Here's What's Happening at East Polk Rotary

Hello Rotarians!

I must begin this week's journal entry by admitting that I'm not entirely familiar with the correct spelling of several of our speaker guests last week.  So I'm going to give it my best effort while I seek advance forgiveness for any erroneous entries.  Here we go.  Southeast Polk Ag teacher Matt Eddy and several of his FFA students were in our presence last Wednesday and informed us with a three-pronged presentation. 

First, Nettie Payne spoke and she discussed how she recognized in the SEP District what the political pundits call "food insecurity" which is nothing but a sugar-coated term for "hunger".  Nettie noodled on this gap in our community's supply of food with those in need.  She came up with Kids Care, which is a program that raises money towards acquiring macaroni and cheese six-packs.  Each packet has a shelf life of three years and offers six servings.  Her goal is to raise $5,000 which will purchase 25,000 meals and she is 40% of the way there with $2,000 raised.  Ultimately the mac and cheese will head over to the food pantry and be distributed to locals who don't have enough to eat. 

Next Sammie Craig stood before us and recited from memory the FFA creed.  She was appropriately theatrical in her delivery and didn't skip a beat for a rather lengthy recital.  Nice job Sammie.  Finally, three other students presented a PowerPoint about events and activities that they were involved with during their time as FFA students/members.  We didn't capture all the particulars in this forum, but it clearly spelled out a fair amount of commitment by these students in both giving to FFA as well as putting together their presentations. 

Keep in mind that Friday May 9th is the Iowa Industrial Tech Expo and if you haven't signed up as a judge, and would like to volunteer, contact Mike Hamilton or Phil Cronin at phillip.cronin@southeastpolk.org. 

Tomorrow Tom Downs is the Sargent at Arms and Ryan Swalwell is the Rotarian of the Day.  I will be heading to Baltimore for a few days so Norma has agreed to serve in my absence at tomorrow's meeting.  Please be nice to Norma or she won't mark you present.  Thanks!