New River Falls Rotary member Steve McCarthy, Executive Director of St Croix Valley United Way, spoke to the club about United Way's work focusing on individuals and families in the category of "Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed" (ALICE).  Often characterized as the working poor, ALICE households are not able to thrive despite their hard work.  The fact that the ALICE group includes one in three households in our region is as disappointing as it is shocking.  United Way has plans and actions to improve the future for individuals and families in this demographic group.

 

Of Wisconsin households, 34% struggle to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, health care, child care, and transportation. There are nearly 549,313 (23%) ALICE households in Wisconsin, more than double the number of households living below the poverty line. Combined with those in poverty, 812,273 (33%) households are not able to make ends meet in WI. The percentage in Pierce County is 37%.

 

About the Presentation:  As part of the Kinni Corridor Plan implementation, the City of River Falls signed a Federal Cost Share Agreement between the City and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to study both the cost and environmental benefits of restoring the Kinnickinnic River to its natural setting by removing one or both hydroelectric dams. By signing this agreement, the City and the USACE will enter into the study phase. Recommendations from the study will then be presented to City Council. If the City agrees to move forward with recommendations, Federal funding of up to $10 million would be available for removal of one or both of the dams. Amy Peterson will share a bit of project history and more details on what the community can expect as the project moves forward.

 

About the Speaker:  As Community Development Director for the City of River Falls, Amy leads a diverse team that encompasses economic development, planning and zoning, building inspections, code enforcement and engineering. Amy and her husband Dan live in River Falls, and Amy is a River Falls Rotarian.

New KRLT Executive Director Steve Leonard updated us on the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust. For 30 years, KRLT has worked with the community to protect the Kinnickinnic watershed (from north of Hammond and Roberts down to the Kinnickinnic State Park).  The presentation focused on the recent purchase of the Community Forest: community support which made it possible; future plans to make the trails more accessible; and how local schools will use this site and the adjacent School Forest as an outdoor classroom.  

Diaper Drive is "going gangbusters" - let's keep it going:  Rotary and Ezekiel are collecting diapers and donations for purchase of diapers for St Croix Valley United Way.  This is in response to a need Steve McCarthy mentioned in his talk  about the work of SCV United Way.  Click Read More for the full description of the project.  And by the way, the Amazon link works very well if you choose to donate that way!

 

Joke of the Week Reader Challenge:  We're stretching last week's admittedly stretchy joke by asking you to come up with wordplay on the same theme.  Thanks to Tony Pedriana for submitting the two that led to this idea; see his first two down below.  And be warned, Scott -- more to come!

Club in D5960 Hits the Century Mark!  Linda received an email announcing that the current RI President will be visiting Rice Lake as they celebrate their club's 100th anniversary.  While they are close to capacity for the event, they have offered us the possibility of attending.  Click Read More for details.