Today was a Zoom meeting with 25 people on line. After some conversations President Ralph Witcher opened the meeting at 7:30 A.M.
GUESTS ON LINE:
Capt. Nick Millward, Rotary Peace Fellowship winner calling in from Japan, and Mary Jo Roma, our speaker’s Mother, who also talked to us a few weeks ago.
HAPPY DOLLARS and MEMBER NEWS:
Jacob Roma, today’s speaker, was the first on line this morning when your editor came on and welcomed him.
Gail Micca got a discussion going about the AWRC Wednesday meeting start time. Employed members need to start work. Retired members want to sleep in. Gail will conduct an e-mail survey.
Ron Coleman, when pressed by Pres. Ralph, admits to owning at least 25 different hats.
Michelle Steiner is happy to be a member and she has paid her AWRC dues.
Bill Palmer is happy that he now has a Jan 29th appointment at LV Hospital to get his first covid19 vaccination.
Ron Coleman is happy to report that his recent surgical procedure went very well.
Amir Famili is happy to see Mike Gschwendtner and Dottie Bloom on line with us today.
Gail Micca is happy about the prospect of acquiring an additional garden area in South Whitehall Twsp. Stay tuned.
Ron Coleman has a water collection barrel he is happy to donate.
Ralph Witcher is very happy that Kathy Ott now is officially retired, and can work full time with AW Rotarians.
Ralph Witcher said we all make him happy.
Pres. Ralph gave a very nice invocation. Then he led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S.
CELEBRATION DATES:
Pres. Ralph displayed the list of January members and their celebration dates.
Pres. Ralph again said “The world needs more Rotarians.”
THE FOUR-WAY TEST EXAMPLE:
Pres. Ralph played the musical rendition video of the 4 Way Test.
Marlene Heller asked for volunteers to tell about a recent application of the 4 Way Test in their life.
Gail Micca said that the possible new garden project will be a great 4 Way Test example.
MEMBERSHIP:
Chair Tom Friday noted that Mary Jo Roma was on with us today. Tom urges us to continue inviting more guests to work with us on projects, and to learn about Rotary by joining our Zoom meetings.
MONGOLIAN RELIEF UPDATE:
Nick Millward explained how a Cornell University professor has made an hour and a quarter long movie about this relief effort. We can view it Up through January 27th as a pre-screen view for $6 each. Amir Famili e-mailed specific instructions to us last Friday on how to see it.
Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, Member of Parliament in Mongolia on Feb 03, will be our AW speaker about The Green-Eyed Llama. She also is running for President.
GARDEN NEEDS:
Service Chair Gail Micca soon will be buying seeds to start the next crops. She needs some money donations to cover their cost.
PAUL HARRIS FELLOW AWRDS:
Pres. Ralph expressed our thanks for the financial support of the Rotary Foundation by AW members:
Gwenn Carr with a PHF +5
Gail Micca with a PHF +2
YOUR SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:
P-E Gail Micca e-mailed the following project update:
January 16th: Kingdom Life Food Pantry delivery
Jan 19th: Helping to transport SnackPack foods from Jordan Lutheran storage area to Parkland High School by 1:45 pm (Lori Peters and the Interact club do all the packing).
Green Thumbs Garden Project: If you have a green thumb and like to grow plants from seeds, would you consider making some room under your grow lights for some plants for the garden? If you or someone you know has the equipment to grow plants from seeds, but you aren't using it, would you consider donating it or loaning it out? This saves the garden budget a good deal. We are also looking into a small greenhouse set up if you know someone who has one.
If you like administrative work, please let me know as we can find a good fit for you.
Please take a look at this new section on the left side of this bulletin.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S.:
Gail Micca reports “We had an awesome produce delivery at the Parkland C.A.R.E.S. Food Pantry drive through on Saturday January 9th. Geoff Legg’s grandson RJ Corba and my neighbor, Gisella Borelli were fantastic volunteers. Gisella helped me transport produce from Produce Junction after I picked up potatoes, kale and parsley at Second Harvest. In addition, I purchased $353 of produce from Produce Junction which included bananas, apples, oranges, onions and cucumbers. Over 150 families were served.”
“‘And let me not forget to mention my wonderful hubby, Ed! And a little edit - Gisella helped me pack 50 bags and RJ packed 50 for a total of 100!”
Please contact Gail Micca if you would like to help pack and/or deliver produce next month.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD CENTER:
Gail Micca reports “On Saturday, January 16, Kingdom Life Family Center Food Bank will again distribute food to the community in a Drive-Through Grocery Giveaway Process. We need volunteers and we hope that you will be able to give of your time to help with this worthwhile cause. If you would like to volunteer, please arrive by 7:30AM for check-in and instructions. The address is 4333 Lime Kiln Rd, Orefield, PA 18069. “
When you arrive, please tell the parking attendants that you are there to volunteer so they can park you in a specific section of the parking lot. Volunteers will be helping until approximately 10:30AM. Recipients arrive from 8-10AM and must remain in their cars.
To keep everyone safe, we follow rules of social distancing for volunteers. Please wear gloves and masks. Please dress warm - we will be outside and it will be cold.
If you are planning to join us, please email Gail so we know that you are coming. Thank you to all of you who have so faithfully helped over the past few months, Jean Masiko.
STATUS OF MORNING MEETINGS;
The AWRC B.O.D. has suspended all AWRC face-to-face meetings until further notice. Zoom meetings are now scheduled for each Wednesday at 7:30 A.M.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
Wednesday January 13, 2021 starting at 7:30 a.m. We will use Zoom to meet. Our program will be a good one, as usual.
STATUS OF THURSDAY EVENING MEETING:
No Thursday evening meetings are planned until after the pandemic..
PROGRAM:
Pres. Ralph Witcher introduced Jacob Roma, Central Catholic H.S. Graduate, and current Penn State Junior in Happy Valley, to discuss -- THON—FOR THE KIDS. Jacob is majoring in Mathematics and is 20 years old now. Ralph said that Jake helps others to love good works.
Jake thanked us for the invitation and said he was excited to be here. He began by explaining what THON is, besides the ending of the word “marathon.”
THON is a completely student-run philanthropy committed to enhancing the lives of children and families impacted by childhood cancer. THON's mission is to provide emotional and financial support, spread awareness, and ensure funding for critical research—all in pursuit of a cure.
All of those involved are volunteers. Their annual fundraising efforts end with a dance marathon. THON has two sections.
The Executive Committee has 16 College students. The other section is all of the organizations that support these causes. Jake is a Hospitality Production Captain. He sets up promotional events that raise funds.
The things that they do to provide emotional support for families include Zoom calls and hospital visits, and they help out with sick kids.
They fundraise all year. And there is no cost to families for what they do. They raised over $11.6 million last year and 91 % goes to help the children. All funds are processed through Penn State Hospital for Children.
Jake says it is so great to see sick kids having fun. He explained how individual AW members can help. February 19 to 21 is the marathon this year.
CLOSING:
Pres Ralph led us in the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
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