Today's meeting was held via Zoom, with 30 people online. President Gail Micca rang the bell at 7:30 to begin the meeting.
Bill Weber gave the invocation. Afterwards, he shared the sad news of the passing of longtime member George Ikeda, who died yesterday at age 99. George's son had called the Webers to share the news of his passing yesterday.
GUESTS ONLINE included our Student of the Month, Julia Remaley, and her mother, as well as Dr. Mark Covelle, LTCI Director of Academics and Special Programs, Clay Reilly, and Nick Millward, coming to us from overseas again. Nick's mother, Bonnie Millward, was with us as well. His aunt and uncle joined the call a little later.
Jeff Kistler introduced Julia Remaley, December Student of the Month (see article above). Dr. Covelle told us that Julia was LTCI's first female class president.
Following the presentation, Julia decided to stay for the entire meeting, after which she expressed her desire to learn more about our RC and perhaps become a member.
Today's HISTORY NUGGET was narrated by Ernie Boles who celebrates 52 years of membership this month. Ernie told us about Rotary's relationship with the campaign to END POLIO; how it got started and where we are today, with only two cases showing up in the countries of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Marlene Heller presented the MEMBERSHIP MINUTE, focusing on sharing posts on social media. She emphasized the importance of going to our Facebook page, clicking share, and reposting on our own pages in order to interest more people in joining Allentown West.
Gil Keller is celebrating his 50th year of membership in Rotary today! Members are asked to reach out to him and congratulate him.
Barb Kistler shared that tonight is a WELCOME TO ROTARY Zoom presentation. All members, but especially new and almost-new members are invited to attend:
Topic: Get Going with Allentown West Rotary Club
Time: Dec 1, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time
HAPPY DOLLARS & CHIT CHAT:
Karen Rodgers had a wonderful Thanksgiving with her children home from school, and they brought two friends with them whose homes are in Lithuania and Germany, making for a merry and grateful holiday.
Bill Weber shared that Sue is doing well and is still on schedule for further treatment in December.
Nick Millward will be back in PA for the holidays. He is studying power and corruption and, don't tell his parents, but he's thinking of growing a beard.
SERVICE UPDATE
KINGDOM LIFE: Volunteers are needed for the December 11 distribution.
Kathy Ott: delivered gift cards to Pediatric Cancer. They were very appreciative of receiving the $350, and the same amount went to Family Promise. Meals on Wheels is moving along; new people still welcome. Dec. 15 snackpacking at Parkland. If you can help, we can use you, and there will be a little Christmas celebration as well afterwards. Kathy will be liaison between AWRC and STEM YEA. Doing fundraising and registration.
Thursday night at the LEHIGH VALLEY ZOO should be a fantastic event, and people can still join up.
FUNDRAISING
Len: planning continues for Casino Night. Still looking for prizes and sponsors, and for everyone in the club to get involved in some way. Next planning meeting will be on 12/12.
Gail Micca showed a slide with a coffee mug inscribed with our 60th anniversary logo on one side and a clever quote on the other, and asked if we would like these mugs. The response was positive.
PROGRAM
Nick Millward introduced his good friend, Aiana Tazabekova, who is the Sponsorship Coordinator at the Babushka Adoption Charitable Foundation in Kyrgyzstan.
Aiana started volunteering with the organization when she was a teenager. Now 23, she joined the staff two years ago as a professional. Currently, she has been taking on greater responsibilities following a bus accident that has befallen the director.
As a country, Aiana explained, they didn’t have as much freedom as other countries. But they always fought for their freedom, despite challenges such as poverty and gender inequality and class inequality and political instability. When the USSR was dissolved, there were many other issues that come with it. People had leave to find better salaries. The average pension was about $60 a month. Women retire at age 68; men at 63.
The Babushka Agency was established in 1999 as an NGO. "Babushka" means grandmother. "We help people over 65 with dire financial situations. We look at pensions first, then family situations. People over age of 79 are left alone. They don’t have people to rely on. Our mission is to restore dignity to vulnerable people; give them love, hope, and care so they are not isolated. We protect and promote their rights on national and local levels. We try to empower them by giving them knowledge, resources so they learn to rely on themselves," Aiana told us.
The goal is to help them financially, find sponsors for each one, and connect them. The organization checks with social welfare agencies and checks on their pensions. "We have 261 sponsors, mostly from Switzerland, Denmark, USA, and other countries. Social assistance, we try to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. We try to organize some income-generating activities. We participate in hearings with the government and fight for legislation to promote their rights so their voices are heard. Communication is very important to them because they are so isolated. Activities are important to keep them active, too," she said.
Seven years ago they helped to establish day centers that are always open for people to attend, socialize, participate in activities, art, and to generally improve the well-being of elderly.
Currently, there are 147 people on the waiting list waiting for sponsors. It costs $200 per year for one babushka or debushka (grandfather).
Anyone can sponsor a "babushka" by going to the organization's website:
After the presentation, President Gail ended the meeting as we recited our motto: One profits most who serves best.
Next meeting: Dec. 8 Starlite Diner
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