Today was an off-site In-Person meeting at Northwestern Lehigh Middle School that began at 8:30 A.M.
There were 20 of us members present, plus 2 on line, and many guests.
Our Greeter was Bill Keba. Chris Blechschmidt handled Registration.
GUESTS:
Dr. William Gruen, Father of our Student of the Month; Jennifer Holman, NWL School District Superintendent; and Bob Machamer.
OPENING:
Pres. Gail Micca opened the meeting at 8:40 after the zoom connection was secure.
Bill Keba gave a nice invocation.
Ron Coleman led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. Flag.
Bill Keba led us in reciting the Four Way Test, and added “Is it Fun?”
CELEBRATIONS:
Pres. Gail reviewed the members celebrations for April. See list below.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH:
Will Gruen was honored as the AWRC Student of the Month.
Nicole McGalla made the presentation. See separate article.
His Father is William "Chip" Gruen, Ph.D. Professor of Religion Studies, Director of the Institute for Religious and Cultural Understanding at Muhlenberg College.
FOUR WAY TEST SPEECH NEXT COMPETITION:
The regional contest that Lily will be in is on April 1st in Emmaus.
NEXT QUICK FUNDRAISER -- MARCH MADNESS SQUARES :
We still can buy squares, said Gail.
THIS IS NOT A BRACKET. Buy & sell as many as you want - No limit!
We are now selling $20 squares just like our Superbowl squares, but with a twist.
Half time will pay out: $200 Final Score will pay out: $400
Twist - EARLY BIRD BONUS WINNINGS: $200
Since we don't know who will be playing in the final game, we are adding a bonus payout for anyone who purchases their squares before the second round, you can choose your top two teams if you purchase by Friday, March 17th. If your teams make it to the final game, this bonus option will be paid (split if there are multiple winners). You may not choose after the second round starts.
This fundraiser will benefit our hungry little friends who receive monthly snackpacks. One sheet will purchase snackpacks for one month. Selling all squares is a $2,000 gross, and $1,400 net.
Half-time winner gets $200. Final score winner gets $400.
D7430 ANNUAL CONFERENCE -- MAY 5 to 7:
DG Len Gieseler tells us:
We are now closer to the registration deadline for our Casino Royal District Conference in Atlantic City, NJ at the beautiful Tropicana. Our team is working hard to bring you a great conference experience and we don't want you to miss out.
I am asking for your support by joining us at YOUR District Conference. We also have great opportunities to show case your club accomplishments and projects by getting a table in the House of Friendship. If you would like to promote your club or business, or send a message, check out the link for our program booklet.
Fun, Rotary and more Fun are in store for you and your family, but you need to be in Atlantic City
May 5-7 to experience it. Don't delay, register today.
VISITING NURSES DONATIONS:
In memory of Halyna Stegura we are collecting donations for this group.
AWRC GREEN THUMB GARDEN:
Rotarians, Diana Dunn, Helen Papathanasiou and Gail Micca along with Parkland Garden Club President Claire Kukielka helped local CSA Farmer Rueben DeMaster at Willow Haven Farms on March 23rd. 600 transplants of peppers and tomatoes, as well as 4,000 seeds were planted. More opportunities to plant are on the horizon.
Farmer Reuben also works with NWL Interact as they volunteer on the farm. Willow Haven Farm donates plants to our Green Thumbs Garden Project and many vegetables to local pantries when they have excess.
Thanks to all! Gail
DINING OUT – APRIL:
Dining out for April will take place on Monday April 3rd at Youell’s Oyster House. Contact Gail Micca, president@allentownwestrotary.org by March 26th. Up to 12 can be seated together.
SNACK PACKING:
The next Snack Packing event at Parkland is on April 12th. Then again on May 17th.
If anyone wants to help, they should email Diana Dunn at dunndianas@gmail.com
The NWL Snack Packing dates are - Wednesday, April 19th at 2:05 and Wednesday, May 17th at 2:05.
ROTARY DAY OF SERVICE:
April 29th is this district-wide event. Pres. Gail has scheduled work at the Green Thumb Garden.
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
The upcoming dates for Kingdom Life Food Pantry Giveaway are:
All Saturdays – April 15 and May 13.
Each time we start at 7:30 A.M. and usually are finished by 9:30 A.M. Volunteers are needed.
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
The Pantry will hold its food distributions on the first Saturday of each month for all of 2023. The next one is on April 1st.
Three volunteers are needed each time.
Food collections for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. will be held the third Wednesday of each month at the Pantry on Kernsville Road.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Takes place twice each week. Helen Papathanasiou needs substitute volunteers.
CAMP NEIDIG, D7430 ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARS (RYLA):
Camp Neidig is a leadership camp hosted by Rotary District 7430. Each June, high school juniors from more than 60 local high schools attend this weekend training and fun event.
INTERACT BREAKFAST:
We may hold one at LCTI.
We will hold one on May 31 at the Parkland H.S. Library. Start time is 7:30 A.M.
SPONSORS ARE NEEDED TO PAY FOR THE STUDENTS’ MEALS.
STEM YEA FUNDRAISER:
Please remember that the Second Annual Big Ticket Reverse Raffle (BTRR) will be held on April 15 at Brookside Country Club, in Pottstown from 5:30-10:00 P.M.
Gwenn Carr reports that they have sold 68 tickets so far, and have $4,500 in sponsors.
D7430 TRAINING ASSEMBLY:
This is open to us all. It is on April 22 at the Bucks County Community College. Registration fee will be reimbursed by the club if you attend.
YOUTH EXCHANGE ISSUES:
Please work with Chris Blechschmidt to take our Y.E. student, Sam, to complete his “bucket list.”
ALSO, we need a family to take in next year’s Y.E. student. The Blechschmidts are not available for 2023-24.
MEETING SCHEDULE:
The second and fourth Wednesday of each month are In-Person meetings at Cedar Crest College.
The first Wednesday of each month will be a Dining Out meeting, or equal. It might not be on a Wednesday.
The third Wednesday of each month will be a ZOOM ONLY meeting with a program.
FUTURE TOURS, ETC.:
All members are asked to make suggestions to Gail Micca about other tours, Dining Out events, etc. for future meetings.
NEXT MORNING MEETING IN-PERSON:
April 12 IN-PERSON at Cedar Crest College starting at 7:30 A.M.
The program will be Patricia Mulqueen, D.A. Northampton County, giving her Classification Talk.
PROGRAM:
Jean Machamer is the Interact club Advisor since 2020. Jean introduced the many NWL faculty members here this morning.
Jean then turned the program over to Will Gruen, President of this Interact club who with his officers facilitated the meeting by providing details of their service projects during the last 12 months.
The many accomplishments of the Interact students include:
Snack packing for anywhere from 64-66 students in the district,
Guest reading at Northwestern Elementary School,
Prepared 24 hygiene kits for the Middle School,
Had a rock painting project for “Safe Trick or Treat Night “ at the High School with over 100 children participating,
Packaged “reindeer food” for the Northwestern/New Tripoli Tree Lighting ceremony (food was seeds and glitter that children spread on their lawns so Santa and his reindeer could see where to land!),
Krispy Kreme fundraiser,
Seeding, planting and harvesting with farmer Reuben DeMaster at Willow Haven Farm - a portion of the organic vegetables were donated to the Lowhill Food Pantry,
Assisted at the AW Green Thumb Garden, l
Labeled books for the Kindergarten Kindness project for incoming kindergarten students.
Their donations:
Purchased $480 of food for the Lowhill Food Pantry,
Donated $150 for the purchase of books for Northwestern Elementary School to be used by our Guest readers, and
Donating $300 to AWRC Foundation as a contribution for a Shelter Box.
Pres. Will thanked Jean Machamer for her guidance and support. Then Pres. Gail presented Will with a tomato plant and a pepper plant.
CLOSING:
Pres. Gail led us in reciting our motto, “One profits most who serves best,” and closed the meeting.
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