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Ed Koeneman's big smile shows his appreciation for a day spent on the Maasai Mara in Kenya.  Some members of the Interact Crutches 4 Africa Ambassadors Team are shown in these photos.  The girls appear to be learning a new skill at the Dopoi Center where they talked about their day and bonded with new friends.
 
Amiya, (on the left in the photo on the right) who will be spending her second year as President of Westwood High School Interact Club this next year will be at some of our Mesa West Rotary events throughout the year.  She will undoubtedly have many stories to share from this experience.  We need to  remember to take time to ask and listen.  
 
Past President Polly Cady welcomed everyone to the meeting.  There were many guests in attendance both in-person and via Zoom.  Since the program of the day would be the installation of our 2025-26 Club President Kayla Mudge, Kayla invited several individuals who are near and dear to her to participate in the meeting either in-person or via Zoom.  In person were Amyla Buckannon and Anise Carroll from Interact.  They were introduced by Mike Lutcher along with Amyla's mother, Bridget Buchannon.  Kayla's mother, Angelia Mudge Long, and Jeff Long were introduced.  Rotarian Mariel Olson, who was about to begin her second term as President of Camelback Crossroads Rotary Club was introduced as a guest of Kayla's.  Kayla's co-workers from Drive Time - Clay Scheitzach, Sam Davis and Kristin Stover - were also introduced.  Kayla's friends and family members attending via Zoom were:  Carol Rapp, Roger Roemer, Abby Klein, Pam Springer, Raine Ettridge, Kathi Copelen, Kris Holden, and Emily Portscheller. 
Mesa West Rotary Club's volunteer service vests were very visible the evening of November 8 after the Gift of Hearing 2023 volunteers arrived at their destination and were enjoying an evening meal.
 
After returning to Arizona Sunday, Erica Williams expressed appreciation for all the volunteer hours invested in this year's mission.  She reported 232 patients were served, again making an impact for the hearing health of the Guaymas community.  True to the Rotary Service above Self motto, Rodolfo will continue to travel back a few times during the year for mini clinics to help meet needs until next November.  She said they have been training the Mexican doctors on some of the more advanced testing needs as well to bring back to their community.  
 
Erica said they are targeting the same week/weekend for 2024, with more information to follow in the future.  CLICK HERE for a link to an article Bob Jensen came across to reflect about why the team does what they do.
 
If you haven't already seen the reel about the project that was posted on our club's Facebook page, CLICK HERE or on the image  to view it.  
 
 
As most of you know, Arizona has a very unique state tax credit program.  If you pay taxes to the state of Arizona, you can specify where your tax dollars go (state taxes only).  These instructions are for your reference only.  Please consult a tax prep professional with any specific questions about state tax credits.

There are many different nonprofit organizations that AZ recognizes as authorized recipients of these tax funds.  Mesa West sponsors the Interact Club at Westwood High School, and they are a qualified recipient of these tax credit funds in the Extra Curricular Activities (ECA) category.  Here's how you can donate up to $200 as an individual or $400 as a couple filing jointly and deduct that amount from your state tax burden.

Go to https://westwood.mpsaz.org/page/eca/ and click on the link to pay on the district's website. 
Or go straight to https://mpsaz.sites.thrillshare.com/o/mpsaz/page/pay-donate  in lower right, click on Pay Online


If you have children currently enrolled in Mesa Public Schools, you can use your existing login information.  Otherwise, it's easy to setup a guest account.

Once you are logged in, select 'Items At All Schools' under the 'Shop/Donate' list on the Home page.

On the next page select 'High Schools', then select 'Westwood High'

Select the link for 'ECA Tax Credit', and then 'Programs G-K' on the following page.

Interact - ECA is under code 8646.  Enter a dollar amount in the box, and click the Add button.  That dollar amount should then appear in your cart (highlighted in green at the top of the page).

You can then proceed to the Checkout process and pay with a credit card.  You will receive a receipt that you can print out and save for when you do your taxes.

Thank you for supporting Westwood Interact and all of our youth programs.
As Rotarians, we are regularly exposed to opportunities to support various causes with our time, talent and treasure.  Sometimes it is hard to sift through all the information and decide where we are going to use our available financial resources. 
 
It would be wonderful if every Mesa West Rotarian would make the following BIG FOUR their Rotary charities of choice and support every one of them every year, we could make a bigger difference than we are making today.
 
Club Information
Welcome to the Rotary Club of Mesa West!
Mesa West

Transforming Communities, 
Creating Opportunities, 
Impacting Youth

We meet In Person & Online
Thursdays at 12:00 p.m.
Via Zoom or in-person
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85900479873
Doubletree, 1011 W Holmes
Mesa, AZ 85210
United States of America
Our hybrid meetings are held weekly on the 1st thru 4th Thursdays of each month. The meetings are broadcast via Zoom to include all, whether attending virtually or in person. NOTE: The meeting location is accessible.
Club Executives & Directors
Executive Secretary/Director
President
President Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Director '26
Director '26
Director '27
Director '27
Director '27
Membership Chair
Rotary Foundation Chair
Club Service Chair
Public Image Chair
Programs Chair
Sergeant-at-Arms
Vocational Service Chair
Youth Services Chair
Executive Secretary
Mesa West Foundation President
Mesa West Foundation Vice Pres.
Mesa West Foundation Secretary
Mesa West Foundation Treasurer
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Mesa West Foundation Trustee
Speakers
Ed Koeneman
Aug 07, 2025
Travelogue-RI Conference and Beyond
Donna Vessey
Aug 14, 2025
Wellness
TBD
Aug 21, 2025
Membership
Judge Balon and Deputy Court Administrator Sanchez
Sep 04, 2025
Mesa Community Court
Melinda Cadena
Sep 11, 2025
Angels on Patrol
Jim Schmidt-DG Visit
Sep 25, 2025
Economic Development Speaker
Oct 02, 2025
Specific Topic and Speaker TBD
Ed Koeneman
Oct 09, 2025
Crutches for Africa
Abe Feder
Oct 16, 2025
Microcredit in Mexico
Upcoming Events
 
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