Opening and Welcome to Meeting - President Colleen Coons
- Warren Williamson shared a Thought for the Day - He said he would keep it light. He was happy to be in Mesa west Rotary. Happy to be among all the friends that were present and thankful to be able to do things for the community and the world through Rotary.
- Jack Rosenberg led the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Colleen thanked Pam Cohen for setting up the flags for the meeting.
- Diane Ware was thanked for handling check-in.
Introduction of Guests
- Janice Walker was introduced. She is the daughter of former member Lee Kilgore. He served as accountant for Mesa West before he passed away 24 years ago. Janice used to attend Mesa West meetings with her dad.
- Lisa Grant was introduced as the Social Worker who works with the McKinney Vento kids. Colleen said the success of the program is the person - not the position.
- Colleen noted that Deb Koeneman and Jeanie Morgan were both attending via Zoom.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
After explaining that the large pot was $70, and the small pot was $25, chuck asked Jim Schmidt to draw the winning raffle ticket. The ticket was held by Jack Rosenberg. When Jack tried to draw the Ace of Clubs from the almost-new deck, he was unsuccessful. The card he drew was the Five of Clubs.
Happy Bucks - Don LaBarge
- Before he started collecting, Don explained that originally, Mesa West only rang the bell for Salvation Army on Friday and Saturday. After some time, they added Thursdays, and for the last several years we have rung the bell seven days a week. Don said that this year, on about 90% of the shifts, the station has been staffed by two or more volunteers. He said that at the most recent count, our station had taken in over $12,000. Not included in that amount is a $5,000 check given to Don by a neighboring business owner, Ron Kotloff who our club recently honored as a Paul Harris fellow for his generous support of our kettle in 2022. Not only did he donate a check, he paid his employees while they worked shifts at our kettle station.
- Warren Williamson contributed to share a story with a religious theme based on the book of Exodus. When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to get the commandments, Joshua stayed below. When Moses came back down, Joshua asked what took so long - what in the world was he doing? Moses explained he'd been negotiating. He got the list down to ten, but adultery was still on the list.
- Pam Cohen contributed. She was grateful for another year at Mesa West. She loves every single one of her fellow members, and was glad to see Janice again.
- Wayne General said he was scheduled for a colonoscopy the day after his presentation on the insanity defense. His worries were put to rest when he learned he did not suffer cranial rectal inversion. He was happy about that.
- Brian Harvey thanked Don for setting up the bell ringing. Brian's wife really enjoys it.
- Don Boucher had spoke with John Orr (who presented at our 50th anniversary celebration in June). John is now retired from the bench, but is working a part-time gig. He had called Don from the judge's chamber. Don had also spoke with Bill Perretta that morning. He said Bill would be back as a guest in January.
- Ron Thompson was happy someone had run into him recently. They called their insurance company and said it was their fault, making settlement much easier. He said this is the first year he has taken two bell-ringing shifts. He said the two-hour time slots pass too slow for Toni, but they have fun while they are there.
- Lucinda donated $20 for Salvation Army, but wanted to talk about how happy she was to have enjoyed time with Olivia. She encouraged members to look at what remains on Olivia's list, but to invite her to any gathering that would be fun and show our culture.
- Jim McGown has been opening the kettle since Steve Ross went out of town. He said they were playing Silver Bells on the radio as he drove there. He set up the canopy in the rain. Once done, the rain stopped. He was disappointed his cable was out. The Today Show was going to be broadcast from his home town - Cooperstown. He needed to get a new cable box so he could watch it.
- Jack Rosenberg was happy John Benedict and his daughter Julie would be ringing together.
- Shelly Romine contributed a check. She was thankful for her Rotary Family and wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
- Don thanked Ted Williams for taking sever 6 to 8 p.m. shifts.
- Colleen was thankful for the Mesa West volunteer crew that helped wrap gifts at the Mesa PD Fiesta Division that morning (see separate article in this newsletter). She said she and our AG Dan Coons had rung four times, and said Dan would ring alone if Don needed him for final shifts of the season. She thanked Lisa Grant saying the gift delivery experience with the McKinney Vento students was beyond words.
- Ed Koeneman contributed a check from both he and Deb. They are happy their son is coming home for two weeks. Ed was also happy that the principal filming is scheduled to start April 7 for the next Star Wars Movie.
- Colleen asked for a round of applause to thank Don for his scheduling efforts from Black Friday through Christmas Eve.
Thank-You Recognition of Hotel Crew - President Colleen and Pam Cohen
- Luis - supervisor of the catering staff which includes Elizabeth who we see nearly every week.
- Robert - our chef who we rarely ever see.
- Jan - used to be our catering manager, but has since been promoted and is now the boss.
- Amy - our current catering manager. Amy did a testimonial for the club to support our McKinney Vento program.
- Elizabeth - has been taking care of us for fifteen plus years. Her son is fifteen years old. Many members can remember Elizabeth working at our club lunches while waiting for him to born.
CLUB ASSEMBLY
Rotarian of the Month Recognition - President Colleen Coons
- The Rotarian of the month for November is a person who always volunteers when there is a gap. She also regularly drives to Flagstaff to see her grandson. Pam Cohen was recognized with a pin for the countless ways she has been there for Colleen.
- The Rotarian of the month for December is a person who often leads, but doesn't want to be Chair. Colleen does not like to shop during the holiday season. Shelly Romine went to 17 or more stores to do the wish-list shopping for our McKinney Vento students. She was recognized with a pin for her outstanding effort.
- CLICK HERE to see the slides Colleen shared detailing the holiday wish lists that were fulfilled for our McKinney Vento students. Monday thru Wednesday, Colleen and Pam delivered those gifts. Lisa, who was in attendance at the meeting was thanked for helping make it all come together. She selects the students. Our club is sponsoring nine out of 120 homeless unaccompanied youth. Everyone in the club participated in some manner. Colleen thanked everyone. She had special thanks for Justin from Just In Time Moving who not only helped this year, but has already pledged to make a significant contribution next year. Connie Bunyard's generosity was acknowledged. Mesa Rotary Club contributed $500 toward the gift list fulfilment. Joe O'Reilly from the Mesa Rotary Club was instrumental in getting Colleen connected with the Mesa Public Schools.
- Helen's Hope Chest information was shared with members and guests by Janice Walker (former member Lee Kilgore's daughter)
- Typically serve children in Foster Care or Kinship Care. She explained that, because there are not enough foster homes, if it is possible to place children in a healthy environment with another family member, those children are in "Kinship Care." They readily agreed to serve the youth Mesa West is sponsoring in our McKinney Vento "Rotary Builds Bridges to Education" program.
- They can shop once every three months - for clothing, two books, new socks and underwear, hygiene items. They have a birthday room toy store.
- They are encouraged to try things on
- Most clothing is "gently used." Everything used is laundered before being placed in the store.
- In November, they served 70 new clients, and had 406 clothing visits.
- 81 visits were birthday visits
- They gave out 593 books
- 33 volunteers helped - they are always looking for willing volunteers. They prefer commitments of at least four hours a week.
- 5,072 children received Christmas gifts from Helen's Hope Chest the prior week. It is a 5-day event every year.
- Helen's Hope Chest started in 2009.
- They serve ages birth through 18 if still in high school.
- In February, a field trip to Helen's Hope Chest is planned so our members can see.
- Their values are to help the children they serve
- Feel cared about
- Know they matter
- Are able to attend school with confidence
- Typically serve children in Foster Care or Kinship Care. She explained that, because there are not enough foster homes, if it is possible to place children in a healthy environment with another family member, those children are in "Kinship Care." They readily agreed to serve the youth Mesa West is sponsoring in our McKinney Vento "Rotary Builds Bridges to Education" program.
Colleen's observation about the shopping trips of our McKinney Vento students were that they had a great deal of freedom. There are no price tags. They were encouraged to get more. Colleen had a token of appreciation which she presented to Janice Walker thanking her for her informative presentation.