Highlights of August 17 Meeting

Opening - President Colleen Coons
 
Colleen reminded members that "Create Hope in the World" theme pins are available for members who have not yet received theirs.
 
  • Dick Myren offered the invocation.
  • Jack Rosenberg led the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Colleen thanked them and also thanked
    • Polo Santiago for serving as greeter
    • Diane Ware for working the sign-in table
    • Chuck Flint for selling raffle tickets
    • Ron Thompson, our Sgt at Arms, who would collect Happy Bucks later
    • Ed Koeneman for being her chief technology officer
Introduction of Guests
 
  • Bob Parington, was introduced as a visiting Rotarian from the Four Peaks Rotary Club in Fountain Hills - home club of DGE Michelle Holcomb.  President Colleen remembered Bill Bemish, who was a member of that club, and a very special person in their family's life.  Bill got both of Colleen's sons involved in Rotary Youth Exchange.
  • Connie Bunyard  was introduced as a visitor representing her own business - Valley Remodeling.  Colleen has become acquainted with Connie through her Mesa Leadership experience.  Connie is on the board and a facilitator for Mesa Leadership.
  • Major Mike Lutcher, from the Mesa Salvation Army post, was visiting for the third time.  He will be going in for surgery Monday August 21, so won't be back for four weeks.
  • Pastor Tim Hall was acknowledged.  As the speaker, he would be introduced more formally later.
  • President Colleen also acknowledged Pai Bethea, Melodie Jackson, and Jeanie Morgan who were attending via Zoom.
Ace of Clubs Raffle - Chuck Flint
 
 
Chuck briefly explained that raffle tickets are sold for $5 each.  The proceeds are divided three ways:  1/3 to the club operating account, 1/3 to the holder of the stub of the ticket drawn, and 1/3 added to the accumulating large pot.  The holder of the ticket drawn would win $30, and a chance to draw the Ace of Clubs from the cards remaining in the deck.  Should they be so lucky, they would win the large pot of $885.  Debbie Koeneman was asked to draw the winning ticket.  The stub was held by Melissa Stuckey.  After Melissa shuffled the cards, unfortunately (for her) the card she drew was the Five of Diamonds, which was then destroyed.
 
Auction - President Colleen 
 
 
 
Colleen explained that the items being auctioned were purchased during the Interact Ambassador C4A mission to Mexico.  She said they are from a community center where young children are encouraged to go on to secondary school.  If you are from a small town in Mexico and opt out of secondary school, your future is very limited.  Bob - the visiting Rotarian from Four Peaks was the lucky bidder with his bid of $100.
 
Happy Bucks - Ron Thompson
 
  • Colleen announced that Happy Bucks from the meeting would be donated to the RotaryMaui relief fund, and that her board had approved requesting that the Foundation Board be asked to use up to $1,000 of the 2023-24 International budget to match donations received from members.
  • Jack Rosenberg celebrated his recent 69th birthday by pledging $100 for Maui relief.
  • Dick Myren doubled his traditional donation of $2.  He was very happy the club was doing something to relieve the suffering in Maui.
  • Shelly Romine contributed.  She said August is "birthday month" for many ofher family members.  They would be attending a big celebration next week.
  • Ray Smith donated.  He was happy to announce Vickie's foot has sufficiently healed so that she is able to fully use it again, relieving Ray (and their household) of his filling in doing the many things Vickie normally does.
  • Melissa Stuckey donated her raffle winnings.
  • Jay Stuckey pledged $30.
  • John Pennypacker contributed more, saying he had already contributed online.
  • President Colleen pledged $50 saying she was on a budget.  She said $5 was left on a table at the prior week's meeting.  She put it in Happy Bucks.  She shared a story about the first time she took her kids to Maui by herself following her divorce.  She travelled alone with a one and two-year-old.  She said it was a tipping point letting her know she was capable of independence.  She also announced Four Peaks Rotary would be doing a community event to benefit Maui.
  • Polly Cady said she noticed that Colleen was wearing a pink outfit at a recent meeting, but did not have a matching hat.  Polly gave Colleen a pink hat to complete the outfit.
  • Ed Koeneman said he was happy to have John Pennypacker's laundry.  The Interact Club will use his old t-shirts to make dog chew toys.
  • Ron thanked members for being so generous.
Announcements
  • Colleen moved that two Mesa West Members - Allan and Polly Cady - be renamed to be known in the future as the Barbie and Ken of Mesa West Rotary.  Members present unanimously supported her idea.
  • Colleen reported that after counting the votes received electronically, our McKenney Vento project would be renamed "Rotary Bridges to Education.
  • Thursday, August 31, there will be no in-person meeting at the Doubletree.  Instead, members were encouraged to sign up to attend a tour of the Mesa Library on Power Road.
  • September 9 from 10:00 AM to Noon, Mesa West will have a table at the Red Mountain multiple generational site.  At our table, we will be making dog toys and members helping can also take time to visit other tables and see what else is going on in Mesa.
 
 
 
Program - Pastor Tim Hall - Sunshine Acres Children's Home
 
Program Chair Jay Stuckey introduced Pastor Tim Hall, saying he has been Pastor at Sunshine Acres Children's Home since August 2015.  He was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota.  He and his wife, Debra have been married 47 years.  They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.  He has been a church planter and lead pastor since 1977, serving in seven different churches in four different states, including Minnesota, Kentucky, Idaho, and Arizona.  
 
Pastor Tim's wife Debra, is choirmaster at Sunshine Acres Children's Home, so together they perform with the children's choir from November until March at numerous venues during the fall/winter season.  His hobbies include hunting, fishing, hiking, music and ventriloquism.
 
When asked by Pastor Tim, most in in attendance indicated they had heard of Sunshine Acres.  
 
The pace of the program was fast-moving.  He had a detailed slide presentation which was shared as he spoke.  The file is too large to post as a download file on the Mesa West website.  EMAIL Jeanie Morgan if you would like her to send a pdf copy of the slide show.
 
Even though most present had heard of Sunshine Acres, many were surprised to observe Pastor Tim demonstrate his skills as a ventriloquist when he introduced his puppet, Buddy.  He has nine different puppets he uses with the kids.  Some kids will talk to Buddy that won't talk to adults.  Often when Pastor Tim is invited to speak, an added request is, "Please Bring Buddy."
 
Custody is not lost by the parents/guardians whose children are housed at Sunshine Acres while the parent(s)/guardian(s) are unable to care for the children themselves.  The children enjoy living in a safe, wholesome, Christian environment, enjoy three meals a day in a beautiful dining room.  The homes are all lovely. 
 
There are small and big horses at Sunshine Acres.  Kids learn how to ride.  They have a great 4H program.  Taking care of animals opens up communication.
 
They produce 90% of their own green vegetables. "God's Garden" is a place of tranquility.  
 
They have a pool.  They have a karate program, art classes, and tutoring.  There is lots for the kids to do.  They hold a bible camp every summer.
 
They have a trek camp every June.  Pastor Tim has to work to get in shape for that.
 
There is a group that raises money so the kids can have an amazing vacation once a year.  
 
The kids learn about service by serving.  
 
There are lots of volunteer opportunities.  In most years there are about 350 volunteers involved.  
 
In the course of a year, they serve about 200 children.  There are some coming in and some going out all the time.  The population is constantly changing.  The center is designed for 100.  They normally have about 85.
 
The images in the slide presentation tell the story much better than this narration.  Please EMAIL Jeanie Morgan if you would like her to send a pdf copy of the slide show.