H2OpenDoors is a project of Rotary International. In the last 5 years, they've installed 23 purified water bottling plants in 9 countries. These SunSpring-centered facilities provide 5000 gallons per day of safe drinking water. Enough for 10,000 people to have 1/2 gallon of water every day for over 10 years. This past January, in collaboration with your Eden Prairie AM, Edina Noon, and several California Clubs, H2OpenDoors installed a SunSpring in the Escuintla National Pediatric Hospital in Guatemala. Pure water is life changing!
Cecile Bedor shared information about CommonBond and CommonBond Communities. She provided an overview of the mission and visions of CommonBond. CommonBond’s mission is to build stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities. CommonBond’s vision is for every person to have a dignified, affordable home that supports independence and advancement within a flourishing community.
Cecile also discussed the CommonBond project off of Eden Prairie Road. It is a new development complex designed as a less expensive option for senior housing. This project also has certain rooms designed for military veterans and or those seniors with disabilities.
If you are interested in more information or a potential future resident, please contact Kelsey.voyce@commonbond.org.
Announcements
Jane McGinty discussed more into the PROP Shop donation drive. She encourages the EP AM Rotarians to donate. She also introduced a 2-hour challenge for the Rotarians where she encourages you to go around your house for 2-hours to find items you can donate to the PROP Shop donation drive. As a reminder, the PROP Shop is in need of gently used or new: pots and pans, silverware, bed pillows, blankets and bed sheets, towels, kids clothing, tennis shoes, mittens, winter coats, new socks and underwear (all sizes).
Jane McGinty also announced the Pool Party social event is rescheduled to August 23. Bring the family from 2-4 pm at the McGinty’s for a fun time.
Spotlight on Gary Bergren
Gary was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Gary has lived in several different locations in Iowa and Nebraska before he moved to Minnesota. He attended Hopkins High School and then continued his education at the University of Minnesota. Gary was in the army and is a Vietnam veteran. Gary met his wife on Valentine’s day and have been married for 52 years. Gary retired in 2004 and has been enjoying retirement ever since. Gary has been a Rotary member since 1982.
PROP Shop Executive Director, Cindy Eddy on PROP Shop on PROP Shop’s Current Initiatives and Needs
The Rotary's August 18th guest was the Executive Director of PROP Shop, Cindy Eddy. Cindy Eddy talked to the Rotary about the PROP Shop and its characteristics. She mentioned that the PROP Shop is self sufficient. She also talked about the families that the PROP Shop helps with the majority of them being white, but the PROP Shop also serves a fair amount of Hispanic, Russian, and Somalian families. All of these families are in trouble especially now with the ongoing pandemic.
To better convey the situations these families are in, she shared a story about a little boy and his mother who were in the parking lot of PROP Shop when the little boy fainted, but the mother couldn't get any help because they didn't have health insurance. On the other hand, she stated that there is a bright side because these people usually get back on their feet, and they end up donating to the shop or working at the shop. Some individuals that were in need were so surprised and thankful that people were so kind enough to give away important items, which shows that if we all step up a little bit, we can all make a big difference in someone's life.
The PROP Shop has helped so many individuals over the past few years because Eden Prairie is a wonderful Community. In the PROP Shop, the staff only keep 20% of what they receive. She also stated that it is great to be part of a team that is successful. In their early days, many people had told them that couldn't do it, but the individuals at PROP Shop kept on going, and they succeeded. Cindy Eddy has learned a lot from working at the PROP Shop, and one of the most important things was to never judge anybody because you don't know what they are going through or what happened in their lives.
Spotlight on Craig Blixrud:
InCraig Blixrud's vocational, we learned that he is from Alexandria, Minnesota. Craig went to school at the University of Minnesota, and this is where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Later, he worked at Honeywell for 20 years, which is also where he met his wife, Susan. Craig and Susan have four children. Now, Craig is a real estate agent in the Twin Cities with his wife, Susan
Announcements:
Remember to finish the opportunity to volunteer forms and email them to Carol. It is fine if you don't sign up for something.
Our guest speaker for August 25th will be Jon Kaufman, and on September 1st, we will have Mrinalni Iyer and Kevin Gao share a Marketing Presentation with the Rotarians.
Jane McGinty encouraged Rotarians to try to find speakers that align with their own interests.
Happy Fives:
Elaine Larabee isn't going to run for school board this year. George Esbensen is recovering from Lyme Disease.
Their generous support helps sponsor all that our club does in our community and around the world! This includes the Above and Beyond Awards Dinner, the Golden Eagle Awards, the Ethics Lunch and STRIVE scholarships and much more. Interested in becoming a Rotary Sponsor? Click here
Cecile Bedor shared information about CommonBond and CommonBond Communities. She provided an overview of the mission and visions of CommonBond. CommonBond’s mission is to build stable homes, strong futures, and vibrant communities. CommonBond’s vision is for every person to have a dignified, affordable home that supports independence and advancement within a flourishing community. 
Gary was born in Lincoln, Nebraska. Gary has lived in several different locations in Iowa and Nebraska before he moved to Minnesota. He attended Hopkins High School and then continued his education at the University of Minnesota. Gary was in the army and is a Vietnam veteran. Gary met his wife on Valentine’s day and have been married for 52 years. Gary retired in 2004 and has been enjoying retirement ever since. Gary has been a Rotary member since 1982.
The Rotary's August 18th guest was the Executive Director of PROP Shop, Cindy Eddy. Cindy Eddy talked to the Rotary about the PROP Shop and its characteristics. She mentioned that the PROP Shop is self sufficient. She also talked about the families that the PROP Shop helps with the majority of them being white, but the PROP Shop also serves a fair amount of Hispanic, Russian, and Somalian families. All of these families are in trouble especially now with the ongoing pandemic..jpg)
In Craig Blixrud's vocational, we learned that he is from Alexandria, Minnesota. Craig went to school at the University of Minnesota, and this is where he studied Mechanical Engineering. Later, he worked at Honeywell for 20 years, which is also where he met his wife, Susan. Craig and Susan have four children. Now, Craig is a real estate agent in the Twin Cities with his wife, Susan
