This evening was the Life House Holiday Party. It was the busiest party that I have ever experienced at Life House. I'm sure that the warm weather contributed to the participation. The last of our generous bags of cookies went out the door with the last of our young guests. It was a good joint effort with our friends from Downtown Rotary who very much appreciate our help. 

 

Tomorrow is Salvation Army bell ringing day at the mall inside in front of Noodles. Check with Greg if you have forgotten your ringing time.  

 

Our Guests last week were Susan Meyer and our presenter Mark Zack. It was great to see Kris Lee too. Tom and Susan gave us an update on their mission trip that will happen in the end of February. They told us that they can each have a 50lb carry on. They have standardized on 20V DeWalt tools and can use impact drivers, bits, and batteries. They can also use sports equipment and stffed toys for the kids. Let's go shopping in January. Emily did a great Christmas Classics Bingo for Fellowship. She played recordings of classic Christmas music which we had to identify and then fill out our bingo cards. John won. Who doesn't know the classics by Boris Karloff, Etta James, and Darlene Love? Thank you Emily. Kevin told us that there will be weekly meat raffle at Bent Paddle with the proceeds going to Skyline Rotary. What do I hear for a side of beef? I think that we need to learn more. We learned more about the Rock the Skyline 2 on February 28th at the Aad Shriners Event Center. The bands Slope City and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples will be playing. Tickets will be available online for $35 and at the door for $50. 

What a pleasure it was to have Mark Zack come to Duluth to give us an update on the medical clinic project in Nigeria. Mark is a man of vision and tremendous human compassion. He is family friends with Matt and Kris Lee. Before the clinic 4 of 10 babies died. There was no regular health care available in a community of 60,000. In the 3 years since the clinic opened over 8,000 patients have been served. Skyline matched a $5K WASH grant for at total of $10K to build the well and sanitary sewer system for the clinic. The well was installed first because water was needed for the cement to build the building and security wall. Mark played a 7 1/2 minute video that had the room silent. I am sure that others as I were astounded and deservedly proud of what Skyline had helped to accomplish on the other side of the world. We all as a Club do our part in these stories of human kindness. There is another clinic in the planning stages. In July of 2026 the new RI President from Nigeria will be installed. There might be another partnering opportunity with Equal As One. Mark Zack and his group are wonderful to work with.       

 

The following two Fridays, December 26th and January 2nd we won't have Friday meetings due to the Holidays.    

 

December is Rotary International Disease Prevention and Treatment Month.

 

Thought for the Week