May Utah Rotary Newsletter

District 5420 Newsletter - May 2026

The world feels Rotary's heartbeat

There are moments in Rotary when we are reminded that service is not just something we do—it is who we are. Our district-wide Shoes for Orphan Souls project has been one of those moments.

While final numbers are still being collected, one thing is already certain: the response from District 5420 has been extraordinary.

Across our district, clubs, members, families, and friends stepped forward with open hearts and generous hands. Shoes were gathered, donations were made, and countless hours were given—all with one purpose: to bring dignity, comfort, and hope to children who have so little.

Think about what a pair of shoes truly means. It is protection for tender feet. It is confidence to walk into a classroom. It is freedom to run, play, and dream. It is a reminder to a child, somewhere in this world, that they matter.

That is what you have done. You have taken something simple and turned it into something sacred. You have shown that when Rotarians unite for good, even the smallest gift can create life-changing impact.

I am deeply proud of our district. Proud of your compassion. Proud of your willingness to act. Proud to serve as your District Governor during a year when I have witnessed, time and time again, the remarkable generosity that lives within District 5420.

To every club that collected shoes, every member who donated, every volunteer who sorted, packed, lifted, organized, and cared—thank you.

Because of you, children will walk into tomorrow with greater hope.

And because of you, the world feels Rotary’s heartbeat.

With Gratitude and Admiration,

Your friend and District Governor, Suzanne Leoneelli-Wilhelm

Utah Rotary Service in Action this April

Imagine - that in 2026 America, your family has no running water and you must drive 15-20 miles several times a week to collect water in 5 to 50-gallon containers.

This has been the situation for people living in the Oljato Chapter of the Navajo Nation for generations - until more than a dozen Utah Rotary clubs collaborated to manufacture 15 trailers and thirty 275-gallon water tanks and deliver them to the residents of the Navajo Nation in April.

This amazing Service above Self project successfully capped a year of planning and the hard work of soliciting more than $43,000 in donations from clubs and individual members throughout Utah Rotary District 5420. The trailers cost $1,650 each and the water containers $325 each.

In early April, a caravan of 15 vehicles traveled from communities around the state to deliver this life-changing gift to at least 30 families in southeastern Utah eagerly anticipating a slightly easier life in this beautiful but desolate area by reducing the number of trips to the nearest water hole from several times each week to once-a-week.

Thanks to Paul Summers and Dan Bradshaw, chair and co-chair of District 5420’s Native American Initiative for their dedication and initiative as well as the Rotary clubs of St. George, Bountiful, Washington City, Cedar City, St. George Sunrise, Monticello, Midvalley, Blanding, South Valley, Park City Noon, Orem, and Mar de Peñasco, Mexico for their willingness to dig deep in support of this outstanding humanitarian cause!

PDG Linda Sappington

Past District Public Image Chair

RY2016-19 / 2022 - 23

Save the Date - Friday, JULY 17

Fun Night Out with Rotary at the Salt Lake Bees Game

On Friday, July 17, we’ll hold a Rotary night at the Salt Lake Bees game. Last year’s event was a huge success. This year, the event will involve:

A drone show
Miniature golf
Reserved premium stadium seats
Recognition of Utah Rotary

Dinner at the 1^st base covered premium deck area. Dinner will include pulled pork sliders, a hot dog bar, mac & cheese, Cole slaw, fruit, potato chips, chocolate chip cookies, and assorted Coke products. There will be vegetarian and gluten free options.

We’ll have a SHORT program to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of the country and the district governor installation. Please keep this date on your calendar and expect more registration details in mid-May. Thanks a lot!

Peter Cardon

District 5420 Governor Elect

How Visionary Leadership & Utah Rotary's Financial Support Change Lives in Morocco

The powerful story of the Moroccan-American Institute for Rehabilitation Clinic

The Moroccan-American Institute for Rehabilitation (MAIR) clinic in Marrakech, Morocco, stands today as a powerful example of Rotary’s enduring commitment to humanitarian service, global health, and sustainable capacity building.

Since its conception, the MAIR clinic has benefited significantly from the vision, leadership, and financial support of the Utah Rotary District and Rotary International, whose collaboration transformed an ambitious idea into a life-changing reality for countless patients.

Rotary’s Vocational Training Team (VTT) initiative laid the foundation for MAIR, launched in 2014 and culminating in the clinic’s opening on September 1, 2015. This program, supported by Rotary Global Grants totaling more than $150,000, ran from 2014 to 2019 and brought together an exceptional network of healthcare professionals dedicated to improving neurorehabilitation services in Morocco.

During this five-year period, more than 70 medical professionals from the United States, including physiatrists, neurologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists, traveled to Marrakech to provide intensive hands-on training to MAIR clinicians.

These experts shared advanced neurorehabilitation protocols and best practices commonly used to treat patients with stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, and other complex neurological conditions. The impact of this Vocational Training Team initiative was transformative.

MAIR clinicians developed specialized expertise in evidence-based neurorehabilitation approaches, enabling them to deliver high-quality care previously unavailable in the region.

As a result, MAIR quickly emerged as a beacon of hope for adults and children suffering from debilitating neurological conditions.

Today, patients travel to Marrakech from across Morocco and neighboring countries seeking MAIR’s specialized services, like this little girl who is learning to walk.

Success Inspires a Master’s Program

The success of the MAIR VTT program also inspired a broader and more ambitious initiative. Recognizing the sustainable impact of training local professionals, Rotary International supported the development of the first Master’s Degree Program in Neurorehabilitation in Morocco and across Africa.

This landmark educational initiative, funded through a $220,000 Rotary Global Grant, officially launched in October 2025 and is anticipated to continue through late 2027.

The Master’s program builds upon the original VTT model by establishing long-term academic infrastructure, training future leaders in neuro-rehabilitation, and strengthening healthcare capacity across the region.

By investing in education, Rotary is ensuring that the MAIR model continues to grow and expand its impact for years to come.

From its origins as a Rotary-supported training initiative to its current role as a regional center of excellence, the MAIR clinic represents the power of collaboration, compassion, and service. Thanks to Rotary’s vision and commitment, MAIR continues to transform lives and expand access to high-quality neurorehabilitation across Morocco and beyond.

Mohammed (Mo) Sbia, PhD

University of Utah Neuro-rehabilitation Research Dept.

Member, Salt Lake Rotary Club

Help teach teen girls in Uganda

In the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda, thousands of refugee girls face a monthly crisis most of us never think about. When their periods begin, many have no sanitary pads, no privacy and sometimes no clean water. Some miss school for days. Others use unsafe materials like old cloth, leaves or mattress foam. A basic biological process becomes a source of shame, fear and lost opportunity.

The Rotary Club of Millcreek is partnering with the Rotaract Club of Nakivale Rubondo in Uganda on this project, which aims to change that. Over the next three months, we will support 300 vulnerable girls and women by distributing reusable sanitary pads, offering training on how to make their own pads, and providing sexual and reproductive health education. We will also raise awareness to reduce stigma and gender-based violence, helping these girls reclaim their confidence and dignity.

We are reaching out for donations to support our project. Read about it and donate at our GoFundMe link https://gofund.me/d46ce0d89

Thank you!

Shannon Tilly, Rotary Club of Millcreek, shannont5552@gmail.com

Your club's space for news about your International Service projects.

You are invited to use this space to describe your club's experience going abroad to help people in need around the globe. Simply get on the bus and submit your story along with a few pictures to the Newsletter Editor lolabeatlebrox@gmail.com by the 27th of every month.

End the Rotary year with purpose

As the Rotary year draws to a close, each of us has an opportunity to turn generosity into lasting impact. Year-end giving is more than a contribution — it is a statement of belief in the good Rotary makes possible every day.

Through our Matching Points Program, your gift goes even further. Contribute at least $100 to Annual Fund-SHARE (https://rotary.org/donate), and the district will match your donation with recognition points, helping move you closer to next Paul Harris Fellow level. It is a wonderful way to multiply both your giving and your recognition.

This is also the perfect time to complete your Paul Harris Society (https://rotary.org/phs) contribution if you have not yet done so, or to take that important next step if you are not currently participating. And if you are not enrolled in Rotary Direct (my.rotary.org/en/rotary-direct), now is the ideal moment to make future giving simple, steady, and intentional.

For those able to make a larger legacy commitment, consider establishing an Endowment-SHARE Named Fund (rotary.org/en/rotary-endowment). This is a meaningful way to honor your family’s Rotary legacy while creating a permanent stream of project funds that will bless your club and community for generations.

Now is the time to act. Make your year-end gift, fulfill your commitment, and help build Rotary’s future — one generous decision at a time.

https://youtu.be/1Kc-NnXBZKw?si=94DeL41xpxrWHCxC

Thank YOU for YOUR generosity,

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

Rotary District Grants

Service that makes a difference

Thank you to the Rotarians and Rotary clubs across our district who are using District Grants to make our communities — both local and international — better places to live. Through your dedication, compassion, and hard work, lives are being changed. You are helping meet real needs, strengthen communities, and demonstrate the power of Rotary service in action.

Your projects reflect the very best of Service Above Self, and our district is stronger because of your efforts. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy, and heart you bring to this important work.

As we approach the close of the Rotary year, please remember that final District Grant reports, including receipts, are due by June 15. This deadline is very important. Failure to submit the final report and receipts will disqualify a club from receiving a 2026–27 District Grant(s).

Please submit your reports as soon as possible so our wonderful volunteers — Cathy, Kristen, and Laura — have enough time to process everything in a timely manner to ensure next year's grant checks come out early.

Thank you again for your outstanding service and commitment to Rotary. Let’s finish the year strongly by completing this final step and helping ensure continued grant opportunities for the year ahead.

Take a look at this video with your club. https://youtu.be/6rlo8DWZFrg?si=MdJ7Mmyog0bo399i

Thank YOU for all YOU do,

Egor Shulman

D5420 Rotary Foundation Chair 2025-2028

(435) 619-1317

drfc5420@gmail.com

Rotary Youth News

This year's outgoing Youth Exchange students announced

In April we trained all our outbound exchange students on what to expect during their time abroad. We have a great batch of kids this year who will be excellent ambassadors of Rotary and the United States. We appreciate the Rotary clubs for being willing to sponsor our students. Here is where each of our students will be going:

Long term (for the entire 2026-27 academic year)

Mia Hinckley, from Spring City, will go to the Netherlands, sponsored by Ephraim Rotary Club.

Claire Holliday, from North Ogden, will go to Germany, sponsored by Ogden Rotary Club.

Kobe Rowland, from Heber City, will go to Brazil, sponsored by Heber Valley Rotary Club.

Short term (part of the summer 2026)

Nahomy Espinosa Pena, from Washington, will go to Czechia, sponsored by St. George Sunrise Rotary Club.

Diana Gomez, from St George, will go to Romania, sponsored by St George Sunrise Rotary Club.

Jayne Smith, from Lehi, will go to France, sponsored by Lehi Rotary Club.

Marc Wilson, from Centerville, will go to France, sponsored by Centerville-Farmington Rotary Club.

If you know of youth who live in your area who would be interested in becoming an exchange student in future years, please have them contact our district youth exchange chairperson, Aaron Lowe (transitreg98@gmail.com or 801-592-0913). We would love to provide them this amazing opportunity. It will not only change their lives, but many others, as we all gain a greater appreciation of cross-cultural understanding around the world.

Aaron Lowe, District Chair Rotary Youth Exchange

transitreg98@gmail.com

Questions about RYLA applications?

Contact Sydney King at 5420ryla@gmail.com

Rotary's Rose Bowl Float 2027

Only 269 days away!!!

For generations, Rotary has proudly showcased our spirit of service on one of the world’s most celebrated stages—the Rose Parade. Our float isn’t just a beautiful display… it’s a powerful symbol of who we are as Rotarians: people of action, united in doing good.

This month, we need your help to keep that tradition alive.

We are launching a fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $20,000. These funds ensure that Rotary continues to have a presence in the parade... sharing our story, inspiring millions, and reminding the world of the impact we make every day in our communities and across the globe.

Every dollar makes a difference. Every contribution helps us:

Showcase Rotary to a global audience
Inspire future leaders and members
Celebrate our legacy of service

Let’s come together as a Rotary family and make this happen. If Rotary has ever inspired you, impacted your life, or given you purpose, this is your moment to give back.

With gratitude,

The Rotary Rose Float Committee

Click Here to Make a Contribution!

Upcoming Events in the District & the World

Springville Rotary “Sunday in the Park” Car Show is Sunday, August 16

The Springville Rotary Club's “Sunday in the Park” Car Show continues to be a summer favorite and our largest annual fundraiser, bringing the community together each year.

Last year’s event was a strong success. We served approximately 1,200 meals, showcased around 1,000 cars, and, with strong support from local business sponsors, featured over $25,000 in donated raffle prizes. The event raised an estimated $45,000 to support local and international service efforts.

Those funds made a meaningful impact. We awarded eight scholarships to local students, each worth $4,000, with a total commitment of nearly $30,000 to support their education. We also supported an international exchange student, provided dictionaries to local youth through our annual literacy project, and sponsored our annual Easter egg hunt for the community.

The car show continues to be a key part of how we fund these efforts and serve both locally and beyond, reflecting Rotary’s commitment to putting service above self.

Sterling Black, Springville Rotary Club

sterling-black@leavitt.com

2026 Rotary International Convention is in June!

Connect with Rotary members from around the world as we unite for good in Taipei City, Taiwan, for the Rotary International Convention, June 13-17, 2026.

The convention is a unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and be inspired in a vibrant city rich in culture, iconic landmarks, and culinary delights. This transformative event is your opportunity to renew relationships made at previous conventions, create new ones, and share with like-minded changemakers the exciting work that your club is doing.

The Rotary International Convention is our biggest event of the year! Learn more and register today at convention.rotary.org.

The Club Hub

Get ideas, support other clubs! Send your service projects & fundraisers to

Newsletter Editor Lola Beatlebrox for this monthly section of the newsletter.

St. George Sunrise Rotary was proud to be a major donor, supporting our fellow Rotarian Aurora Serrano in bringing this Labyrinth at the Washington County Children’s Justice Center to life.

Why a Labyrinth at the Children’s Justice Center? Why a Triple Spiral? Because healing isn’t a straight line.

A labyrinth is not a maze—there are no wrong turns, only a gentle path inward and back out, creating space for calm, reflection, and release. At the Children’s Justice Center, children and families often arrive carrying fear, grief, and uncertainty. This offers a quiet place to pause, breathe, and begin healing.

The Triple Spiral represents powerful journeys—Mind, Body, Spirit; Past, Present, Future; and Grief, Healing, Hope—allowing each person to find their own meaning.

This is more than a garden path. It’s an invitation: You are safe here. You are supported here. Healing is possible.

On April 21, the Park City Rotary Club joined forces with the Christian Center of Park City to support a vital community initiative addressing weekend food insecurity among local students.

For many children who depend on school meal programs during the week, weekends can bring uncertainty about where their next meal will come from.

Through this partnership, Rotarians help provide nutritious, easy-to-prepare food that students can take home—ensuring they have reliable access to meals when school is not in session. Initiatives like this remind us that small, consistent acts of service can have a lasting impact—helping ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Janessa-Michelle Purcell, President of the Utah Valley University Rotaract Club is graduating with Honors at the end of this semester. On April 16, she was honored with the Utah Valley University Club President of the Year Award for advocating for sustainable mountain development in the State of Utah and the United Nations. Rotaractors led by Janessa did this through the student-engaged learning model, by working as a group to resolve problems facing local communities with faculty mentorship. In a partnership with Orem-Lindon Rotary Club and Utah District Rotarians, they cleaned the Provo River Delta, planted trees, collected coats to Title I local schools, and assembled hygiene kits for underserved communities. Janessa-Michelle also led Rotaractors' advocacy campaign for mountain women at the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

The Easter Car Show Fundraiser, an annual community service project and fundraiser organized by Hurricane Valley Rotary Club was a record breaker this year. Incredible weather, good planning, and some luck brought together thousands of area residents, tourists, and 250+ vehicle owners in the kind of festive environment that builds a strong community. It was great team-building for the club as most club members worked the event. Family members, Rotarians from nearby clubs, Interactors, scouts, and JROTC cadets also pitched in. City and business leaders chose some winners and presented trophies such as Mayor’s Choice. More funds were raised this year than ever, which will help the club “Create Lasting Impact” in 2026-27.

The Rotary E-Club and Valley West Rotary Club created a wonderful book project for elementary school students.

We delivered "Who is..." books to Monroe Elementary, a Title I School in the Granite School District. Michael Anglin from Valley West explained Rotary and the 4 Way Test - how they have rules at school, the 4-way test is rules for Rotarians.

Mike Argyle shared the importance of reading and how it exercises our brain and we learn so many things when we read. Natalie Argyle challenged students to do a book report.

In 30 days we will return and have a party, their ticket into the party is the completed book report.

The Spanish Fork Rotary Club sold treats at the snack shack of Spanish Fork High School during their annual track meet for elementary students. The profits from this fundraiser go towards future club projects.

In April, the Murray Rotary Club participated in the Utah District-wide Shoes for Orphan Souls drive. We collected 61 pairs of shoes as part of the goal for District 5420 along with five other districts and the Buckner organization.

In April 400 cars circled around 10 Hazardous Waste stations greeted by 30 Park City Sunrise Rotarians eager to keep old paint, oil, mercury, pharmaceuticals, batteries, and E-waste out of the landfill. While collecting more than 17,000 pounds of hazardous waste, Sunrisers made friends with the many dogs riding in back seats. Used motor oil is bad for the environment and we recovered 300 gallons along with 40 mattresses. Parkites donated 44 bicycles to be refurbished by the Bicycle Collective. Park City Sunrise co-organizes this event twice a year with Recycle Utah.

April was another busy month for St. George Rotary with two eagerly anticipated projects on our calendar. Our 27^th annual 4-Way Test Essay Contest had six winners this year – two each from three schools, including George Washington Academy for the very first time.

More than 50 Rotarians, student winners, parents, grandparents and teachers attended. On National Arbor Day – and in honor of America’s semi-quincentennial – members and friends of St. George Rotary gathered in Pine Valley to plant 250 trees to replace a small portion of those lost in last year’s Forsyth fire which destroyed 17 homes and 15,000 acres of beautiful mountain terrain.

April was a busy month for the Midvalley Rotary Club. We proudly added another new member. We participated in the deliveries of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) beds to two families.

This time, we added a new place for service at the Murray Children’s Pantry. Club members stocked shelves and filled food boxes with much needed food items for families and their children.

Thank you to one of our new member’s recognition of the need for this local community agency and now we have a new place to serve. Rotarians in our club also participated in the two-day virtual Big West Rotaract Conference as organizers and presenters and proudly supported Rotaractors in attendance.

The Rotary Club of Orem-Lindon celebrated Earth Day on April 22 with a service project at Nielsen’s Grove, one of Utah’s oldest public parks. Members planted three trees and spread mulch around flower beds to help beautify and preserve this historic space. We were grateful for the support of the UVU Rotaractors, whose energy and teamwork made the project even more impactful. After the work was done, participants enjoyed a sack lunch picnic—including a bag of chips! It was a great opportunity to connect, enjoy the beautiful park, and serve our community while caring for the environment.

The Utah District 5420 Rotaract community was proud to participate in the 2026 Big West Rotaract Conference via Zoom, joining Rotaractors from across the Big West MDIO region, for a weekend of learning, collaboration, and celebration.

District Rotaract Representative Savannah Bristol and District Rotaract Chair Martha Velasco presented on the Dual Rotaract/Rotarian Roadmap, sharing strategies for building lifelong engagement in Rotary as well as providing the formula for the Dual due structure. Savannah also led a session on reducing “red tape” in service project and event planning, equipping clubs with practical tools to simplify processes and increase impact. Regional Rotaract leaders Kaylee Melessa and Evan Gale opened the conference with a presentation on effective note-taking, highlighting how intentional note-taking can help attendees bring valuable ideas and resources back to their clubs.

The conference also provided an opportunity to celebrate outstanding leaders in District 5420. A couple of Rotaractors were honored as Rotaractors of the Year for their exceptional leadership, dedication to service, and commitment to strengthening Rotaract throughout the district. Their efforts have inspired fellow members and created lasting impact across clubs.

In addition, Midvalley Rotary Club was recognized as the district’s Biggest Club Supporter, honoring their strong partnership with Rotaract and their commitment to empowering young leaders. Their mentorship and collaboration continue to set an outstanding example of Rotary and Rotaract working together in service.