Our Greeter today was Halyna Stegura, and she did a marvelous job.
President-elect Jeanne Shipe rang the bell at 7:30 A.M. to open the meeting. Chuck Ehninger gave a very nice invocation with a special mention for Joel Masiko.
P-E Jeanne began the meeting having the members recite the Five-way Test with the fifth question, “Is it Fun?” We recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the U.S.
GUESTS: Gail Micca, soon to be a member; David Haight, guest of Al Lewis; the group from Meals On Wheels; and Dale Hostetter and Shirley Randall were with us today.
P-E Jeanne showed photographs starting with Marti, our Y.E. student from Argentina last year. Then we saw The Volunteers at Lowhill Food Pantry and at Kingdom Life Food Pantry.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
Please remember that the Collection jar is at the registration desk for cash and check contributions.
NEW PROJECTS APPLICATION FORM:
Gary Englehardt distributed a new form recently created to be used by members to suggest a new “good works” project for our club to support. An executed form will go to the AW Board for review. And the sponsor will explain the proposed project to the board.
SCHEDULE:
President Mike announces upcoming events at our meetings and a list of them appears on our website. A list of the appropriate contact information appears each week in the A-W bulletin.
LUTHER CREST TRI-CEES CONCERT:
The Club funded concert of the Tri-Cees at Luther Crest will be on Monday, Dec. 11 starting at 7:00 PM. AWRC members are invited to attend.
ANOTHER CHRISTMAS PARTY IS PLANNED:
Herb Klotz announced that the Entertainment Committee has arranged for the Thursday Evening Dec 28th meeting to be at Louie’s Italian restaurant starting at 6 P.M.
AWRC TEE-SHIRTS, etc:
P-E Jeanne had samples on display and Gail Micca had order forms for us.
NEXT WEEK:
Our Greeter will be Ginny Sandoval and the program will be Ron Coleman, Realtor providing an Overview of the Current Real Estate Market.
P-E Jeanne introduced our substitute S-a-A Geoff Legg who conducted the raffle drawings. And Geoff delighted in finding reasons why members should pay a dollar.
The door prize Poinsettia donated by Halyna Stegura was won by Amir Famili.
The $56 pot of the 50:50 was not won by Wendy Weaver’s ticket. Lots of white marbles remain.
HAPPY DOLLARS:
Wendy Weaver gave us an update on her Niece, Heather, who suffered a fall and paralysis over a year ago. Heather had some down months and then a dynamic duo of a Chiropractor and a Physical Therapist teamed up to take the challenge of a new rehab program. They have been donating 3 to 4 hour sessions for 3 days each week, and the results are very good. The outlook is positive now for Heather to be on her own by next Summer, we hope.
Gwenn Carr said that their granddaughter has announced that all of her Christmas gifts from the whole family should be given to Joseph’s House. Wow!
Dan Crane is happy that Gary & Gwenn created the new project application form. And he is happy to hear Wendy’s report about Heather.
Bill Palmer is most pleased with the Meals On Wheels program that assigns shoppers that will get your groceries for those who cannot drive. His are great.
Dorothy Bloom is happy to have all of her friends and co-workers here from Meals On Wheels today.
Bill Weber told of his latest M.O.W. story when a recipient firmly informed him that he was late at 12:03 P.M.
Sue Weber told of her not getting a response at a client’s house, and entering and finding him non-responsive. The EMTs took him and he had a mild heart attack, but now is back home. This is a side of the M.O.W. services that is not readily apparent.
Al Lewis is happy that his new Luther Crest friend, Dave Haight, is here today. And Al and Hilda thought that the Sunday AW Christmas party was great.
Geoff Legg said that while in Bermuda 2 weeks ago he looked into attending a local Rotary meeting. His research showed that the meeting was scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 P.M. He did not go.
Jeanne Shipe told us that as a result of last week’s program several members are planning to join the D.A.R.
PROGRAM:
Our program today was the presentation of the annual AW Rotary Service Award to Pamela S Bechtel from Meals on Wheels of Lehigh County. Chuck Ehninger, the committee chair, introduced Pam and described her 18 years of service with M.O.W. and her recent retirement as its Executive Director.
Chuck presented Pam with a certificate and also a check for $250 that Pam can donate wherever she wishes. She gave it to M.O.W. Chuck also presented M.O.W. with a $500 donation from AW Members to support the “Blizzard Packs” program that ensures that clients have food when bad weather hinders deliveries.
Pam thanked the AW members and expressed her appreciation for all of the members support over the years. The latest $750 donated brings the total to over $14,000.
Our speaker that followed was Michele Grasso, Director of Development and Communications for M.O.W. Meals on Wheels operates in virtually every community in America through its network of more than 5,000 independently-run local programs. While the diversity of each program's services and operations may vary based on the needs and resources of their communities, they are all committed to supporting their senior neighbors to live healthier and more nourished lives in their own homes.
At the core of the Meals on Wheels service is a nutritious meal, companionship and a watchful eye on the health and safety of our seniors. For those who have trouble getting around, we bring the service to you. For those who can still venture out into their communities, we serve in gathering places, such as senior centers and community facilities.
Michelle showed a video that included many client testimonials about the needs that are being met. They have 66 volunteers here in Lehigh County that deliver meals 5 days a week for 52 weeks a year. And 96% say it is their main source of food.
Many AW members told of their good experiences delivering for M.O.W. And just call their office, if you would like to volunteer.
CLOSING:
We closed the meeting by reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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