From the President

On Tuesday evening, July 12, a group of Rotarians attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for 66 West Apartments, which is located at the old TCF Bank building on 66th Street in Edina, between Xerxes and France. A year from now that facility will open to accommodate 39 young adults who have experienced homelessness. This project is spearheaded by the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, with support from many churches and organizations in Edina and the surrounding suburbs.

Our Community Service—Local Funding Committee, headed by Keith Benson (shown here second from left at the groundbreaking with fellow Rotarians Jim Ryman, San Asato and Tom Cook), has been working hard on obtaining a $9,000 matching grant from District 5950 for the $30,000 Community Room at 66 West. This is our Signature Project for the 2016–2017 Rotary year. We found out last Monday that the grant request has been approved by the district. The project was able to receive this large of a matching grant due to collaboration with six other Rotary clubs. As we we get closer to the open date for 66 West, we will have to provide "sweat equity," which will involve setting up furniture along with other tasks.

The contribution from our club, which will total just under $15,000, will be the result of the Edina Rotary Foundation Fundraiser & Gala, set for Oct. 1, 2016. This is just one of many projects that our club can be part of because of the fundraiser.

We are excited that 66 West will call it the "Rotary Community Room" and the room will feature a sign recognizing all the clubs that are involved. This project is truly evidence of "Rotary Serving Humanity."