The Fifth Tuesday meeting last week ended Rotary's coat collections for Our Neighbors' Place.  In addition to the pile of coats in our meeting room, some were delivered to the ONP Day Center, and others in bins went later.

 

ONP Executive Director Shelly Smith updated us on ONP's programs, which have recently expanded from 4 to 5.  In addition to the Day Center, Clothing Closet, Backpack Program, and Transitional Housing, ONP has recently added a new program called Helping Hands.  This new program came about through a collaborative community effort when the Assistance and Resource Center, generally known as ARC, closed.  The Helping Hands program addresses a range of short-term needs for financial and services help.  Shelly noted that a particular emphasis of Helping Hands is on assistance that will help families to maintain stable housing.  Shelly provided 5 very helpful slides with more detail; click Download Files below to see them.

 

Reminder.  There will be no meeting on Tuesday December 24th.

Ryan Brill and 8 students presented about the  River Falls High School “9149 Robocats” robotics team.  Ryan provided background on the team and himself:  Ryan is in his 18^th year teaching, and he brings experience with robotics to RFHS.  Program, which is in it 3^rd year.  The club is an extracurricular, funded by local businesses, clubs, etc.  The budget is about $12-15,000 for equipment and travel.  Ryan teaches engineering and tech subject as his teaching focus.  The robotics team integrates several sub-teams: software/programming, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and media teams.  Ryan emphasized that robotics has been extended to Meyer Middle School and Westside Elementary.  Further extending to other schools is on the horizon.  Ryan added that last years RFHS team size was 22, with 34 signed up this year.  Click READ MORE for the full story.