Thursday March 23^rd, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

At

 

Member of Rotary of Duluth #25

 

Join us as we learn of an extraordinary and life-changing trek to the far side of the world, as Club #25 Rotarian Vinod Gupta shares his experience of his hike to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal seven years ago

Chair of the day - Gary Melander

 

By Phil Strom

 

Some two dozen Rotarians and guests found their way to Morgan Park for an outreach meeting at the Bethany Crisis Shelter.  This warm-feeling purpose-built facility, completed in May of 2022, is of particular interest to our Rotary Club, the construction of which was supported by our Duluth Rotary Foundation, as well as a few of our individual members.  The project was undertaken by Lutheran Social Services, with broad community support, and replaced the original Bethany Children’s Home with roots going back to 2016.  The original Home was created in response to a growing need at the time, as a place to care for orphaned children and youth.  The more modern Crisis Shelter intentionally creates a more holistic trauma-informed experience for children from 0 to 17 years of age who are in domestic crisis.   

 

(L to R)

LSS Bethany staffer Carrie Ayres, Assistant Governor Phil Strom with Duncan Gregory

 

(L to R)

Robin Pestalozzi with her guest Sandra Haugo and President Barb Perrella

 

We met for this meeting, in one of the facility's living spaces, with sandwiches and soft drinks arranged by Stacy Oltmanns.  Club #25 President Barb Perrella opened the meeting with greetings to all, and a reciting of the Four Way Test.  Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom, Chair of the day, introduced Duncan Gregory, Program Director at the Shelter, who gave us the details of how the Crisis Shelter provides an environment for at-risk kids, which communicates that they are cared for and loved.  His large and affectionate personality left no room for doubt, as he led our entourage through the facility with proprietary pride.  It’s fair to say once again, that these “run out” Rotary meetings that expose our members to the many aspects of our community, enrich our Rotarian experience and awaken our interests in the many varied aspects and resources of our community.

 

Duncan Gregory, Director Bethany Crisis Shelter

 

Duncan Gregory, Director Bethany Crisis Shelter, shared insightful comments that resonated with Rotarians: “None of us is as strong as all of us.”  And, “We believe it takes an entire village and you guys are a part of that village.”

 

Rotarians learning what LSS Bethany is all about

 

 

A safe place. Compliments of Past Assistant Governor Phil Strom and his wife Babs Strom

 

Thank you!

 

Tom Homan witnesses a close-up look at the magnitude of the need

 

John Ohman showing his boxing skills to Jim Schwartz