Monday, December 18 was our last regular meeting of 2023. As we reflect on a terrific 2023, we were reminded of the importance of life and the value of DONATING LIFE through organ, eye, and tissue donation. Did you know, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant? Transplants rely on the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors, and there are not enough donors to meet the need. Today we welcomed Kari Frame, Community Outreach Coordinator for Donate Life Indiana, who shared how important being a donor is, how the process works, and more about Donate Life Indiana's mission.
Donate Life Indiana seeks to:
- Raise awareness: We raise awareness and create opportunities for all Indiana residents to sign up on our official state registry.
- Advocate: We engage Indiana communities about organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
- Educate: We provide public education opportunities and materials for organizations.
Donate Life America is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization leading its national partners and Donate Life State Teams to increase the number of donated organs, eyes and tissues available to save and heal lives through transplantation while developing a culture where donation is embraced as a fundamental human responsibility. DLA owns, manages and promotes Donate Life℠, the national logo and brand for the cause of donation; motivates the public to register as organ, eye and tissue donors; provides education about living donation; manages the National Donate Life Registry at RegisterMe.org; and develops and executes effective multi-media campaigns to promote donation.
Kari Frame was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. She currently lives in Lakeville, Indiana. Kari works full time at Indiana Donor Network doing Community Outreach. She holds her Associate’s Degree in Paramedic Health Science and is an American Heart Association CPR instructor. You will find Kari to be knowledgeable, energetic, eager to learn, and helpful. Kari is married to Tyler and is a proud mom of Evelyn and Josephine who are the pride and joy or her life. Spending time with family, enjoying a girl’s brunch, cycling outside, peloton workouts, cooking, and going to the lake are some of her favorite ways to make memories with those she loves! One of her passions is to help people live happier and healthier!
Our Rotary Brass Plate has been STOLEN! But it wasn't a Grinch, it was Jim Snodgrass! Jim has noticed, as many of us have, our plate is a bit tarnished. Brasso® to the rescue! Jim has graciously volunteered to clean the plate over the holiday, returning it to our club in January, fresh and clean for a fresh new year, 2024! Here's a "before" picture... can't wait to see the "after". THANK YOU, Jim!
Running List of Rotary Event Announcements
Rotarians are an integral and engaged part of our active community! Here’s a list of upcoming events represented by Rotarians from the Elkhart Rotary Club. If you’d like more information, contact the Rotarian listed for the event or email elkhartnoonrotary@gmail.com and your message will be forwarded to them. Are you a Rotarian with an event to share? Put it in the format below and email to Eric Garton, he’ll add it to the list.
THREE MORE NIGHTS! December 23, 26, and 27, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Winter Wonderland Holiday Lights at Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Bigger and Brighter than ever with over 1.4 million lights! You can purchase tickets at the gate when you arrive, or in advance at https://35522.blackbaudhosting.com/35522/tickets?tab=3&txobjid=5b77815b-9227-4b15-bfb7-fed9c934479e
Early May, 2024. In September, Rotarian Carl Dickerson of Dickerson Literacy Initiatives presented a program at the club about a project in Costa Rica in cooperation with Peace Corps volunteers to distribute books in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Rotarians have distributed books in recent years in connection with eye clinics from IU and the Goshen Rotary Club. We are considering doing a trip to Costa Rica in early May that would distribute books in connection with five Peace Corps volunteers and also distribute eyeglasses that will be made for people from a February 2024 eye clinic trip. If you wish to support such a trip or travel with the group, contact either Doug Risser or Ashley Bowen for more information.
