Special Guests
Our guests included Deana Corbin (image above), our speaker from the Animal Protective League (APL); Jim and Emily Rowley, Ross Hodel's Daughter and Son-in-Law; and Mark Sirichote, our inbound Rotary exchange student.
Recreational Vehicle Fellowship
Our club received a thank you card and fellowship banner from the Recreational Vehicle Fellowship that visited us last week. Ed Conley facilitated the card and the banner.
Citrus Update
The Citrus Program is in week #2. There are 4 weeks to go. Bill Smith assured us we would have enough fruit, but cautioned that our club costs were going to increase due to Hurricane Ian damaging some of the fruit
Mark Your Calendar for the Holiday Party
The holiday party has been scheduled at Christ the King on Tuesday, December 13. The time and entertainment will be announced later. Dinner will again be catered by Chef Randy.
Volunteer Opportunities
Megan Reynolds (formerly Norman; see story below) informed us that she has secured dates for Salvation Army bell ringing. The dates are Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3 at Schnuck's. Times for our shifts will be provided later, and there will be an opportunity to sign up for shifts.
Megan also noted a need for wrapping paper for the Salvation Army, Toys for Tots and Crisis Nursery holiday event coming up . The event will be held Friday, December 16 all day at White Oaks Mall. If you want to volunteer, you may sign up for a 2 hour shift. Some will wrap, and some will serve as personal shoppers.
Program on APL
Deana Corbin, executive director of the APL, educated us on the mission, needs and successes of the Animal Protective League.
Here are some highlights from her presentation:
- The APL is a limited admissions shelter, which means they do no euthanize for space. It’s one in and one out.
- Most animals are sick or injured strays, animals slated for euthanasia at animal control facilities, or pets relinquished by owners.
- Community outreach includes visits with 6 nursing homes for Pet therapy
- Education programs promoting humane treatment of animals include tours for schools (through a partnerships with District 186), and presentations for other groups.
- They provide a low-cost vaccine clinic.
- Their Guardian Angel Programs provide foster services for elderly who need short-term assistance with their pets
- They provide volunteer opportunities at the shelter and have foster programs and junior volunteer programs
- They have a Spay/Neuter Clinic, which is a low-cost, high-volume clinic that offers over 10,000 procedures per year. It helps prevent unwanted litters of cats/dogs.
- The feral cat program spays/neuters cats and then returns them to the area. The barn cat program spays/neuters cats and then finds a good barn home for them to patrol for mice.
We thanked Deana for her excellent presentation, and I presented her with a Rotary Mug (image above).