Club 25 Rotarians gathered in the Great Lakes Ballroom of the Holiday Inn and enjoyed a time of visiting and catching up with each other. Many hunting stories were told around the tables, and I am sure none of them were exaggerated. All were welcomed by President Steve Yorde and joined him in singing “America the Beautiful” followed with an Invocation by Past President Dick Carlson. Three “Thank You” notes were read by Club Secretary Darlene Anderson. The first note was from Community Action Duluth thanking the club for the $1,620 given to assist with Certified Nurse Assistant training, and two were from former club member spouses, Judy Newman and Phyllis James, thanking Rotary for the roses that were delivered to them.
A different format was used for today's Fellowship Report. President Steve displayed two Duluth News Tribune articles complete with large photos. The first article was an election result report showing Bob and Barb Bennett with Pete Stauber at Blackwood's in Proctor. Then Steve held up the Sunday Outdoor section entitled “Deer Hunting Is About Tradition. For these two friends, it's a tradition spanning 63 years.” The large picture was a good one of Tom McCabe in full blaze orange waiting for the big buck to appear. Tom told us that it has actually been 64 years that he and friend Russ Allen have been joined by family members and friends for their annual deer hunt. That is truly what you call “tradition.” Then followed a large number of Rotarians self-reporting and adding their $2 to the Golden Can. And to be certain that the Golden Can was filled, Bill Abalan offered four tickets to Saturday's UMD/Colorado College hockey game. Scott Frankovich placed his bills in the can and collected the tickets.
The Thanksgiving Food Drive is here, and Past President John Baumgarten announced that we are more than half way to our goal of $7,000 which turns into $28,000 with Super One and their vendor’s matching funds. Gordon Mesedahl of the Salvation Army thanked Club 25 for the 25 year partnership (now 26 years) which provides the funds needed for the Christmas food boxes distributed by the Salvation Army. Last year 1,422 boxes of food were distributed which fed 4,259 people. With the help of a calculator, Gordon estimated that in the past 25 years 35,550 Christmas food boxes were filled and enjoyed by a total of 106,495 people. Once again we see the effects of individuals collectively joining together to make a big impact on the lives of those in our community.
Sunday, November 11, is Veteran's Day, and in the tradition of Club 25 John Baumgarten played the anthem for each branch of our military services as President Steve read the names of each of our veterans asking them to stand as their name was called. Thank you to all of our Veterans for your service.
Chair of the Day and Past President Phil Strom said that today's speaker needed little introduction as we all know Deb Warner who served as our District Governor a year ago. What we may not know is that Deb and her husband Ed bought a condo in the Sheraton, and so we should be seeing much more of them in the future. Deb told us that she has now begun focusing on another area in Rotary – the Rotary Foundation – and has been charged with educating the clubs in our district (and Zone 28-29) about the Foundation. She thanked Club 25 for being the #1 club in District 5580 with donations: $32,840 was given last year by our club. That equates to $120 per member (Rotary International hopes that each member contributes $100). Not only do the funds provide services internationally, but a portion are made available to the district. At this time there is $70,000 available for local projects. Deb encourages our club to apply for some of these funds if there is a project close to our hearts.
Deb invited McKenzie MacFarlane to share why she donates regularly to the Foundation. McKenzie called herself a “broke college student” but knows the impact that each one doing their part can have. She has seen it in person. Having gone on Rotary service trips to Guatemala, she has experienced their appreciation when assistance has been given in building a school or when school supplies have been provided. If club members have questions on how to sign up on-line for regular donations to the Foundation, McKenzie said to call her at the office. She will help, so that you too can experience the joy of having an impact on the lives of others.
Deb then shared about one of the feature projects of the Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus. For years polio was a dreaded disease that affected 350,000 children in 125 countries. Thirty years ago the Rotary Foundation committed its members to eradicating this dreaded disease. Today, through the combined efforts of Rotary International and partners such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, there are only 27 cases of polio worldwide: 19 in Afghanistan and 8 in Pakistan. However, three years have to pass without any new cases being declared before the disease can be considered eradicated. In 2017, there were 22 new cases, so now the three year clock starts again. The goal is within sight, but there is still work to be done. Today there are over 400 million children that need to be vaccinated, a task which involves at least 150,000 workers in 70 countries to complete. Perhaps some of the members of our club would be part of this effort? Deb testifies that it changes you in very profound ways, as well as making a difference in the life of a child.
Chair of the Day and Past President Phil Strom, and Speaker and Past District Governor Deb Warner and her husband Ed Williams
Club #25 and Eco Rotary hosted the November 7 Rotary Ethics Day event held with Jr. Rotarians
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