By Tim Dempsey

 

President Taylor opened the meeting, Rick Mittelman gave the Pledge and Greeter Pat Schwartz led us in prayer. No song again this week. Boo Hoo.

 

BRAGS:
-Pat Schwartz just returned from a week in Florida. He accomplished an item on his bucket list. He went horse-back riding on the beach on Tampa Bay.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-We have 14 responses for the Club Survey. We need more to get meaningful results.

 

-Dave Potts told us about a fundraiser coming up  for Dan Lutter on February 23 at the American Legion in Libertyville. There is also a Go Fund Me page for Dan.

 

-We have 35 auction items for the fundraiser so far. We need more!

 

-Smart phone numbers are needed for each ticket so the buyer can bid on auction items. The Fundraiser is just 2 weeks away!

 

FUN & FROLICS:
Pat Hart challenged each table to reenact a movie scene.

 

PROGRAM:
Today’s program was Fran Forys speaking about Maristella. Fran was one of the founders of Maristella 31 years ago. They received 501 (c) 3 status in 1998 and Fran was left to start the program. She started in a small office at Marytown and she saw her first client on October 10, 1998. Maristella means “Star of the Sea” which is their logo.
Fran started a pledge program and invited homeless women to come to Marytown for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. When she could no longer office at Marytown she moved the organization to downtown Libertyville near the train station. She only takes people based on the money she has available.
Maristella’s mission is to promote self-sufficiency of homeless women and mothers with children in Lake County by providing assistance with finding safe, clean, affordable housing, rent subsidies and educational services. They have helped over 5000 families. They refer people to PADS and local churches. If Maristella can’t house people they pay for a hotel for 2 to 4 weeks and help women to find a job and permanent housing. Most housing is Section 8 where the homeless pay rent based on their means. Catholic Charities will pay up to 3 months for housing as long as there is a self-sufficiency plan in place.

 

RAFFLE:
-Daily: $25 - Won by Rich Schoeneman.

 

-Progressive: $340 with 42 cards left. Tom Miller drew the 9 of diamonds. Rollover!

 

NEXT WEEK:
Greeter & Prayer: Rich Schoeneman.

Fun & Frolics: Jon Robb.

 

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Becoming number one is easier than remaining number one.” Bill Bradley