Stories


The Third Place There are three things homeless persons find themselves missing: home, work, and community. One center in the Quad Cities offers the opportunity for all three, especially the latter. The Third Place not only gives its clientele the chance to find places to live and work, but also a chance to connect with others. Christie Adamson helped establish this center in Rock Island, IL. She told the Rotary Club of HOPE at its October 15th meeting that people living on the street lose their connections to home and family; they offer a meeting center, which gives them a chance to talk to others and stay connected to the outside world. She originally estimated they would have 30 to 40 visitors a week; in just a year, that has grown to as many as 150 people a day. They provide opportunities such as employment services, meals, and health services; and more basic needs such as restrooms, charging stations, and a place to get out of the weather. The Third Place QC is located at 2000 Third Avenue in Rock Island, IL 61201. For more information, call (309) 553-3461	The Third Place		2026-10-19 05:00:00Z	0
Scripture Sisters: Bibles & Backpacks Another grassroots effort to help the homeless in and around Des Moines has been underway since February of this year; the organizers say they want to expand their small efforts, and reach out to more people as time goes on. Alyssa Clausen and Fallon Harwood joined the Rotary Club of HOPE at its September 17th meeting; their Bibles & Backpacks campaign seeks to gather donations of clothing, hygiene supplies, food, and backpacks to hold them all. Each one would also contain a Bible, offering spiritual & physical comfort together. They have only been out two or three times so far, but want to collect more items & hold a packing event in advance of their next mission. Anyone interested in helping out can contact Bibles & Backpacks at scripturesisters12@gmail.com	Scripture Sisters: Bibles & Backpacks		2026-09-22 05:00:00Z	0
Humilty Homes Expands Operations Ashley Velez-Hagler, CEO for Humility Homes and Services, spoke with the Rotary Club of HOPE at the August 6th meeting. She says while they continue to maintain emergency shelter services, there is increased need and emphasis on providing long-term housing needs. Humility is in the process of adding 11 new units for that purpose; and the development of a regional homeless plan is bringing together more resources from both sides of the state line. A recording of the meeting can be found HERE. Further information is available from their website at https://www.humilityhomes.org	Humilty Homes Expands Operations		2026-08-12 05:00:00Z	0
Homeless Veterans Stand Down There are many veterans who find themselves homeless after their time in the service; whenever they were discharged, they somehow wound up falling through the cracks in the country they served. The Homeless Veterans Stand Down will again be held near downtown Des Moines, from September 18th to 20th. Jessica Chapman is this year's chair for the event; she told the Rotary Club of HOPE at its July 16th meeting that they will again offer food, clothing, shelter, and general assistance with the needs of these overlooked veterans. A recording of the meeting can be found HERE It starts Friday, September 18th; the traditional Veterans Hour has been expanded to all of Friday evening. The general public is invited on Saturday and Sunday morning. Those wishing to donate or volunteer can contact Jessica at jchapmanhvs@gmail.com for more information.	Homeless Veterans Stand Down		2026-07-19 05:00:00Z	0
Homeless Veterans Stand Down - Des Moines HOMELESS VETERANS STAND DOWN to be held September 12 - 14, 2025 at 1422 Scott Avenue, Des Moines (just off SE 14th Street by the viaduct). If you are homeless or at risk of being homeless, attend the Homeless Veterans Stand Down for assistance including employment opportunities dentistry and medical veterans benefits school supplies flu shots legal assistance shelter assistance new and used clothing haircuts games, entertainment and more Meals will be served Friday (dinner), Saturday (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and Sunday (breakfast and lunch to go).	Homeless Veterans Stand Down - Des Moines		2025-08-14 05:00:00Z	0
Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick. This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year. The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic. Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley. Read more...	Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
Rotary at the Start of the United Nations Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world. During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” Read more...	Rotary at the Start of the United Nations		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
History of Women in Rotary Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary. “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings. Read more...	History of Women in Rotary		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.” Read more...	Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0
First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia In early 1919, Rotarian Roger Pinneo of Seattle, Washington, USA, traveled to the Philippines to try to organize a Rotary club in Manila. Leon J. Lambert, a Manila business leader helped Pinneo establish the club. Several months later, on 1 June 1919, the Rotary Club of Manila was chartered and became the first Rotary club in Asia. The club would be the only one in the country for more than 12 years. Eventually, Manila club members organized Rotary clubs in the Philippine cities of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). Iloilo club members then started a club in Bacolod (1937), and Rotary continued to expand across the country. Read more...	First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia		2020-11-05 06:00:00Z	0