The Tuesday Marshalltown Rotary luncheon meeting was held at Elmwood Country Club. John Fink opened with prayer and Pledge of Allegiance.

Checks from the Rotary club for $500 each were presented to Reach Out and Read and Iowa River Hospice.

Samantha Vance introduced Bev Espenscheid and Amanda Akers, two of the three co-founders of Diamond in the Ruff, an all-volunteer animal foster-based rescue. Lisa Tichy is the other co-founder.

Espenscheid explained that their foster rescue is a complement to the Marshalltown Animal Rescue League and provides food, vet care and training for the animals it fosters. They assess pets in foster homes and then work to place the pet in a suitable home.

Espenscheid explained that the organization which has no physical location survives on donations, Ebay sales, its annual garage sale and its adoption fees. Its veterinary bills are approximately $20,000 a year alone.

President Bill Fitzgerald closed the meeting with the 4 Way Test.

The Marshalltown Rotary club is a network of business, professional and community leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve locally and around the world – and form strong, lasting friendships in the process.