Our Greeter today was Ronnee Klotz and she did a marvelous job.
President Jeanne Shipe rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. to open the meeting and welcomed all to AWRC. Then Ronnee Klotz gave a very nice invocation
Pres. Jeanne began the meeting having the members recite the 4 Way test, followed with our saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
GUESTS: Dave Dries, Pres. Spring Twsp. RC; Wilmer Schultz, Emmaus RC.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEALS ON WHEELS PLAN:
Dorothy Bloom previously explained that the merger has added more stringent requirements for new volunteers. But those AW Volunteers who have done it before are “grandfathered in” and may continue.
A sign-up sheet went around for Monday February 18th starting at 10:30 A.M. at Trinity Baptist Church.
Here is a photo of a M.O.W. volunteer group from about 2014:
DINING OUT:
February 28, Thursday, Tacos and Tequila Cocina and Cantina, 520 Hamilton St., Allentown, at 6 pm. A sign-up sheet went around today.
March 28, Thursday, Gio's Italian Grill, 6465 Village Lane, Macungie, (Route 100) at 6 P.M.
April 28, Sunday TT5 at the Holiday Inn 4 to 7 P.M.
TT5:
Gwenn Carr distributed information detailing the need for donations of saleable items for the TT5 Auction. We need about 150 things.
AUCTION ITEM PREVIEW:
See separate article.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
Jean Masiko needs a volunteer for this Friday, February 8 evening.
BANNER PRESENTATION:
DGE Herb Klotz presented President Jeanne with a Banner from India and a Banner from California. Herb attended the annual Rotary International Assembly in San Diego two weeks ago and made some new friends.
THE E.R.E.Y. STORY:
Barbara Kistler, our RI Foundation Chair, employed four members this morning to hold up these four letters in the proper sequence. E.R.E.Y. stands for “Every Rotarian Every Year. Barb explained the importance of our supporting OUR Rotary Foundation with regular donations to the Annual Fund. We are striving for 100% participation. Go to rotary.org and click on “donate” or give a check to Barbara. Matching dollars up to $100 or recognition points still are available.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AWARD:
Barb Kistler awarded a PHF +1 lapel pin to our newly inducted member, Al Lewis. Congratulations, Al, and thank you.
FOUNDATION GALA IS COMING:
Barb Kistler said that the annual D7430 Foundation Gala will be held on Saturday March 23rd at the Pottstown Brookside CC. It is a costume event for those who wish to do so.
NEXT MEETING:
February 13th . Our Greeter will be John Scott. Our program is our Board & Committee Members re What's up with A-W?
Pres. Jeanne introduced our Sgt-at-Arms, Mitch Huston who conducted the drawings and collected Happy Dollars.
The door prize gift card donated by Ronnee Klotz was won by Len Salines .
The $55 pot of the 50:50 was NOT won by Wilmer Schultz’s ticket being drawn followed by a white marble. Eight marbles will be around for next week.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Guest Speaker Bill Tuszynski is happy that we do not meet as early as the Harleysville RC -- 7:05 A.M.
Marlene Heller is happy that husband Gary’s photograph on display in the Allentown Art Museum received a First Honorable mention.
Ralph Witcher is happy that he was the “Y” in E.R.E.Y. this morning. Also he liked one of the Super Bowl commercials that nobody remembered seeing.
Gail Micca said that she especially liked the Mr. Bubbly Super Bowl commercial.
Barb Kistler is most happy to report that her daughter-in-law is doing much better.
Al Lewis is happy that he received his PHF award this morning. More importantly, Hilda is doing well after surgery, and his two daughters have been a great support team.
Dan Crane told another silly joke, this time about red and blue paint.
PROGRAM:
The program today was Bill Tuszynski Quakertown RC and Hank Tur Perkasie RC who are our District 7430 ShelterBox, USA Ambassadors
Bill Tuszynski has been a member of Quakertown RC since 2000, serving as club president in 2003-04. Bill founded the club’s November Habitat 5K and March 4 & 10 mile races. He served as Area 6 Assistant Governor from 2012-2017 and became co-ShelterBox Ambassador with Hank Tur of Perkasie in July, 2018.
Bill is a PhD chemist by training, and now is semi-retired and serves as a sales agent and consultant for three companies. He also is an active volunteer for Habitat Bucks and the Science History Institute and is President of the Quakertown Community Education Foundation.
Hank Tur has been in Rotary for 10 years. He is a past president for the Perkasie RC (2015). Hank is in his first year as an Ambassador for ShelterBox with Bill Tuszynski. He spent over 25 years in banking and now handles his own investments.
Bill began by thanking us for having this presentation today. Using a series of slides he and Hank told the ShelterBox, USA story.
ShelterBox is a global organization made up of people who believe in shelter as a human right – that shelter from the chaos of disaster and conflict is vital.
Bill said that there are about 85 million people displaced right now. And 65 million are because of disasters. They are in West Africa, Iraq and Somalia, for example.
The contents of a ShelterBox vary across four versions, some because of the climate. One version includes a kerosene heater. And one is called the U.N. version and it goes into war zones.
Over time some special variations and items have been developed. Bill demonstrated a solar energized LED hand-held light. It lasts about 24 hours on a charge. And the ShelterBox bottom is used as a water filter. And for some climates Mosquito nets are included.
Then there is a special box that has no tent, but includes special tools and tarps. These are directed to people whose dwelling is damaged, but a tent is not appropriate. And they have a “School in a Box” kit to go into areas where there are Teachers and students in need.
ShelterBoxes first were started in 1999 by a member of the Cornwall RC in England. Today there are six sites around the world that house SB inventory.
ShelterBoxes ship any way possible. It can be by Bicycle, Donkey, or whatever. BTW, they each weigh 125 lbs.
Bill noted that ShelterBox USA is not affiliated with Rotary; i.e. they get no funding from RI. They are like Rotaplast and rely on donations specifically for SB purchase.
It is important to note that ShelterBoxes must have reliable support from volunteers who evaluate the needs at a site and then in a week or two help deploy the units. These volunteers have about a year of training, and their bags are packed and they leave on a moment’s notice to help.
And also important are the many Rotarians living in and near disaster areas. They are most helpful in arranging local transportation and helping with Customs.
Bill said that sometimes ShelterBoxes are used in disasters within the U.S. But there are many other agencies that do most of the support.
Bill noted that in 2018 SBs were deployed in 18 countries and served over 200,000 people. By the year 2025 they plan to be able to serve up to one million people.
ShelterBox USA is a highly rated charity. It can use our continued support with donations.
CLOSING:
We closed our meeting by reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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