Today was a face-to-face meeting where AW Rotarians had a breakfast together, and the food was good. We also had a Zoom meeting. There were 21 people at Brookside CC in Macungie and we had 9 people on line that participated in the meeting remotely.
Amir Famili was our Greeter and he did an excellent job. And President Gail Micca was everywhere else looking after us. Mitch Huston handled registration and 50:50 tickets, and Happy Dollars. P-E John Scott made sure that the P.A. system and the Zoom signals worked for us.
GUESTS:
Nick Millward, friend of the club; AND Honorary member, Wendy Weaver was with us today visiting from Florida.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca rang the bell and welcomed us all.
Pastor Jean Masiko gave a very nice invocation . After some time to eat we recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the U.S.
Pres. Gail led us in the recitation of the Four Way Test to which we added “Is it fun?”
AWRC HISTORY STORY:
Past President Gil Keller told the story of his Father and his serving as AWRC President and the history of the Youth Exchange program in our club.
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail displayed the list of September member events.
CAKE BALL SALES:
In addition to this great meeting Kathy Ott offered up her amazing cake balls. $10 per plate with funds directed to scholarships
THE JEWISH NEW YEAR:
Rosh Hashanah 2021 began in the evening of Monday , September 6 and ends in the evening of Wednesday , September 8.
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
There is an updated list of service opportunities in the coming weeks: on the left side of this bulletin.
This week our garden produce will go to Parkland C.A.R.E.S. with delivery on Saturday.
Next week’s harvest will go to the Lowhill Food Pantry.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY:
Amir Famili emphasized that this work is for a really good cause. They need volunteers each week on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
SHELTER BOX, U/S/A/:
PDG Herb Klotz said that ShelterBoxes are helping in Haiti after the recent earthquake. Gail said that there will be a real ShelterBox on display at the Cornhole Tournament.
ROTARY MEANS BUSINESS:
This is our first social event with 3 other RCs. And members from the Chamber of Commerce. Please bring your friends. A cornhole contest will be attempted. And the food will be very special and fantastic. We are working with the Whitehall Area RC, the LV Passport RC and the Emmaus RC as a start.
THE YVETTE M. PALMER PURPLE PINKIE D7430 ANNUAL 5K ON OCTOBER 2nd:
Race Director, John Scott, said that the race and walk will take place on the Schnecksville Fair Grounds near LCCC in the morning. The route includes going across a covered bridge. OktoberFest will follow.
Please register for the race. AND note that there is a virtual option this year for a lesser fee and no Tee-Shirt.
And we need volunteers to help, and donations for prizes, and sponsors for the Tee-Shirts.
Herb Klotz and John Scott will not continue to lead this event. Two positions are open for members to fill.
Herb is planning to run the race this year himself.
FUNDRAISING:
Chair, Len Salines, said that we need many, many prizes for the events coming up. Please donate.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Kathy Ott said that on Sept. 13th at 9:00 a.m. there will be a Zoom meeting.
On Oct 5th at 11:00 a.m. there will be an Orientation meeting by the M.O.W. people
SNACK PACKING:
Kathy Ott reports that snack packing at Parkland will be on Wednesday, Oct 13th. Workers must wear masks.
Kathy also noted that Family Promise need donations of Gas Cards for the homeless families to use while there is no bus service for them.
BASEBALL IN MONGOLIA:
Nick Millward reports that some items have been received and Tori Morgan is contacting the Iron Pigs. Transportation of the equipment to Mongolia is being arrange. Katrina Sundstrom said that we now have a place to store the stuff until it ships.
GAIL’S BIKING CHALLENGES:
Gail said the work for the coming year fundraising is just getting started. She has committed to a 350 mile bike trail ride from Niagara Falls to Albany NY from Oct 3-9. That's 60 miles a day.
If you haven't sponsored Gail yet or you'd like to throw some more $$ in support of this effort, please let Gail know. The next fundraiser will be targeted for Youth programs in our community. As you know, this is a big part of what we do at Allentown West Rotary and we need to get the ball rolling for next year!
$10 per mile would equal $3,500! no limit to how many miles you can pledge. And if anyone would like to step up to match these funds, let Gail know.”
EAST PENN NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS:
Pres. Gail said that Dale Heffner ho is on their b.o.d., is asking for help in finding a 3 bedroom apartment for $1,400 a month.
HAPPY DOLLARS & GAMBLING:
Mitch Huston had a ticket drawn for the $30 50:50 Prize which was won by Bill Palmer who gave it to the club. The $10 door prize was won by Diana Dunn.
Bill Palmer is happy that Wendy Weaver was with us today.
Mitch Huston donated $5 in honor of his surviving a plane flight from Hell with a multitude of delays and changes
Sue Weber is happy to see Wendy Weaver here. And she sends us greetings from the Sunset RC in Hilton Head.
Wendy Weaver is $10 happy that Penn State beat Wisconsin last Saturday. And she is happy to be back with so many friends.
Ernie Boll is just happy.
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS:
There will be a hybrid meeting on Sept 22nd at Brookside CC in Macungie.
ALL four October meetings will be via Zoom.
Brookside CC cannot accommodate us beyond September. Our b.o.d. members are looking for a new location for our face-to-face meetings. We may add some Dining Out meetings to provide in-person conversations.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday September 15, 2021 as a Zoom meeting only that will start at 7:15 a.m. as folks sign in. Our program will be Molly Brietbach, Director, Historic Bethlehem Museums to discuss the Historic Bethlehem World Heritage Initiative.
PROGRAM:
Ralph Witcher introduced Michelle Zenie, Executive Director at the Pediatric Cancer Foundation (PCFLV) to provide a Pediatric Cancer Foundation Overview. He said that Michelle is amazing and relevant. In the past Michelle taught school in Parkland and also worked for Rodale.
The PCFLV website says:
About
“With personal experience in the world of pediatric cancer to back her professional expertise, Michelle has been the Executive Director of The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley since January of 2014. Michelle's passion for this cause, along with her business acumen, has helped her grow PCFLV into an award-winning organization and one of the Lehigh Valley's most well-respected non-profits. PCFLV helps over 300 families in the Greater Lehigh Valley area.
“Her vision for PCFLV is to bring a compassionate network of resources and services to families during the most challenging time in their lives, while collaborating with Lehigh Valley businesses, organizations, and community partners. PCFLV works closely with Lehigh Valley Health Network to provide their pediatric oncology patients with programming and services and access to help with bills through the Family Assistance Fund.
“In her personal life, Michelle is blessed to be mom to three kids: Cole (a pediatric cancer survivor), Aidan, and Makenna. She is a Reiki Master, enjoys yoga, and is experimenting with art in her spare time.”
Michelle showed a photo of Cole when he was a skinny 3 year old just diagnosed with cancer, alongside his current 23 year old self who survived. She mentioned that leukemia is a better cancer to get IF you could choose.
In children leukemia and other cancers spread very quickly. She said that the records show there is a lot more pediatric cancer in the Northwestern Lehigh School District. One reason might be all of the farmland around.
Her son Cole received chemo for 2-1/2 years. Every protocol is different for each patient. Most pediatric cancer treatments are terribly hard on the children. Two thirds end up with long-term side effects.
Michelle noted that donating blood is most necessary. Most patients will need some at some time. Michelle said that there are about 30 new cases each year in the L.V.
The PCFLV does not fund research. They just help patients and their families. They hold many fundraisers each year, and they hold many events for the families entertainment. Check their website.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.” And she rang the bell to close the meeting.
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