Trying to make a difference is what it’s all about for two former Westby graduates, Chelsey Myhre-Foster, Claire Brown and their friend John Silvers of Boscobel, who will be traveling to Nicaragua in March to work with underprivileged people, who aren’t looking for a hand- out, just some help getting life on track.

The international project will be the first for the Rotaract Club of La Crosse, a rotary sponsored service club for young men and women between the ages of 18 to 30, whose club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace and eradicate polio under the motto "Service Above Self."

From March 4-20, Myhre-Foster, Brown and Silvers will spend 17 days working with other service project organizations traveling to Nicaragua at the same time, where they will distribute school supplies and dental hygiene products, participate in a clean water and well project and assist with maintenance and improvement of nursing homes, schools, clinics, and buildings in Jinotega, Nicaragua. The group will also meet with the Rotary clubs of Jinotega-Las Brumas, and in the capital city of Managua, to exchange ideas on how to best serve the people of Nicaragua.

The 2010 trip to Nicaragua will be the second for Myhre-Foster, a 2008 graduate of Westby Area High School, who participated in a service trip to the country in 2009 while attending college in Texas. Myhre-Foster was so moved by her first mission of hope, that when she transferred back to Wisconsin to continue her education closer to home, she joined the Rotaract Club of La Crosse in hopes of continuing her voluntary work, while getting the club involved in the international service project program.

“Worldwide the need is so great and we really are sheltered from it living in the United States. Once you get involved and you see what a difference just a few days and a few extra hands can make, you’re hooked and you want to keep helping,” Myhre-Foster said.

Unlike her friends, Brown was exposed to diverse areas of the country before moving to the Chaseburg-Coon Valley area and graduating from Westby in 2008. She believes the Nicaragua project will help raise her own awareness of life outside the Coulee Region and provide her with a broader perspective of what needs to be done worldwide to promote change for underprivileged countries.

At 6’10” tall, Silvers, a graduate of Boscobel, will stand out no matter where he travels. He’s excited about the Nicaragua trip and feels the time is right for him to participate in such a service project.

Silvers was attending Viterbo University on an athletic scholarship, but took a break from classes and sports to get his life in order. After joining the Rotaract Club, Silvers desired to learn more about how he could make a difference, both locally and internationally. One thing’s for sure Myhre-Foster and Brown won’t need GPS to locate their friend in Nicaragua, who towers above the majority of the population on a daily basis, in combination with his blond hair, fair skin and athletic frame, he shouldn’t wander away unnoticed.

Myhre-Foster, Brown and Silvers are hoping to offset the $1,500 cost of the trip with proceeds from an auction on February 4, at Western Technical College’s new Lunda Center in La Crosse. The three amigos are auctioning off their own services including babysitting, yard work, swimming lessons and more, as well as items donated from local businesses. Anyone unable to attend the auction, but still wanting to make a tax deductible donation before March 1, 2010, should contact Chelsey Myhre-Foster (608) 619-0011 or Myhrefosterc@students.westerntc.edu.

Monetary donations can be sent to the Rotaract Club of La Crosse, % International Project, 308 Main Street, La Crosse Wis. 54601 and donations of school supplies or hygiene products to be delivered to Nicaragua can be made by contacting Myhre-Foster at the above phone number or e-mail address.

“We take so many things for granted everyday and it’s just not like that in places like Nicaragua. There we work one on one with people teaching them how to use a tooth brush and hold a pencil, but we need your help to make it happen,” Myhre-Foster said.

Recently the Rotaract Club, including Myhre-Foster, Brown and Silvers were involved with other local projects including: a Habitat for Humanity house; a winter clothing drive including donations to the Bethel Butikk in Westby; the Rotary Lights display in La Crosse; and a bake sale during Downtown Holiday Open House for the Polio Project.

“The clothing drive box at Westby Area High School was overflowing during the holidays. It surpassed anything we could have imagined. Everyone was so generous and we’re hoping this mission of hope generates the same amount of enthusiasm from everyone involved,” Brown said.

Upon their return from Nicaragua, Myhre-Foster, Brown and Silvers are hoping to visit area schools and organizations, which assisted them with the project, with a presentation from the service trip, complete with a photographic display of their donations at work.

“These people need pencils, paper and tooth brushes. The simple things mean so much and the smallest donation can make a difference and change a life,” Silvers said.