Many of us are sponsors for students (kindergarten through university) in schools in various villages surrounding Copan Ruinas, Honduras as part of the IPA project.  It is a remarkable opportunity to support these young village students, helping them to find a path to a better future.

I want to tell you about a university student, for whom I am one of the proud sponsors.  Fanny Giron is in her fifth year of medical school (impossible without IPA support), currently studying at the Roosevelt Hospital in Guatemala City.  She is a remarkable student – smart, articulate, compassionate, and driven, laser focused on her goal.  The updates she sends to me are filled with detailed information about her duties, her fellow students and staff, her family, and the occasional unexpected events that come her way.  Her current medical rotation is with infants.

In her own words, “I deeply love my elective.  I spent a week in the labor and delivery area, and on the first day, I received my first baby, and I loved it!  Then, the following week, I moved to the neonatal intensive care unit.  It’s tough and sad to see the babies in oxygen chambers and intubated, but the care the doctors provide is excellent.  My mentor is the head of the neonatal intensive care department, and he is incredible.  He is so kind to the babies, but also to the parents, the resident doctors, the nurses, and the students.”

“My day starts at 4:20 a.m.  I attend classes with the residents at 6 a.m. and then at 8 a.m. we start the rounds.  The doctor is tough on the residents and also on the intern.  I like to write down all the questions and interesting information he shares; it’s always very useful and straightforward.”

Fanny talks about a bomb threat that caused the evacuation of the hospital.  “Everyone was running around like crazy, and no one was leaving the premises because they didn’t know if it was safe or not.  In the neonatal intensive care unit, where I am, the doctor asked us to leave the hospital as soon as possible, and so we did.”  A small staff remained to care for the babies who could not be moved.  Fortunately, no bomb was found.

Fanny is profoundly grateful for the support she receives.  “Thanks for helping me achieve my dreams, and thank you for getting involved and making such a positive impact on my life.”

I believe there are many more young men and young women in Copan who, like Fanny, are highly motivated, and are sitting on the edge of their chairs, ready to take flight if we continue to provide the support that they need.

Our members tend to be a motivated bunch, often participating in multiple community organizations.  Club Historian, Duane Clark, is also the Past President and a current board member of the Anacortes Sister Cities Association. This week he and Sister Cities President John Lovric hosted a golf tournament (where the Rotary team continued its improvement!) and provided Wednesday’s lunch program with more than a dozen exchange students and teachers from our Romanian sister city, Comarnic.

Next year, our Romanian friends will host a contingent from Anacortes,  no doubt with a Rotarian or two in the mix.

While out on a walk last fall, Rotarian Loalynda Bird asked her good friend and fellow Rotarian, Peggy Flynn, for her help to bring the Earth Day Luminary Light Parade to Anacortes. A luminary artist, Loalynda founded the Guemes Parade in 2016. The Parade had grown to capacity over the years and now Loalynda wanted more people and a larger variety of age groups to take the Parade to the next level. An active community volunteer with project management skills, and an avid luminary maker, Peggy agreed.

Their first call was to Rotarian and Chamber of Commerce CEO Jesica Kiser for guidance about dates and logistics. Jesica helped secure the Depot for their preferred date, April 20, 2024.  In conversations with other community leaders, the Procession of the Species was mentioned as another earth-friendly event. Discussions between the organizers led them to conclude that, given the big task of closing Commercial Avenue, it made sense for both the Luminary Parade and the Procession of the Species to take place on the same day. Having joined forces, the next challenge was to resolve the question of timing, given that the Procession is a daytime event and the Luminary Parade happens at nightfall.

The next call was to Rotarian Jordan Hay, Executive Director of the Anacortes Downtown Alliance. Would her organization want to organize a street fair in the time between the Procession and the Luminary Parade? With the streets closed, a street-festival atmosphere could bring additional people downtown on a shoulder season weekend. With Jordan’s characteristic enthusiasm, the event began to take shape.

Operating without any funding, Rotary Grants Committee chair Jack Darnton encouraged the Luminary group to apply for a grant to cover basic necessary expenses. Needing someone with years of experience to manage street closures, Rotarian Jim Poitrus accepted the call and added his wife and fellow Rotarian, Cheryl, to assist with this task. As plans have expanded and grown, Rotarian Don Bird brings his expertise in media and event planning to the team. Rotarian Rick Star’s Rockfish will be setting up a Beer Garden.  Under the guidance of Rotarian and DanceWorks Director Melisa Turnage, a group of young dancers, invited to participate in a Disneyland parade in June, will have the honor of leading the Luminary Parade.

Besides Loalynda and Peggy, other Rotarians have gotten into the spirit by either making their very own, or volunteering to carry, luminaries in the parade. You are likely to see Bonnie Bowers, Jordan Hay, Jesica Kiser, Janette Lione, Marta and Mike McClintock, Sondra Peters, Therese Rudzis, Mary Staley, Rick and Carole Star, and Vicki Stash brightening the evening skies.

With these many seeds having been planted by members of the Anacortes Rotary Club, the First-Ever Anacortes Earth Day Celebration is about to blossom on Saturday, April 20 beginning at 4 pm and ending around 10 pm.  In addition to the Luminary Parade and the Procession of the Species, the Street Fair will feature two live bands, street dancing led by a professional ballroom dance instructor, nearly 20 non-profit organizations featuring earth-friendly exhibits and children’s activities. Downtown shops will have special promotions, and restaurants will offer earth-friendly menus.

Schedule of Events

4:00 Rhythm Studio Dancers

5:00 Procession of the Species

5:45 Music by Anacopper Road

6:45 Music by Pension King and the Dependents

8:00 Luminary Light Parade

A Note from Loalynda & Peggy (pictured below):   "We are more than grateful for the generosity, enthusiasm and energy the Anacortes Rotary Club has brought to this first-ever community event. We simply could not have made this happen without YOU. It truly does take a village . . . and a Rotary Club.  Thank you!"