US Army Reserve Sergeant Major Todd Eipperle will be deployed to Kuwait for one year beginning on December 4, 2022.  Todd will serve with the143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), U.S. Army Reserve under the U.S. Central Command.  This will be Todd's third deployment. 

 

From May 2010 to November 2011 as an Iowa National soldier, Todd deployed to Afghanistan with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th infantry Division, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  He was assigned to an Afghan National Army embedded training team to help mentor Afghan police and military leadership.  On July 9, 2011, two weeks before he was scheduled to return home, Todd was driving one of two vehicles in Afghanistan's Panhshir Province, when they were approached by an Afghan security person who started shooting and killed both the driver of the other vehicle and a civilian passenger.  Todd got out of his vehicle and returned fire, killing the attacker however he was shot in the shoulder and near the knee.  He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, with valor, for his actions.   Todd was also deployed from March 2003 to May 2004 to Iraq with the 234th Signal Battalion, Iowa National Guard, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom

 

The Club's "Happy Hour" social with noon & evening club members at B&B Theaters on November 8th was converted to a deployment party for Todd. The club purchased a party package including an hour of bowling and the party room.  Thirty-seven members and guests were present to wish Todd well and to give him a proper Rotary send off.  A highly decorated bowling pin was available for everyone to sign to wish Todd a safe and successful deployment.

   

 

The winners of the bowling prizes were, Kent Patterson - "Highest Bowling Score", Kristofer Orth - "Gutter - Ball??  - Talk??", Patty Munguia - "Fanciest Bowler".

   

Thank you to Cathy Maher for making arrangements for the party including the cake and decorating the bowling pins.

At the District 6000 Foundation dinner on October 22nd, the Rotary Club of Ankeny was recognized for our contributions to the Rotary Foundation.  During the 2021-2022 Rotary year our club made contributions to the Foundation of $23,055 to the Annual fund and $8,392 to Polio Plus for a total of $31,447 which equals $305 per member.  We were also recognized as a 100% Foundation Giving Club.   Rich Job attended the banquet and brought the following letter back to the Club.  

 

On Saturday, October 8th, there was a special event held at the Ankeny Market & Pavilion.  It was called "Pints & Pumpkins" and was a special fall Farmer's Market.  The Evening Rotary Club of Ankeny had a booth at the event.  Over 300 free books were passed throughout the evening.  They also had a PLINKO game that the children could play and win prizes.  A free will donation to the food pantry at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church raised $360 which will go to their food pantry.  This was a great service project for literacy, as well as food insecurity, which are two of Rotary District Governor Steve Wieneke's initiatives this year.  Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with this event.