Our Greeter today was Murtaza Jaffer -- again -- , and he did a marvelous job.
President Amir Famili opened the meeting and welcomed all. Then Pastor Jean Masiko gave a very nice invocation, including special praying for Ronnee Klotz..
Secretary John Scott began the meeting by having the members recite The Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag. Then he led us in reciting the Four Way Test. John also reviewed some of the upcoming
P-E Ralph Witcher read aloud the names of member birthdays for January. We sang Happy Birthday.
Then he read aloud the names and dates that members joined Rotary in January. We applauded.
GUESTS:
Cheyenne Bennett, Compass Point Consulting, guest of Murtaza Jaffer; Ingrid and Debbie from the Slatington RC.
Also noteworthy was the arrival of Bill and Sue Weber for the meeting to much applause.
PURPLE PINKIE 5K:
Race Director John Scott told us that the 2020 event will have an Oktoberfest theme.
POSSIBLE OUTBOUND YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT:
This week Sue Weber and Bill will be interviewing a candidate to join the Outbound group for this Fall.
DONATIONS ARE NEEDED:
Dottie Bloom is charged with setting up and stocking a Hospitality Room for both Friday and Saturday evenings at OUR April 24 and 25 District Conference. Donations of Beer, Wine and snacks for at least 40 guests are needed. Please contact Dottie at bloomnbunny@ptd.net.
NEW BAD WEATHER POLICY:
Pres. Amir announced last week that our policy now is to cancel a meeting for bad weather whenever the Parkland Schools are closed; i.e. NOT A DELAY.
TEMPTING TASTES-6 CALL TO ACTION:
P-E Ralph Witcher is leading this year’s major fundraising effort and needs a lot of help to get everything done for the MARCH 22nd event. The planning meeting dates and times are listed herein. We are planning to net at least $30,000 this year.
Each of us is asked to add our name and state where we can help on the papers on our tables. Each member is asked to buy at least two tickets to TT6 and to try to get others to buy them and to sponsor tables too.
LOWHILL FOOD PANTRY:
This great group still depends on cash donations from AW Rotarians. And volunteering for the produce pick-up and distribution on Saturday mornings is a very satisfying thing.
THURSDAY EVENING SCHEDULE:
Jan 23 will be held at the Starlite Diner starting at 5:30 P.M. in the private back room.
NEXT MORNING MEETING:
January 22nd at Luther Crest with Jeffrey Kistler as our Greeter. The program will be Chris Nelson of the Bethlehem Rotary Club regarding Human Trafficking.
INDUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS:
Justin Schell and Keith Hoffman were inducted into AWRC this morning as Active members. Gwenn Carr conducted the ceremony. Amir Famili and Laurie Grube are their sponsors. Congratulations and welcome, Justin and Keith.
Pres. Amir introduced Sgt.-at-Arms Len Salines who conducted the drawings and collected Happy Dollars. He started with a bad joke about ants.
The door prize donated by Murtaza Jaffer was won by Ralph Witcher.
The $111 pot of the 50:50 was won by Bill Palmer’s ticket being drawn followed by THE BLACK marble. Lots of marbles will be back next time.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Sue Weber is very happy to be back at an AW meeting with Bill and thanks us all for prayers and support.
Bill Weber also is happy to be here and extends his thanks.
Ernie Boll is just plain happy.
Laurie Grube is happy that Keith Hoffman has been inducted.
Ralph Witcher donated $20 for all the good things today.
PROGRAM:
Pres. Amir introduced our speaker, Dawn Stillwagen from Meals on Wheels. Dawn is a native of Allentown, previously worked at Shriner’s Hospital in Philadelphia, and now has 19 years with Meals on Wheels.
Using a series of slides, Dawn told the story of the Meals on Wheels Core Programs. Dawn spoke about who has no family, so this is the only source for groceries & household supplies. Volunteers not only shop, but help to put away groceries for clients and provides an important check on any change of condition with clients.
Dawn explained that about a year ago the Lehigh County and Northampton County Meals on Wheels groups merged into a single Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley. And in about a year they all will be together at a new facility on Sherman St. in Allentown.
Dawn said that their Volunteers are the heart and soul of their operation. And she noted that local colleges have their nursing students learn all about Meals on Wheels.
One national statistic is that 28,000 Lehigh Valley Seniors cannot prepare their own meals. Many of these seniors have arthritis or other medical conditions that make it difficult for them to stand for periods of time. Meals on Wheels serve roughly 2,000 (7%) of all the seniors that need help preparing food in the Lehigh Valley
Recipients of Meals on Wheels include;
Most are over the age of 75
Most have incomes less than $1,300 per month
Home bound
High risk
Most have multiple chronic diseases that impact their diet choices
Meals on Wheels Wrap-around Services
These additional services have been added over time to meet their client’s needs. For example, they realized that many clients were struggling to keep their animals and even giving their home delivered meals to their pets. They created Ani-Meals, which provides regular pet food to their clients.
Sample meal Menus are approved by a licensed Dietitian. Menus comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Act (DGA). Meals provide each participating older individual a minimum of one-third of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) or RDA requirements if one meal is served, a minimum of two-thirds of the DRIs if two are served
Their program complies with the Older Americans Act (OAA) as amended. They adhere to Pennsylvania Department of Aging Nutrition Services Aging Program Directive (APD) recommendations for senior citizens. They comply with every major health standard and are inspected by the Bureau of Health.
MOWGLV offers individually customized meals based on dietary restrictions, medical requirements and personal preference. All meals are low in salt, cholesterol and fat, the meal are also diabetic and cardiac friendly across the board.
This food is incorporated into 460,000 meals per year.
How we can help:
Volunteer – meal deliveries or shopping
Pet Food Drive – including cat litter. We ask that all bags are 5 lbs or smaller.
Donate
Pass the word – Like them on Facebook and share their stories with your friends.
CLOSING:
Pres. Amir closed our meeting by our reciting the saying “One profits most who serves best.”
Photos by Gary Heller
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