Jim Hintz
The Peru Report Update
By Sheila Cottringer
                      
Herb Harris introduced Jim by explaining that Jim Hintz was a man who lived by the creed of "service above self." Jim has been married to Gloria for 43 years and both have served as Past President of the Charlotte University Rotary Club. Jim and Gloria have been traveling to Peru at least twice a year since 2003 and now spend seven months of each year in Alto Cayma.
 
Jim told Charlotte Rotarians that the Rotary Foundation is making a change in their direction by reducing the number of areas of focus in order to go deeper into the areas served. Alto Cayma is a great case study and a living laboratory of international service by Rotarians and The Rotary Foundation.
 
Stories of individuals and the progress within the community of Alto Cayma were shared as Jim showed pictures of their work. People moving into Alto Cayma are the poorest of poor. The desire to improve their lives is the driving force of the influx of people who either homestead and build small block homes or live in tents.
 
Many who come are malnourished and have not had proper healthcare.
 
Clothing is sparse and ragged. Housing is primitive when they arrive and a one-room home often provides shelter for six or more people. Access to potable water is a real issue. There is also a high non-violent crime rate with the poor robbing the poor. Alcoholism and drug addiction are the motivators.
 
In addition to these basic problems, the people of Alto Cayma have few job skills and a lack of education. Education is almost non-existent. Children who are provided an education are often not in a position to learn due to hunger or stress. The lack of skills allows few opportunities to provide for themselves or their families with a living wage.
 
The entire story of Alto Cayma is not grim however. Jim explained that in the six years of service, there have been nine matching grants through The Rotary Foundation. A number of clubs and individuals have also supported their efforts in this growing village.
 
There is progress in helping orphans and youth. Community kitchens have been preparing 800 meals each day for the hungry and will soon increase to over 1,000. Grants have funded programs for basic medical care and for special needs. Clothing and work opportunities have also been provided.
 
Charlotte Rotary has been especially helpful in the water project by obtaining the largest matching grant for a project of this kind. Because of this funding, there will be a new water plant built for the people of Alto Cayma.
 
Grants have provided opportunities to develop parks for recreation, a police car to provide more security to the village, vocational training in knitting and woodworking and scholarships, supplies and uniforms to support the education project.
 
There have been 38 Rotarians from our district to visit Alto Cayma, which represents one percent of our district. Funding provided has accomplished great things for the people of Alto Cayma.
 
The next challenge is finding a building large enough to support all the programs provided. They have found a building and are now working on funding the $50,000 purchase of the building that will assist them in continuing the wonderful work done by Jim, Gloria and the team in Alto Cayma.
 
You too can support the project by visiting or providing your monetary support. For more information, log onto charlotterotary.org and discover the many ways you can help by clicking on the drop down tab under Our Projects and look for The Peru Report.
   
 
Head Table: Darrell Holland, George Page, John Snyder, Herb Harriss, Chris Thomas, Ralston Pound;
Invocation: Jessica Brasington;
Visitors & Guests: Liz Irwin; Health & Happiness: Elsie Garner; Song: Pam Jefsen; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Mr. & Mrs. Phil Van Hoy and Mr. & Mrs. Hank Donaghy have announced the engagement of Travis Van Hoy and Kate Donaghy. The couple will be married on May 2nd; Bill Stegelmeyer is a new grandpa to Jackson Snell born April 7th; Meg McElwain and husband Frank Turner announce the birth of Frank, IV on April 22nd.
         
• Thoughts and prayers are extended to Todd Hawks and family upon the death of Todd's brother.
  
• Underground Detour (David Barnhardt, Al Allison, Mike Rash and others) will be playing at the Double Door from 3:00 - 5:00 on Sunday to benefit A Child's Place.
    
• Dumont Clarke was introduced by Biff Virkler and is the club's newest member. Dumont is with Moore & Van Allen and can be reached at dumontclarke@mvalaw.com. Welcome to Charlotte Rotary!
      
• Phil Volponi and Tom Cottingham recognized several Rotarians for their support to The Rotary Foundation. Congratulations to all: Charlie Raubacher, Paul Harris Fellow; Martin Waters, Luther Moore, Bill Staton, Tom Cottingham, Floyd Davis, Sandy Osborne, Al Allison and Tim Newman - Level One; Rick Jackson, Gib Smith, Michael Elder - Level 3; Leland Park - Level 4; John Johnson, Ervin Jackson and Pender McElroy - Level 5.
 
• Katie Tyler told attendees at a CREW Network luncheon that the way to get the economy going again is for the federal government to "nationalize the media and shut them down for six months" to give consumers a break from the economic doom and gloom. Go Katie!
 
• John Snyder asked all veterans to stand to be thanked then gave an update on the April 18th Flight of Honor, a project to take World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see their memorial. The day could not have been better. Cadets from a Charter School saluted the vets as they entered the Charlotte Airport; Pat McCrory and Sue Myrick were part of the send off crew and thanked everyone for their service; the plane arrived under a water cannon salute in Washington and was welcomed by a crowd of applause, flags, banners, handshakes and hugs; there was a police escort to the memorials and greetings from Bob and Elizabeth Dole; and the unbelievable welcome home reception back in Charlotte by families, friends and Rotarians. Martin Waters was one of 120 veterans on the trip; John Snyder, Hank Donaghy and Lamar Thomas served as guardians; Sandy Osborne was a team leader and steering committee organizer; Tom Burgess was the WW II vet on the steering committee and also handled all the nametags; and Sandy Chambers assisted with purchasing details for the specialized lanyards. 183 people experienced a day that will not be soon forgotten.

Biff Virkler and Beverly Jordan have organized a tour of the Nutrition Research Institute at the NC Research Campus in Kannapolis on May 7th. Those interested in attending are asked to notify the Rotary office. You will meet at Noon for lunch at Restaurant Forty Six, located at Cannon Village, 101 West Avenue, Kannapolis (704-250-4646). The tour will begin at 1:30 and should last for a couple hours.

World Affairs Council of Charlotte will present the World Citizen Award to The Carolinas Freedom Foundation (founded by Col. J. Quincy Collins, Jr., USAF, Ret.) on May 7, 2009 at the Westin Charlotte Hotel. In addition, the Harold P. Josephson Award will be presented to Donald E. Haack posthumously for his significant contributions to the Council and the international life of the community. For tickets or questions, contact the Council's office at 704-687-7757, 704-687-7759 or Mike Hawley at 704-331-7438. Payment deadline is April 24th.

The National Rotarian I Bat for the Cure Prostate Cancer Foundation Program is coming to the Charlotte Knights Stadium on June 5th. Charlotte Rotarians are eligible to purchase Lower Level Reserve tickets for $8. We also need 3 or 4 Rotarians to man a table at the game to help distribute the Prostate Cancer information. There is a minimum of 20 people attending to get this ticket price. If you have an interest, please contact the Rotary office immediately.