Brookfield East Interact Club is a youth-led organization that aims to bring together young individuals with a passion for community service and leadership. Affiliated with the Elmbrook Rotary Club and Rotary International, the club provides a platform for high school students to engage in various service projects, develop leadership skills, and foster international understanding.

The Club was established with the mission to empower young people to take action in their communities and make a positive impact on the world. The club's activities are guided by the principles of Rotary International, which emphasize service, fellowship, diversity, integrity, and leadership. Since its inception, the club has been dedicated to improving the lives of others through meaningful service projects and initiatives.

 

by Erik Moeser

 

Our Elmbrook Rotary Team of 12 leaves on Feb 16 for a week of volunteering at Common Hope in Antigua, Guatemala where they will build a house, work with kids and families, and do whatever else CH needs us to.  This will be our 12th ERC team trip there since the first one in 2012.  Close to 40 of our members have traveled, along with numerous spouses and family members, and friends. Guests from a half dozen neighboring clubs have also joined us.  Making up our team this year are Elmbrook Rotarians Harry Farchmin, Mark Thurner, Kemal Yilmaz, Kerri Richlen, Phyllis Blodgett, Erik and Carol Moeser, plus Neenah Rotarian and District 6270 Secretary Dana Kohlmeyer, together with her daughter Kendall who lives in Los Angeles, and Kenosha West Rotary Club member Fran Wargolet (Ms. Shelter Box) and her daughter Katrina and granddaughter Sophie.

 

Three Marquette University students, Laura, Ian and Ben gave a presentation on the Guatemala Cruz Chich and Chumisa Water Project that the Engineers Without Borders Club have been working on for the past year. The project goal is to provide potable water from an up-mountain spring to 3700 residents via 468 water taps located throughout the target communities.

 

An assessment trip was conducted in August of 2024 to evaluate the spring and tank sites, test the water, and review the needs of the communities. This collaborative program along with support from the Elmbrook and other Rotary clubs, will provide a greatly needed clean water source that will reduce the waterborne illnesses that have plagued the region… reducing the need to haul water great distances and resulting in an improved attendance int schools.

 

Did you know that the Milwaukee Public Museum has 500,000 visitors each year, 150,000 kids inspired annually, Field Trips for 44 WI counties every year, and 4Million objects & specimens from every WI County to deep in space?

 

Dr. Ellen Censky, President/CEO Milwaukee Public Museum share some exciting news about the new Museum project.

Founded in 1882, the Museum has had three homes with the fourth on the horizon… currently under construction… set to open in early 2027. The new venue was inspired by geological formations, diverse landscapes of the areas of Wisconsin. This 240-million-dollar project blends many of the current Museum experience with new interactive exhibits.

 

On Sunday, December 8^th, Wellpoint Care network held their annual celebration for Foster Families at the Italian Community Center. The Holiday Carnival featured:

Seventeen Elmbrook Rotary members assisted in running games, in the food service, coat check, and cookie decorating.

 

 

Thank you, Jack, Kim, Jan, Darcy, Kate, Scott, Tom, Paul, Marie, Bill, Cathy, Christopher, Mark, Jackie, Greg, Jeanne, and Phyllis.

 

The Elmbrook Rotary Club currently has eighty members with a mix of newer and experienced Rotarians with a broad range of vocations. What is “Service Above Self” as it relates to the mission of Rotary? It is the guiding principle where members are encouraged to focus on serving their communities locally and globally. The motto conveys the idea that personal success is more closely tied to helping others than what you do for yourself.

 

Over this past year the Elmbrook Rotary has participated in many volunteer opportunities, projects and fundraising for the non-profit organizations we support locally and internationally. Here is a synopsis of some of our “Service Above Self” activities.

By Bonnie Bertram

 

November 22, 2024

 

Today, Erik and Carol Moeser, Bill Selzer, Kerri Richlen, Mark Zalewski and I attended the annual Meet and Greet Veteran participants in the Veterans in Focus photography group which our club has supported for the past 8 years.

We were introduced to Courtney Zeller, C.T.R.S, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, by our former member, Daniel Zomchek, who at the time was Director of the Zablocki VA Medical Center.

 

The photography course is offered to Veterans in the Outpatient Mental Health Recreation Therapy and Homeless Prevention Programs. Courtney’s idea for the photography group came from her in-home visits to Veterans, many of whom did not have any pictures hanging on their walls. At the end of the photography classes, Veterans are able to choose a framed photograph to take home.

 

An Elmbrook Rotary crew spent a couple of hours picking up discarded items along Greenfield Ave., demonstrating the Rotary motto “Service Above Self”.

 

By Mark Zalewski

 

On Saturday October 26th - 16 hearty Elmbrook Rotarians and friends dragged themselves out of bed to participate in the 4th annual Elmbrook Rotary Triathlon to End Polio.

 

The first event - The "Ham Egg & Pancake Throwdown" - saw the entrants attacking copious plant and animal-based items, washed down with unlimited amounts of brown liquid in preparation for the additional events.   Of special note was Jim Dunn's "Herbivore Bowl" which for some reason was also topped with 3 eggs 

 

The event took its toll however - with only 9 of the original 16 starters continuing on to the 2nd event - The 12.25-mile overland bike ride to the Zablocki VA Center.   

 

Nobody wound up in the hospital this year - and 6 riders managed to complete the full (1 hill) course to return O'Donoghue's for the final event.

 

The Final Stage - The "Guinness Pint Glass Lift and Chili Scooping" had all six remaining participants, led by President Tom - finishing in a virtual tie.

 

With the real winners being the Kids of a world where Polio will finally be eradicated.

 

So Thanks - and Well Done - to all who came out on Saturday

 

Thanks everyone for your commitment to Rotary and to your community... Elmbrook Rotary Club - "We Rise and Shine"

 

By Lydia Miller

 

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to visit the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, IL. The timing couldn’t have been better; it was a stunning fall day, with the sunlight glistening on Lake Michigan. Most meaningfully, it was the day before World Polio Day. In front of the Rotary building is a statue of a man administering the polio vaccine to children and it speaks volumes about the impact Rotarians have worldwide. It serves as a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can achieve remarkable things.

 

 

By Ralph Gould

 

On October 18^th, Elmbrook Rotary Club (ERC) announced that Tina Chang, Chairman & CEO of Brookfield-Based SysLogic was the recipient of ERC’s 8^th Business Person of the Year award.  Tina was selected from a number of candidates proposed by Brookfield Mayor Steve Ponto for demonstrating significant contributions to her business as well as demonstrating strong community involvement.

 

 

Robert Schuldes, Senior Vice President Director of Financial Crime for Associated Bank Fraud Division updated the Elmbrook Rotary members on current scams and how to avoid being a target and victim.

“Fraudsters are especially active during times of uncertainty, trying to take advantage of fear, empathy and desire for more information. The types of communications vary, so it is critical you look for any red flags with emails, phone calls, letters, text messages, faxes and social media.”

 

Braver Angels (formerly known as Better Angels) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to political depolarization in the United States. Founded in 2016, its mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen democratic values. They organize workshops, debates, and other events where people with differing political views can engage in meaningful conversations and better understand each other's perspectives.

 

Former Rotarian, Beth Bauer, the new State Coordinator for Braver Angles shared the organization’s mission and vision of how-to bring people together on all sides of the political spectrum.

 

On a beautiful sunny Saturday afternoon at the Hart Park Rotary Stage in Wauwatosa, the Medical College of Wisconsin Orchestra in conjunction with the Wauwatosa Rotary, presented “Sounds of Hollywood”. The concert highlighted the works from well-known composers; Henry Mancini, John Barry, Jerry Goldsmith, Hans Zimmer and John Williams who wrote the scores for Chariots of Fire, Star Wars, Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Trek, 007 and others.

They also included a segment of jazz tunes, and a fantastic clarinetist, William Helmers, accompanied by the orchestra.

Conductor, Dr. Alexander Mandl provided the audience with an engaging introduction for each selection. This two-hour concert was a tribute to a number of great composers, performed by a talented consortium of musicians from MCW.

 

 

 

On Friday September 7^th, the Elmbrook Rotary Annual Packer Ticket Raffle drawing took place. Nine community members won two tickets to an upcoming home game at Lambeau Field.

Congratulation to:

A big thank you to our Raffle Leader and Organizer Karl Schulz, and fellow members, who sold tickets at the Saturday morning Brookfield Farmers Market.  And, thank you to all our members who sold and purchased tickets.

 

100% of the proceeds go to funding the community and international non-profit organizations we support!

 

Elmbrook Rotary Club member Nick Sgarlata is the Executive Director of Bridge to Brighter. At the Friday morning meeting, Nick shared stories about the mission, vision and history of this great organization. Nick and his wife Carrie are foster adoptive parents. They have fostered 15 children, adopted two, and have three biological kids.

 

Bridge to Brighter is an organization dedicated to supporting youth in and aging out of foster care in Milwaukee County. They provide vital services, resources, and programming to help these young individuals transition successfully into adulthood. Their focus is on building independence and self-sufficiency through life skills training and supportive housing. 

 

Six Elmbrook Rotarians performed the Summer Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup on August 22. In 2022, The Elmbrook Rotary Club adopted a section of State Highway 59, also known as Greenfield Avenue, in the southwest corner of Brookfield. The Adopt-A-Highway initiative is one of the efforts of the Club’s Community Service avenue of service. We are pleased to have this project and to contribute to the health and aesthetics of our community.

Get your Packer Raffle Tickets! Tickets can be purchased at the Rotary Table at the Brookfield Farmers Market on Saturdays from 7:30am to noon. Tickets can also be purchased from any Elmbook Rotary Club member, or by contacting Karl Schultz at kschulz2@gmail.com. “For only $10, a single Raffle Ticket gives you 9 chances to win 2 tickets to one of the 9 home games at the famous “Frozen Tundra” and every penny goes to support needs in our community and beyond",.. supporting our 35 plus community and international non-profit organizations.

 

The City of Brookfield Wirth Park Playground Renovation Project is almost complete and looking great! This project is all about providing “a space for leisure and play for all abilities and ages”. The playground is designed with inclusive features allowing the opportunity to play and socialize together.

 

The Elmbrook Rotary Club is a major sponsor of this project serving the community providing funding and local support.

 

Recently, John Kelliher, Director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the City of Brookfield, pointed out the signs recognizing the Club’s contributions to this worthy community project. He also mentioned the plan for an additional Elmbrook Rotary recognition sign along the walk leading from the parking lot to the playground.

 

Stay tuned for the Grand Opening.

 

The World Affairs Seminar, “Peace Through Understanding” is a “unique interactive educational program for high school students sponsored by Rotary International District 6270. It is a weeklong experience providing an opportunity for international students to discuss issues in a non-threatening environment.”

The Seminar was started in 1977 with over 30,000 future world leaders participating in this great program. For many years, Elmbrook Rotary has sponsored two delegates from Brookfield East High School.

At a recent meeting, Doug Jacobson introduced Brinnly Ward and Ava Hicks, the clubs two representatives to the 2024 World Affairs Seminar that recently took place at Carroll University. The theme this year was “Democracy and Governance: Evolving Global Perspectives”.  Brinnly and Ava thanked the club for their sponsorship, gave a synopsis of the Diplomacy Simulation exercise, including highlights of their experience of collaboration and international friendship building.