[D9640general] [eFlash_Rotary] Digest Number 852

[Garry Krischock]

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. Messages In This Digest (2 Messages) 

1. 1616: <>  District 2430 Rotarians to host short-film festival From: Sunil
K Zachariah 

2. 1617: Serving up holiday cheer <>  at the North Pole From: Sunil K
Zachariah 

 Messages 

1.
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1535;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcXRmN
21rBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1M
zUEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyOTY3NDgyMQ--> 1616: District 2430
Rotarians to host short-film festival 

 Thu Dec 18, 2008 3:55 pm (PST) 

District 2430 Rotarians to host short-film festival By Diana Schoberg
[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/filmfest.jpg]
Filmmakers are invited to submit entries for the short-film festival by
31 December, on themes such as world peace, child mortality, literacy,
and clean water.
In February, District 2430 Rotarians in Turkey will host their first
annual international short-film festival <http://www.rofife.org/eng/> ,
with the goal of tackling major global issues through film.

Filmmakers are invited to submit entries on themes such as world peace,
child mortality, literacy, and clean water. The deadline is 31 December.

"We realized that the short-film contests that have become popular
worldwide are able to move large groups of young people and
intellectuals," Past District Governor Malik Aviral, a member of the
Rotary Club of Ankara-Kavaklidere and chair of the film festival
committee, wrote in an e-mail. "Our first aim is to raise awareness
of Rotary by these short films, which have the same focuses as
Rotary."

Aviral said the Turkish film industry is rising in prominence, gaining
recognition at international film festivals. At the 2008 Cannes Film
Festival, Nuri Bilge Ceylan was named best director for his movie Three
Monkeys.

The festival, which will be held 24-27 February in Ankara, has already
received entries -- from Rotarians and non-Rotarians --
from countries including Brazil, Romania, Greece, Denmark, and Germany.
Organizers hope that the event will offer an opportunity to bring people
together to foster global harmony.

The contest will be judged by film directors, artists, and other
experts. Prizes will be awarded in the categories of improvisation and
animation.

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

Organizers plan to make the festival an annual event, held during the
week of 23 February to help celebrate Rotary's anniversary.

2
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eFlash_Rotary/message/1536;_ylc=X3oDMTJxcHZyd
GFyBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE1BGdycElkAzI3ODYwNzYEZ3Jwc3BJZAMxNzA1MDY0MDg2BG1zZ0lkAzE1M
zYEc2VjA2Rtc2cEc2xrA3Ztc2cEc3RpbWUDMTIyOTY3NDgyMQ--> 1617: Serving up
holiday cheer at the North Pole 

Thu Dec 18, 2008 4:03 pm (PST) 

Serving up holiday cheer at the North Pole By Arnold R. Grahl
[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/fantasyflight2.jpg] 
[http://www.rotary.org/SiteCollectionImages/News/fantasyflight1.jpg]
Yvonne Hoffman, a member of the Rotary Club of Herndon, Virginia, USA,
helps a Fantasy Flight guest make a holiday craft. Below; a guest makes
a holiday bracelet at the craft table, sponsored by the club. Photos by
Mary Drum/Rotary Club of Herndon
About 150 gravely ill children and their families embarked on a special
"flight" to the North Pole on 13 December, aboard a Boeing 777
out of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C..

For the second year in a row, members of the Rotary Club of Herndon,
Virginia, USA <http://www.herndonrotary.org/> , were there to see them
off and help the children make holiday crafts as they prepared to meet
Santa and Mrs. Claus.

"It's magical for the kids," says Steve Cohen, a member of the Herndon
club and one of many United Airlines employees who volunteer for the
annual Fantasy Flight. "Everyone forgets what's happening in their
lives, and for a couple of hours, including for the parents, it's a
winter wonderland."

Since 1990, United Airlines has partnered with Children's Hospice
International <http://www.chionline.org/> to bring the joy of the
holidays to children battling terminal illnesses. The children, selected
from hospitals and hospices in the region, were shuttled from the main
terminal to Gate D7, where they and a few family members boarded United
Flight 9908. The plane headed onto the runway and the pilot throttled
up, simulating a takeoff.

The pilot then threw the engines into reverse before taxiing back to
Gate D29, decorated as the North Pole. Cartoon characters, musicians,
face painters, and other entertainers joined Santa and Mrs. Claus, who
distributed gifts selected from the kids' wish lists.

Cohen, a flight attendant, has taken part in the Fantasy Flight for five
years. When organizers faced a shortage of volunteers last year, Cohen
suggested that members of his Rotary club could help.
Holiday crafts
This year, United welcomed the club back, and a dozen Rotarians, joined
by Charles Davidson, governor of Rotary International District 7610
(Virginia), helped the guests make Christmas ornaments, decorate
gingerbread cookies, and create Christmas cards.

"The children were really enjoying themselves," says Davidson. "You
could see the great expressions of excitement on their faces. At least
for part of the day, they could forget about their personal troubles."

Chazz Banks, manager of international operations for United Airlines at
Dulles and chair of the event, says his team appreciates the Herndon
club's help. "It's a massive undertaking."

"It's a wonderful experience for everyone," Cohen says. "We feel very
grateful for United allowing us, as an outside organization, to be
involved."

Davidson says the event gave Rotary great exposure, and "shows what you
can do partnering with other people."

Cohen hopes to encourage clubs in other cities where United has a hub to
get involved in the program. Banks says other Fantasy Flights were
planned this year in Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; Chicago; and
Los Angeles.

Source: Rotary International News / Courtesy: eFlash_Rotary

 

 

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