BULLETIN – October 23, 2024

By Tim Dempsey

 

President Robb rang the bell, Tom Zengler gave the Pledge, Greeter Dave Potts led us in prayer, and in honor of National Nevada Day song Meister Dennis Kratohwil led us in his version of Viva Las Vegas. When does he leave for Florida? 

 

-Elliot Pinsel’s son was sworn in as an attorney on October 6th. He must be off the payroll!

-Rick Mittelman just returned from a trip to South Africa. He visited a few years ago on a Rotary trip. He got to play golf this time.

-Kim Smith bragged that she and Doug Fendon participated in the Centre Club 5K. Also, the Centre Club received a Business Exchange Award.

-Steve Risley went to a Bear’s game on his anniversary. His son also just had Steve’s 3^rd grandchild.

-Rich Babjak said his condo in Clearwater Beach is still there after the hurricane. He did lose the car that was there.

 

Elliot Pinsel is conducting his 31^st ornament event for 500 disabled adults and kids. He passed around cards with gift wish lists. He asked that we wrap gifts and attach the ornament. His truck will be at our Holiday Party on 12/4 to collect the presents.

-Tom Zengler is running a Coats for Vets drive again this year. Please drop off any unwanted coats at his stores.

-Community Service chair Patricia Bleck gave a shout out to leaders who organize our service projects.

-There will be no morning meeting on October 30^th. We will have a fellowship event that evening at White Deer Run from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

-Oue annual Holiday Party will be at Timothy O’Toole’s on December 4^th.

 

Ellen Young entertained us with Halloween fun facts.

 

Jon Robb presented Rich Babjak with a Major Donor Award. 

 

Today’s program was member Glenn Garlick telling us about Rotary’s End Polio Now program.

Glenn is the District’s End Polio Now chair. He sends out about 48 emails per year about the program. Last year there were 54 cases of wild polio recorded worldwide. Last year the Club donated $27,900 to Polio Plus. Without the 2 largest donors, the club donated $2,900. Glenn’s goal is to have donations of $100 per Rotarian per year. There were 541 donors in the district last year. 12 ½% of Rotarians donate worldwide. An email is going out with a new challenge. The Jack Blain Foundation will match a $500 donation. In addition, the Gates Foundation will match 2 to 1. So, a $500 donation will be a total of $2000 to End Polio Now. 

Last year there were 6 cases, and this year there were 54. Why? The answer is testing. Countries and political groups allow testing and vaccinations depending on leaders. In Pakistan the Taliban changed the rules. It also depends on who does the vaccinating. The goal of no new cases for three years can be achieved. We will still need to vaccinate. Post polio syndrome does exist. People who had polio in the 50s have symptoms return.

Reach inside your heart and think about donating.

 

-Daily: $39 won by Tucker Olson.

-Progressive: $137 (52 cards). Dave Potts drew the 7 of spades. ROLLOVER!

 

-Greeter and Prayer: Rick Mittelman standing in for Elliott Pinsel.

-Fun & Frolics: Bob Zamor.

-Next week is the 5^th Wednesday. Fellowship event at White Deer Run.

-11/5 District Governor visit.

 

Rotary has raised and spent $3 billion on immunization worldwide. In 2000 there were 350,000 reported cases. In 2020 that was down to 140. We are making a difference!

 

“Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great.” Niccolo Machiavelli