Recap from the April 22, 2024 Meeting.
 
Meeting run by: President, Megan Francis
 
Thought of the day: Erika Cox
 
Online Participation: We continue to offer a hybrid meeting each week. Members are invited to attend via Zoom or watch the recorded presentation anytime.
Welcome online members: Melanie Alexander.
 
Welcome Guests: Autumn Schultz- Guest of one of our speakers and Alzheimer’s Association volunteer.
 
Happy News/Announcements:  All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
 
Michelle Kelman- In recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Week, thank you to the Alzheimer’s Association volunteers in the room, including Walk committee members and walk day volunteers. Rich Dwyer- There was a great Community Block Party event at the old Skateland. The event was designed to bring community resources to residents in the surrounding neighborhood.
 
Club News:
  • Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
  • ACH forms are available for easy dues payment.
  • Mobile Food Pantry Volunteer Opportunity: Use the link below to sign up for the next Mobile Food Pantry on May 7. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rmtNfi25shfn2S1LYG0e56iVwcMj2VA9X6FB5WU_vS4/edit
  • The tree planting event is scheduled for Friday, May 3rd, at 9 am at Lucas Park. Many hands make light work. Please help recruit volunteers to plant trees in our beautiful park. Email Barth to get involved at barth@donaldcg.com.
  • Barth is still seeking a final donor to contribute $500 to the tree grant shared with The City, Rotary, Donald Consulting, and CBI.  
  • Steve set a date for the garage sale fundraiser. All proceeds will support Rotary projects. May 11th, 8 am-3 pm. Donations can be dropped off at Crossroads the week prior and will be held there.  We will have a pricing event on May 10th. Email Steve and Lindsey at  lphillips@muscatiney.org to let them know how you will participate.
 
Presentation-.  
             Erica Eikren- Alzheimer’s Association Program Manager
Alzheimer’s Association Mission- The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementias- by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
In Iowa, the numbers are staggering and increasing year over year. Over 62K people aged 65 or older are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of Dementia, and 98K caregivers provide over 125Mil hours of unpaid care.
Alzheimer’s is prevalent right here in Muscatine County, where 9-10% of residents are affected by Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is the overarching disease with a variety of different forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Vascular, Lewy Body, and frontotemporal.
10 Health Habits for the brain include Eating healthy, protecting your head, staying in school, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well, and moving.
Know the ten warning signs: memory loss that disrupts daily life, trouble understanding visual images and special relationships, change in mood or personality, and confusion with time and place. A complete list of warning signs and education can be found at alz.org.
 
Michelle Kelman- Senior Development Specialist with the Alzheimer’s Association
The two largest fundraisers for the Alzheimer's Association are The Walk to End Alzheimer’s and The Longest Day. The Muscatine Walk is on September 27th on the Riverfront. The Longest Day is an individual fundraiser on the summer solstice. The Dementia and Alzheimer's Rotary Action Group (DARAG) is another way to get involved in fundraising and global awareness with other Rotarians. There are many ways to get involved: start a team, schedule an education presentation for your staff, or volunteer.
 
Scott Shultz- Owner Impact Fitness and Nutrition & Walk to End Alzheimer's volunteer
Scott shared his story of losing his parents to Alzheimer’s. He challenged Rotary and the Muscatine community to flood the riverfront on September 27th for the 5th annual Muscatine Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Register today at https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2024/IA-Iowa?fr_id=17575&pg=entry.
 
 
Passcode: Rotary#1
 
 
Next Meetings: April 29th – In Meeting Literacy Service Project; May 6th- Flickinger Center; May 13th- Chemo Riders; May 20th- Xicotepec Project; May 27th- No Meeting.