Click on the image to go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3748672091

 

I feel the money take was very good as several bell ringers with past experience reported seeing an unusual amount going in the kettle with 20's and 10's.  On my ring Christmas eve, I had two different people put in a $100 bill.

 

Reporting of the final money will not happen until January when Scott Ramsey is able to return to work.

 

I did report that Sara Lee - Scott's wife - was critical which was my assumption.  Scott corrected it.  She was very sick.  Sara Lee had been battling Valley Fever for months which we know as a respiratory illness.  She did test positive for COVID.  Scott ended up taking her to St. Joe's hospital at the direction of her Doctor.  He was regulated to the parking lot.  St. Joe's kept her for eight hours and released her back to her home with medication.

 

The giving out of the presents and food to families was completed.  There were some struggles with the operation as all the Salvation Army Officers who planned and ran the even ended up at the last minute on December 12 being furloughed due to testing positive for COVID.  The one remaining officer named Andrea who was negative came down ill with COVID symptoms on Monday, December 21 during the start of the delivery and went home.

 

That left no Officers, so three retired Majors responded and took over as leaders.  We had numerous volunteers also respond to help from Rotary including several from our club.  The job got done but not without struggle.  It got completed and hundreds of recipients showed up.  It caused big traffic problems, a lot of stress.  Police responded and helped.  The one major complication that happened was a struggle to get recipients to stay in their cars.  

 

Anyhow, the day was saved, and there are plans by the board to review and make suggestions for a better operation next year.

 

Thanks,

 

Don  

CLICK HERE to email Jeanie if you want her to send an invoice from Mesa West Rotary Foundation so you can electronically make a year-end contribution to support our sponsorship campaign.

Last spring, when masking was relatively new in our lives, Lu and Wayne arrived looking like bandits for a joint birthday celebration with Polly Cady.  They celebrated a total of 197 years since their births!

 

 

 

 

When Ray Smith is not with Wendell for our Zoom meetings, he is likely at the Smith family getaway near Alpine, Arizona.

 

 

 

 

Lu says she and Wayne were in Safford, Arizona last August when they found this large Adirondack chair.  It looks more like they might have visited Never Neverland.

 

 

 

 

 

Lu is shown by a large painted rock near Cloride Arizona where an art colony existed in the 70's.  She and Wayne visited the area in July.

 

 

 

 

 

In November, Lu enjoyed a trip to see the Grand Canyon with PDG friend, Candy Pierce.

 

 

 

 

Ray Smith:  To cherish and be kind to every Family member, Rotarian, Friend (including Wendell Jones), Religious Associates and others that I come in contact with.  Ray is thankful to have gotten thorugh 2020 with NO family or loved ones getting COVID!

 

Warren Williamson was able to keep his resolution last year, so again is again vowing NOT to indulge in excess moderation.

 

John Pennypacker has been in Virginia since December 17 enjoying time with his daughter's family.  "The boys are growing so fast - and yes - it is hard to keep up with their non-stop energy."

 

 

 

 

 

"One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore.

"Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair.

"People will insist on giving me books."

The Rotary Foundation is the charitable arm of Rotary that enables the amazing work we, as Rotarians, are all proud to be a part of.  Every Rotarian is strongly encouraged to support TRF every year by donating to the General Fund of TRF.  The target gift is $100 per year per member.  That has been the target for a very long time and in the US the average family income has multiplied a few times since that target was set.  Many Rotarians who have the means to do so have set their personal target at the $1,000 per year mark making them eligible for the Paul Harris Society level of donor recognition. 

 

The End Polio Now campaign is a separate fund to which gifts are matched two-for-one by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.  Many Rotarians choose to support both the general fund and the fight to end polio.

 

No matter what level you decide to donate, please support the Foundation by giving through Rotary Direct.  CLICK HERE to get answers to commonly asked questions about this program.  DOWNLOAD A FORM to authorize your Rotary Direct donations.  By giving through Rotary direct, the opportunity for human error is eliminated and recognition credit for the Rotarian and their club is much more accurate and timelier.