‘Service Above Self’ is club’s motto
Has been serving Fort Morgan community for over 85 years
The Rotary Club of Fort Morgan has been serving the Fort Morgan community for over 85 years. Their motto, “Service Above Self,” is the driving force that keeps members focused on making positive impacts in the lives of their neighbors.
Globally, Rotary has committed to promoting peace; fighting disease; providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene; working to save mothers and children from harm and disease; supporting education; growing local entrepreneurs and economies; and most recently, protecting the environment and natural resources. Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity. These values are supported by the local Rotary Club, where all are welcome.
Locally, the Rotary Club of Fort Morgan also raises funds to provide student scholarships through various fundraising events. In 2021 under the leadership of then-President Carol Johnson, Rotary Club of Fort Morgan awarded three $1,000 scholarships to local students. Recipients of Rotary Scholarships have gone on to study in many different subjects, and many of these students have become successful in their fields nationally, abroad, and right here at home.
Rotary of Fort Morgan has been delivering lunch and meals to seniors and disabled folks in the community through the Meals on Wheels program every Friday for years. This is no small undertaking, as three Rotary volunteers are needed each week to make this happen. Additionally, other Rotary members volunteer throughout the week at the Gene Doty Senior Center and as drivers to help make sure that folks get meals delivered Monday through Friday. For the past two years, the Rotary Club has also been delivering a gift bag to meal recipients during December just to remind our seniors that they are remembered and valued during the holidays.
This past April, Rotary volunteers, along with Fort Morgan Mayor Lyn Deal and some Lions Club members participated in a day of service event to assist those unable to do an outdoor spring cleaning in their yards. Volunteers removed many, many bags of leaves and other debris, raked, mowed, and trimmed around yards throughout Fort Morgan. A community service day is a long-standing tradition among Rotary clubs.
Other events, volunteer activities and donations provided by the Rotary Club of Fort Morgan this past year included: serving dinner to Cargill employees at the Bobstock Music Festival (Cargill is a major sponsor of Bobstock), serving hot chocolate and cookies at Fort Morgan Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Parade, hosting an annual Chili Cookoff in December, and donating two bike repair stations located at Riverside Park and the Fort Morgan Fieldhouse.
In July, the Club had its annual leadership change with Jody Strouse becoming president and Loren Boyett president-elect for July 2023. Changing leadership annually encourages new ideas and gives all members a chance to contribute to the growth and development of the Club and community.
All Rotary decisions, activities, and endeavors are measured against The Club’s Four-Way Test.
Club members review and recite the following questions at the end of each meeting: Of the things we think, say, or do:
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotary Club of Fort Morgan meets each Tuesday at noon for lunch and fellowship at The Block, located at 19592 E. Eighth Ave. in Fort Morgan. If you are interested in exploring Rotary and what we do, all are encouraged to contact Wayne Johnson at 970-7683350. Help keep our wheel turning and make our community better for all for the next 85 years and beyond.
Whether your kids are already back in school or enjoying their last couple weeks of summer vacation, it’s a great time to get your kid in for a child wellness exam.
As much as children may protest going to the doctor, yearly well checks are an important part of making sure your child stays as healthy as can be.
It’s important for every child to have annual checkups even if they seem healthy.
“This visit is also a good time for your doctor to connect with both you and your child. Annual health exams are a great way for us to make certain your child is growing and developing normally and are
important because we can screen for medical problems such as weight issues, vision problems, diabetes, heart disease and more,” said Kirsten Storey, DO, pediatrician for Banner Health.
Back-to-school checkups
Typical back-to-school checkups vary from state to state, and different school districts may have different requirements. However, among the basics a doctor will check are height, weight and blood pressure and how these compare to their peers. These checkups may also include hearing and vision tests. If your child has an acute or chronic illness, such as a food allergy or asthma, be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about your care regimen.
“This visit is also a great time to get all paperwork filled out for school. If your
child plays sports, he or she may need to have special forms completed to allow him or her to play,” Dr. Storey said.
A sports physical includes a physical examination and medical history, including previous hospitalizations, past injuries and more. You should also be ready to answer questions about your family’s medical history. Immunizations Depending on your child’s age, a checkup may also include some immunizations. Again, the state or the school board may have certain requirements for what vaccinations your child will need, so be sure to check to see what your child will need.
Typically, the first set of required school vaccinations occurs for children between the ages of 4 and 6.
“No one likes getting shots, but they help keep us from getting sick when we are around a lot of other people, like when we are starting to go to school,” Storey said.
The first set of booster immunizations are given between ages 4 and 6. These shots include DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis – also known as whooping cough), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), varicella (chicken pox), polio, and depending on the time of year maybe a flu shot.
Before entering the seventh grade and usually between the ages of 11 and 12, your child will require another vaccination booster. This one is for tetanus and diphtheria, if it has been longer than five years since the initial shot.
“Now is a great time to schedule your child’s annual health exam to avoid the rush,” Storey said.
To schedule your child’s annual health exam with a Banner Health Provider in Brush or Fort Morgan, call 970-842-6262.