teenage girls all over the world struggle with self-confidence. Recently, a team of Rotary members and Toastmasters in our Rotary zones set out to help girls build their leadership skills. Both Rotary and Toastmasters International are committed to helping girls embrace their full potential. Learn more
RYLA provides life-changing leadership skills
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive experience, organized by Rotary clubs and districts, where young people develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections. Read about a RYLA academy in Missouri, USA.
Promote World Immunization Week
Join with Rotary to promote the power of vaccines to protect children and save lives. During World Immunization Week, 24-30 April, let’s advocate for polio eradication and the importance of vaccines to the health and well-being of our communities. Download the toolkit for graphics and sample social media posts.
Cultivating Effective Projects webinars
Register now for a series of webinars that will assist you in developing effective projects. The webinars offer tools and strategies to help you plan, find resources for, implement, and evaluate your projects.
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