By Tim Dempsey

 

President Babjak opened the meeting with the Pledge by Elliot Pinsel, a prayer by Patricia Bleck and a song by Dennis Kratohwil.

 

-Howard Jaffe is celebrating his 32^nd year as a Rotarian.

 

-The Salvation Bell Ringing will be on 12/2 this year. We may do a joint project with the Mundelein Club.

 

-The District is asking about Veteran status of any Club member. If you are a Veteran, please let Rich know when you served and what branch you were in.

 

-The fundraiser will be on March 9^th next year. We are keeping prices the same and we will have a new seating chart. We have secured 6 sponsors so far, and the event website will be up later this month. If you have a suggestion for sponsors, please let Rich or Howard know. They only need a contact.

 

-Elliot Pinsel passed out ornaments for his annual gift drive.

 

-Pumpkinfest was a big success. Elliot wheeled himself for being a no show.

 

-Highway Cleanup was successful with 10 participants.

 

-We  collected $308.00 for the Food Pantry.

 

Rick Mittelman entertained us with a matching quiz.

 

Today’s program was Thom Braswell, Second Deputy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Auxiliary.

Thom was awarded the Purple Heart for being injured in the line of duty. The Auxiliary Deputy Unit is comprised of 26 volunteers who are called upon by the Sheriff and local municipal police to assist with traffic control and cleaning up investigation sites. They offer unarmed assistance to Deputies and put on a uniform to serve and give back. Their motto is: Semper Paratus” always prepared. The County Board authorized 50 auxiliary Deputies in 1981.

 

Their duties include escorts for dignitaries, crowd and traffic control for charitable events. They also search for missing persons. They are part of the Highway Patrol Division of the Sheriff’s Department. They patrol festivals and help with burials for the indigent. They have provided escorts for Honor Flights. They are sworn in but not sworn peace officers. They participate in some 200 details each year. Last year they had 88 callouts and worked 11,100 hours as volunteers. The Sheriff’s Office provides uniforms and 4 cars. They are unpaid and save the County thousands of dollars each year.

 

Their Incident Response Unit is on call 24 hours a day. They are experts in traffic control and shutting down roads for investigations. Each volunteer takes 160 hours of training and is on a year of probation to start. They must be a Lake County resident and cannot be a felon. They are looking for volunteers.

 

-Daily: $26 won by Bill Taranowski, who donated his winnings to the Food Pantry.

 

-Progressive: $661 with 31 cards. Elliot Pinsel drew the 7 of spades. ROLLOVER!

 

-Greeter & Prayer: Carol August.

 

-Fun & Frolics & Bingo: Larry Neal

 

-Program: Architect Keith Larson of the Rotary Club of Hinsdale.

 

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” C. S. Lewis