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Rotary Club: Susitna Project Title: Josh the Baby Otter 1. Describe the project. What was done, when and where did project activities take place? Our Josh the Otter Program during the Pandemic: 4-27-20 Since schools have been closed here in Alaska since the first part of March, and since we do our classroom visits the end of April and the Month of May, we decided to get creative with our program for the remainder of the year. Our "Momma Otter", Claire Horton and her husband, Phil own Denali Refuse. In thinking of a way to get Josh out in the Community, Claire started a "Josh Spotter" contest. This is similar to the bear spotting that many communities are doing while schools are closed and people are social distancing. Josh has been traveling around in the refuse truck as they are making their rounds collecting garbage, and if a child spots Josh, they call into Denali Refuse and are entered to win a personal visit from Josh. The first visit, Claire dressed in the Josh Costume and took balloons to the little boy who won the visit. He told Claire that this was the "best day of my life". That inspired her to continue with the program, she gives a plush otter to each winner of the contest when she visits in addition to balloons and other swag. In addition, Josh is now going to visit kids on birthdays when their parents call and request it. Josh traveled around in the Denali Refuse jeep also and was a huge hit in the community. To get Josh the Otter's message to kindergarten kids this year, one of our PR committee members has developed a digital program and is sending it to all of the k classes in the Mat Su Valley for the teachers to present. It has the reading of the book, and a video of the Josh the Otter learn to float song. Not as good as in person, but we are getting the messages out. Earlier this year Josh went to Mexico to spread the message of learning to float, never go to the water without an adult and always float with a buddy. Claire and Phil Horton took Josh to Fairbanks in January 2020,to one of our district clubs who bought a costume a couple of years ago but never got the program off to a start. They visited that Rotary Club, and helped them develop a plan to get the program going. During the Summer, Josh was present at the Houston Founders Day celebration with books and water safety material for the kids. He rode in the Palmer ,Ak parade , was at the Mat Su Borough Emergency Preparedness event in Sept. , the Alaska State Fair, a YMCA event, and even made it to a couple of Schools before things shut down. We held Float for Life Classes at the Alaska Club Pool and Wasilla Pool. Our club also stocked Kids Don't Float kiosks around the Valley. Submitted by Kathy Timm 2. How many people benefited from this project? 2,000 ( estimate, but probably way more than that) 3. Who were the beneficiaries, how were they impacted by this project, and what humanitarian need was met? Kindergarten kids in the Mat Su School District, Many members of the Mat Su borough, kids and adults both. Kids who partcipated in the Float for Life Classes. Drowning is one of the main causes of death in kids under 14. The Mat Su Borough has many, many lakes, this projects teaches the kids to learn to float on their back, always swim with a buddy and never go to the water without an adult. Water Safety is Susitna Rotary's signature project. This program teaches kids in a fun way to stay safe around water. 4. How many Rotarians participated in the project? 27 Rotarians 5. What did they do? Please give at least two examples, not including financial support provided to the project. Taught kids to float and swim. Distributed Life Jackets to Kids Don't Float Kiosks Promoted water safety at the State Fair, during the Palmer parade, at Houston Founders day. Took Josh around the Mat Su borough spreading Water Safety. 6. If a cooperating organization was involved, what was its role? We received Financial support from the Mat Su Health Foundation to provide Float for Life swimming lessons for those who could not afford to pay for the pool time. 7. Income
8. Expenditures
District must retain receipts of all expenditures for at least five years. Please scan and upload to the project's "Documents" tab all invoices (be sure they are marked "paid"), receipts and/or copies of checks for the full amount of the project budget. By signing this report, I confirm that to the best of my knowledge these District Grant funds were spent only for eligible items in accordance with Trustee-approved guidelines, and that all of the information contained herein is true and accurate. I also understand that all photographs submitted in connection with this report will become the property of RI and will not be returned. I warrant that I own all rights in the photographs, including copyright, and herby grant RI and TRF a royalty free irrevocable license to use the photographs now or at any time in the future, throughout the world in any manner it so chooses and in any medium now known or later developed. This includes the right to modify the photograph(s) as necessary in RI's sole discretion. This also includes, without limitation, use on or in the web site, magazines, brochures, pamphlets, exhibitions and any other promotional materials of RI and TRF.
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