Aurora Missouri Rotary Club

Julie Conway, Director at Children's Miracle Network Hospitals At Coxhealth, spoke to Rotarians in December 12. Shannon Walker introduced Conway.

When you give to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals, 100% of your donations help local kids. They have an office in all 32 counties in Missouri. CoxHealth provides our operating budget, which means no money is taken from your donations or proceeds for administrative costs.
This allows us to do more for the kids in our community. Your donation allows us to:
Help over 100,000 kids every year in southwest Missouri and north central Arkansas
Help families with medical travel expenses for out-of-town appointments
Assist uninsured children and families that have insurance but cannot afford the high cost of their deductible, copays and out-of-pocket medical expenses
Provide children with the prescriptions and special medical equipment, like wheelchairs, leg braces, hearing aids and more, that they need
Cover a child's CoxHealth hospital and therapy bills
Provide life-saving equipment for area hospitals and ambulances
Fund the following educational programs:
WASTED: Anti-drinking and driving program
Never Shake a Baby: Dedicated to preventing shaken baby syndrome through education
CARDIAC Kids: Identifies area children and youth at risk for developing health problems
Bicycle safety
Water safety
Car seat safety
Financially support the CoxHealth Child Life Program, which provides fun activities for children during their hospital visits to help provide a sense of normalcy
Fund the CARE Mobile, a mobile medical unit that provides basic health care services to uninsured and underinsured children
Provide meal trays for families with children hospitalized at CoxHealth and meal vouchers for families of infants staying in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Help children with all illnesses and injuries, including cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, prematurity and accidents, among others
Assist in funding local school-based telemedicine
Conway says that the are under a National Umbrella as an organization, the National Center attracts large donations and collaborators to work to raise funds. “Wal-Mart is our largest donor, when you round up your change at check out it really makes an impact.” Said Conway.
The area Walmart stores has a healthy competition on-going between themselves and the Republic Store holds the trophy for raising over $20,000 on the latest drive.

They do have an application process that potential families can access on their website; coxhealthcmn.com.

Kevin Yount, president of the Board of Directors for the Children's Smile Center, spoke to Aurora Rotary members on November 28th. Assisted by fellow board member and AHS alumni Kim McCully-Mobley, Yount spoke about the upcoming renovations at the Aurora location at 3 East Church in downtown Aurora.

Other Houn' Dawg board members are Calli Stringer Fronabarger and Charlie Chambers. Past Houn' Dawg board members include Scott Pettit and Darrin Newbold.

The A Team CEO is Jackie Barger, who had another commitment that day. Jake McCully introduced the duo--who spoke about the upcoming exterior project, tentatively set to begin in 2024 to the tune of $300,000 to $400,000. Overall, it will sharpen the look of the building, greet folks to the downtown area, continue to show off the All Roads Lead Home Mural on the north side and eventually be across the street from a downtown pavilion.

The Smile Center also has locations in Ozark and Branson West. Last year, over 5,000 children here were assisted with their dental needs.

The announcement of two big grants involving the Smile Center was also made that day. The Aurora Alumni Center I Still Can't Smile Without You grant received from the Delta Foundation will also benefit Project Rise amd Bright Futures next year.

Last week at Rotary-Shannon Walker introduced our speaker Tara Bucholtz, Director Bright Futures.
Shannon has served on the advisory board of Bright Futures since its inception.
Buchholz the Director of Bright Futures gave a report on the Houn’ Dawg clothing closet that is located at every school within the Aurora school district for any child attending Aurora schools.
Students can receive shoes, socks, underwear, or Houn’ Dawg T-shirts.
Sweatpants, Aurora Houn‘ Dawg T-shirts, sweatshirts for boys and for girls leggings and Houn’ Dawg T-shirts or sweatshirts in sizes from pre-school to adult are the best items to donate.
Donations can be dropped off at the School Central office in Madison street. There is also a thrift store located behind Robison school that is opened one a week and on special Saturday pop ups.
Bucholtz went on to explain how the pandemic affected the program and shared hopes for the future as they restructure to more effectively serve the students of Aurora.
Networking with other groups in organizations is one of the most important parts of her job. Pointing people in the right direction to meet their immediate needs that are larger than what Bright Futures can do.
She has helped many families so far find help with electric reconnects or avoiding shut offs and getting children beds, mattresses and pillows.
Buchholz thanked the Rotarians and the Aurora community for always coming through when there is an immediate meeting. Reinstating the adopt a classroom is one thing she intends to do to bring the community members together with the students. If individuals or businesses are interested you may contact Tara at Robinson Elementary.
She also shared these statistics :
1 in 7 children in the United States lives in poverty. That's nearly 7 million children in this country who are struggling to have their basic needs met. 7 million children who are simply trying to survive. Although the national statistics may seem insurmountable, the solution to overcoming the obstacles created by poverty exists within each of our local communities. This is where Bright Futures can help. We shift the focus from national to local. We are a non-profit organization that brings together faith-based organizations, human services agencies, and businesses in partnership with families to serve our purpose: to quickly meet basic needs and create new opportunities for our children and youth so they can succeed in school and beyond.
Bright Futures Programs
Back to Schol Bash
Blue Barrel- a way to collect specific needs.
Hope for the Holidays- a partnership with the Aurora Chamber and AUMC to provide Christmas gifts to district families
• Houn' Dawg Clothing Closet/Care Closets- meeting the basic needs of our students within 24 hours

Such a pleasure to welcome Mt. Vernon Rotary Club President, Marsha Jones .. she talked about Soles for Souls project

Special guests Sam and Marsha Jones, from the Mt. Vernon Rotary club visited the Aurora club today. Pictured with President Carrie Howlett.

Marsha discussed a project from the District Governor-President Elect. Soles for Souls. Closed toe shoes will be collected from each of the ten Missouri clubs for children up to age 18. No boxes will be accepted, they ask that the donated shoes are rubber banded together.

Special thanks to Aurora School Board President Mark McCully and Aurora Superintendent Dr. Ben Yocom, for the updates on Aurora R-8 School District

Houn' Dawg Football joined us today... Great program, fantastic group of young men who are going to great things

Happy 18th birthday, Wyatt Lawson

Hannah Rader and Ashley Kennedy were the guest speakers at Rotary on October 10th.
The ladies shared regarding the formation of a new non-profit organization in Aurora called The Aurora Downtown Project. They are hoping to gain the Main Street Missouri Community Empowerment Grant to help revitalize the Aurora Downtown area. They will hear by November 15th if they have been awarded the grant.
The group is also busy planning the 2nd annual Community Christmas Event that will take place the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.
They are planning many of the same festivities that were held last year as well as a few new additions.
Rotary member Chad Estes will be the Master of Ceremonies.
They hope to have 50+ vendors, food trucks, children’s bounce house, pictures with Santa, a Cookie eating contest, Santa calling contest and a corn hole tournament .
The group is taking volunteers for the day of the event and donations from businesses and individuals. You may contact them via their website: aurora-downtown-project.square.site

Hey, we know you don't want to miss caramel apples and fresh pop corn!!! Come see us at the 39th Annual Aurora Auto Fest in Oak Park!!!

Aurora City Manager, Jon Holmes spoke to the Aurora Rotary club recently.

The 2024 budget has been set, the graphics attached show how the funds are received and how they are divided between city business.

“The City of Aurora is completely debt free.” Announced Holmes.
The pay-off of the 20 year note on the Police and Fire Station was the last debt the City owed.
Holmes credits the dedicated and thoughtful City Council that makes frugal, but necessary decisions as well as Department heads that are conscientious when it comes to staying within their budgets.
Holmes never takes much credit but it certainly helps having a City Manager whose expertise lies in finding grants, skillfully writing them and successfully being awarded funds.
“I enjoy finance and economics and am so pleased to be working with such a great team. “I want the public to know we are completely transparent with where the City funds come from and where they go.”Holmes said.

The City has a webpage that includes all of the business related facts and figures which is updated annually.
Aurora, MO | Official Website
aurora-cityhall.org

Thank you so much to the Aurora Houn' Dawg Volleyball team for coming and speaking with us today!!! Good luck on your game tonight and especially the Seniors!!!

Guests, Mark Hudson and Mike Carr, co-owners of Majestic Milling Company were introduced by Rotarian Jack Muench, Tuesday September 12.

Hudson is a 13 generation native of Jenkins Missouri and a Cassville High School alumni.
Hudson announced some exciting expansions for the Aurora Mill.
With the demand rising for organic and non-GMO seeds, foods, and livestock feed the company is increasing their shipping/receiving division using the rail system.
“We have put in new track and a switch as well as purchasing a railroad mini engine- transport mover.” Said Hudson.
This will allow them to receive up to 5 cars filled with soybean or corn at a time. Most cars are left for 48- 96 hours before they have to be picked up .
“Aurora will be our transportation hub as we anticipate this division of our business to continue to grow.” Added Hudson.
Currently Majestic Milling employs 35 people in Aurora producing 120-130 tons of product a day.
Working one-on-one with local farmers with education and help in getting farms certified as ‘organic’ farms is another area the company is focusing on.
The company motto is ‘Farmers supporting Farmers’ by offering seed sales and buy back programs as well as on-farm delivery, custom batching and complete tracking and traceability.
“We can formulate the dietary needs for many different animals and life cycles. We have several egg’s companies that want the yokes a specific color and we are able to meet those needs.” Said Mike Carr.
It is exciting to see a company equipping Missouri farmers with tools, education and opportunities to keep the land producing and helping pave the way toward future success.

Don't forget to come see us tomorrow at Aurora High School.

This is our first blood drive of the school year.

All you "party animals" who show up to donate will get a free t- shirt, some snacks and two tickets to the Dickerson Park Zoo.

We start at 11 a.m. and finish up at 4 p.m.

One unit of blood saves three lives!

Last week the Aurora Missouri Rotary Club had the honor of hosting our new District Governer- pictured below is District Governor, Pam Crawford & Aurora Rotary Club President Carrie Howlett- a little about Pam: Pam joined Bartlesville Daybreak Rotary in 2015 at the urging of her husband, Paul, who had joined in 2010. When they attended their first International Convention in Atlanta in 2017, she became a total convert to Rotary. To be part of an international organization doing so much good in the world, she was hooked. Pam Crawford will serve as 6110 District Governor until July 1st 2024

Here is a great shot of the one and only Coach Poss Jackson showing off that possum grin on Kelley Field during the 1970s.

Jackson is a legend in Aurora and was an inaugural member of the Houn' Dawg Hall of Fame.

An old Rotary songbook from 1925 has found its way back to Aurora. Someone needs to learn these songs!

Aurora Park Board President Deb Dillman spoke at today's meeting of the Aurora Rotary Club. She outlined park board roles and talked about the summer popups.

Members Pete Young and Scott Pettit were yearning for some summer fun after the meeting.

Carrie Howlett did a great job of leading the meeting. Discussion also focused on the successful Chamber Banquet held Saturday at AHS. Aurora Rotary was well represented in the awards department, as well.

Happy Hot Friday!

I am working on our list of events and projects to feature for the Small Town Showcase event.
As you know, Aurora is one of the communities to be featured following an intense contest this summer.

I have several things listed for 2023, but would like to start a list of projects, organizations, celebrations and festivities for 2024.

If you want to be included in my report to Missouri Humanities for Aurora's turn in the spotlight, feel free to post here or send me an email to [email protected].

I will need the name of the event, dates, place, sponsoring organization, contact person and information, a good email, etc.

We want to showcase our fine traditions, our strong people, our colorful history and culture, as well as our creativity and resourcefulness.

Outgoing President Wes Coatney was presented with the traditional gavel today at the Aurora Rotary Club meeting in appreciation of his year of service as club president. Carrie Howlett took over as incoming president today.

Rotarian Dennis Baker introduced his guest Todd Wright from the Springfield Cardinals as today's program. Wright serves as senior community marketing and faith-based coordinator.

Wright spoke about the revamped program with new owners and improved partnerships to focus on fans, events, fellowship and things inherent to Springfield and the surrounding communities.

Aurora Rotary members heard from James Hoffman, the District's new activities director, and Coach Brandon Pitts today. Activities, community connections and Houn' Dawg pride were the order of the day. Summer Football Captains were introduced as Michael Barrientos, Jax Prater and Jose Ibarra. Bill Baker had the program.

Mark Spillane received a warm Houn' Dawg welcome at today's meeting of the Aurora Rotary Club at Mercy Aurora.

He serves as the news director at KY3.

His power point included an overview of his hometown of Sparta, New Jersey and his trek to southwest Missouri and his lifelong love of sports.

Pete Young gave an introduction amd explained how he and Spillane met at Table Rock Lake.

Mercy Hospital representatives talked about their upcoming benefit run and the Helping Hands program that they collect for through the year at Mercy Aurora.

Funds can be used to help patients get home or obtain necessary prescriptions upon release. Aurora Rotary President Wes Coatney discussed the need for a new president elect, new signage installed by Bill Baker and Scott Pettit and upcoming events in the community.

Coatney also urged members to support the families of the victims of the June 3rd Highway 39 tragedy.

Aurora Rotary will celebrate its Centennial birthday in 2025. The club meets on Tuesdays at noon at Mercy Aurora.

Travis Wittenborn spoke to Aurora Rotary today about his role as interim parks director for the City of Aurora.

https://forms.gle/hEtBzy7FxLJcv9uP9

Please cast your vote for Aurora!

The Summit City is in the running for the 2024 Missouri Humanities Small Town Showcase, along with about 35 other communities in Missouri. (Voting started today!)

This would be a great opportunity for us to show off our projects, our colorful history, our mission, our vision, our school-community partnerships and the best part---our people.

Vote early. Vote often. Just vote/vote/vote!

We are truly: One town. One Team. One Heartbeat.

2024 Small Town Showcase Nominees Help select our 2024 Featured Five communities! You may vote for up to five communities. Voting will close on July 15th, and the five communities with the most votes will be featured in our 2024 Small Town Showcase. If you'd like to read the about the towns as submitted by the communities, visit moh...

Aurora Rotary Club members had a front row seat for the Wound Care Clinic ribbon-cutting at Mercy Hospital in Aurora. This will be a wonderful asset to our community and surrounding areas in terms of expanding quality health care services.

Zach Troutman was today's program at Aurora Rotary. A guest of Kim McCully-Mobley, he discussed tough conversations, active parenting, su***de prevention, mental health, boundaries, his faith and leadership.

Jasmine Buchholz introduced Troutman in behalf of Youth Empowerment Project and the Aurora High School Leadership Program.

Troutman is a former football player for Evangel University and started a program called Follow The Leader. He has already been made an honorary Houn' Dawg.

Aurora's own Brad Boettler talked all things Habitat for Humanity at this week's meeting. Boettler serves on the local board of Aurora Highlands Habitat for Humanity. He is the construction coordinator.

Mark McCully is president and Kim McCully-Mobley is secretary. Ana Aparicio is the treasurer. Aurora formed its charter in 1993. There are currently eight Habitat homes in Aurora.

Boettler is involved with Project Rise, Aurora Beautification and Youth Empowerment Project. He is also the administrator at the Alt School.

Aurora Rotary recently made a donation to the Houn' Dawg Alumni & Outreach Center in memory of David McCully. Accepting the check was Chad Estes. Others on hand were Brenda Lakin, treasure, and Wes Coatney, president.

Aurora's Rotary Club has quite a colorful history. The Club was chartered on Christmas Eve in 1925. The date was chosen on purpose by all accounts to send a message of faith, hope and love. Plus, the group wanted to hit the ground running at the start of a new year.

The Roaring 20s were in full force with dance halls, opera houses, newspapers, concerts, livestock fairs and more in the Summit City of the Ozarks. Yet a group of folks wanted to create a service and networking group to do even more for the school and community.

And did they ever manage to do some great things!

We will be digging through the archives of Aurora Rotary history the next two years in order to share some stories to help kick off a special writing project for 100 Years of Aurora Rotary in 2025.

Stay tuned and Happy New Year!

Do you have an Aurora Rotary story to share? Email [email protected].

Here are some more photos of today's Rotary Program. It is obvious we have some wonderful Houn' Dawgs who care about their community...their school district and the 10,000 families they serve.

We are so blessed and fortunate to live, work and play where folks are phenomenal...all the time. The laughter and fellowship today were contagious.

Thank you to Brad Blankenship for a great program about the cemeteries in Aurora... we appreciate all you and Jay Lee do for our community!

JAG Students visited the meeting today! Jobs for America's Graduates, Holly Harmon leads this great group as the Aurora High School... they support the Houn Dawg Clothing closet, a Blessings Box at the High School... they stay focused on community service.

Look at the awesome Aurora Rotary Club tree at City Hall.. Thanks Kate & Wes Coatney for doing such a great job!!

Today President Wes Coatney presented City Manager Jon Holmes with a check in support of the city hall Christmas trees.... Aurora Rotary Club will have one of the special trees at City Hall..

There is still time if you are interested in “buying” a tree for City Hall! Be sure to order soon so we can have them ready!
Pricing:
Please refer to the picture for sizing comparison.
City Hall Decorations Christmas Tree Pricing
Tree “A” - $75.00 - 8ft Tree with 1ft base
Tree “B” - $50.00 - 6ft tree with 1ft base
Tree “C” - $40.00 - 4ft tree with 1ft base
Tree “D” - $60.00 - 8ft tree with 1ft base
Tree “E” - $65.00 - 6ft tree with 1ft base
All donations will be used for Christmas Decorations for City Hall and the Downtown area!
Call City Hall at 417-678-5121 Ext. 200

Thank you David Timmons of Jimmy Michel Motors for a great presentation about electric vehicles.. Check out the Lighting!!!

Tron Peterson was a guest at Aurora Rotary today. He spoke about the Lodge of Hope, Peterson Outdoor Ministries and the ongoing work with veterans and first responders. Rhonda Sexton introduced him.