President-Elect Connie Bunyard opened the meeting, Warren Williamson led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Dick Myren gave an invocation. Dick then announced that the May Rotarian of the Month was John Pennypacker.
Guests today included potential new member Christian Wall, Jasmine xx, Susan Might, Amyla and Bridget Buckhannon, Anise, Maria and Patrick Carrol Covarrubias, Sariah Grovom, and Josh.
Today’s raffle was won by Lola McClaine. She did not draw the Ace of Clubs, so the large pot carries over.
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Exavier King then collected Happy Bucks:
- Harry Grossman said that today is National Senior Health and Fitness Day, National Flip-Flop Day, National Hamburger Day, National Brisket Day, and some others
- Dick Myren was happy to contribute for himself, Rod Daniels, and Don LaBarge
- Machel Considine was happy that she got vision-correction cataract surgery and can now see without glasses
- Dave Dacus was happy to be traveling for the next few weeks
- Eric Silverberg was happy to have read Erica McBeth’s new book
- Captain John Birks was happy that Vacation Bible School and other youth programs were going well at the Salvation Army
- Ed Koeneman was happy that the Interact graduates and advisor were here today
- John Pennypacker was happy that he had been in the same house for 40 years
- Pam Cohen was happy to have attended her grandson’s Kindergarten graduation
- Connie Bunyard was happy that she would spend this weekend with her granddaughter
- Warren was happy to tell his weekly joke
Today’s Happy Bucks were given to Susan Might to use for Interact snacks for their meetings. Everyone was reminded to get any twin-size bedding to Kayla Mudge for donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The speaker today was Shane Rabindranath from the Phoenix Dream Center. The Phoenix Dream Center is a nonprofit whose mission is to stop human trafficking, end childhood hunger and educate tomorrow’s leaders. They also have a dedicated Crisis Response Team that can mobilize quickly and provide immediate assistance such as emergency housing, trauma counseling, or practical aid. He spoke to the club about the “Where Hope Lives” program, which is specifically for victims of and about human trafficking. Human trafficking includes both employment trafficking and sex trafficking.
The Where Hope Lives program have campuses for 4-11 year olds, 11-17 year olds, and 18+. They also have a crisis pregnancy center and a day care center.
Some statistics about human trafficking:
- 42% of human trafficking victims were recruited by a family member
- 39% were recruited by an intimate partner
- 30% of missing children are being trafficked
- 12-14 - Average age of trafficking victim
- <1% of trafficked victims are rescued
*** HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE: 888-373-7888, or call 911
At the end of the presentation, Connie Bunyard presented Shane with a big check for the Phoenix Dream Center.
To cap off the lunch meeting, there were several graduation recognitions.
Ed Koeneman gave a presentation about the graduating Interact seniors, Anise Carrol Covarrubias and Amyla Buckhannon. Then John Pennypacker presented Anise and Amyla with Paul Harris Fellow pins, and Ed presented them with Saguaro pens on behalf of the club. Their Interact Advisor, Susan Might, was awarded a certificate of honorary membership to Mesa West Rotary Club.
Jasmine Brady and Sariah Grovom, graduating Rotary Builds Bridges/McKinney-Vento students, were awarded medals, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go” books, and checks on behalf of the club. Then, they each said a few words to thank the club.