Honoring Our Veterans
by Jim McFarland
Call to order by President Jordan Holbert; flag salute and thought for the day by Vinny Fazzino. Guests speakers to follow.
Ingo Werk joined us and donated a bottle of Gator Bite (a Louisiana artisanal blend of bayou rum infused with satsuma oranges.)
Duke Winser had some wonderful news; besides enjoying his birthday he also was married to Lilian!! Congrats Duke.
President Jordan, in keeping us up to date on our members, notified us of a few members that have resigned recently: Kathleen Adams, Marcus Chang, Steve De Baets, Mike Matthews, Don Redman, Ron Sokol, Don Whinfrey. Once a Rotarian always a Rotarian…reach out to those you are close to and wish them well!
TEDx was wonderful last weekend. Thank you volunteers!! Shannon Ryan, you knocked it out of the park, talking about “Financial Scar Tissue”!!
90th Year for Holiday Gift Baskets
Susan Brown with Sandpipers spoke to us about the holiday gift basket program. This is their 90th year. Began in 1931, by seven women, as an anonymous gesture to those in need during the Depression. Cords of wood, milk, meat, staples. 19 families were helped that year. This year 105 families will be helped. Dec 10th we’ll be gathering the items at the Torrance YMCA, delivery December 12th. John and Lisa Acker will be hosting toy drop offs in their garage December 4th. Note Mattel has their toy store open for those of you that would like to donate toys. Deep discounts on a lot of toys. Mattel is located at 333 Continental, El Segundo. Tent is located to the west of the main building. Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. 11-5.
Gerry Morton reminded us, that the Holiday party will be December 5th at Debby Arnold’s (Walt) house. Have vaccination card or recent Covid -19 test please…Four way test.
Happy hour at OBs this Wednesday!!
School on Wheels
Dave Gendron introduced Ellen, and Alex Toutant with School on Wheels. This organization provides free tutoring for homeless kids from 5th to 12th grades in 400 shelters in the greater Los Angeles area. Free year-round tutoring support, free backpacks filled with school supplies, customized curriculum, scholarships and referrals for additional support. Volunteers are needed. They need to be 18 years or older, have high speed web access, computer and webcam. They supply the training. Background checks are done, and each volunteer is assessed for the need. Donations are also accepted. Schoolonwheels.org 300 kids on the wait list!!!
Veterans Tell Their Stories
Veterans Day recognition. Pictures of Dave Hornbecker, John Osten.
Ed Kushins, USS Flasher, PERMIT - class nuclear-powered attack submarines 1966-1992. Received Presidential Unit Citation from President Nixon.
Tim Hageman, 19-year-old Air Force logistics, 1984-1988, 2 1/2 years in the U.K. and Shreveport, Louisiana.
Jim Hunter, LT, 1968-1970, Stationed at South Korean DMZ, Company Commander.
Ian Jackson, Drill Sergeant at Fort Ord, CA, deployed to Thailand, ran logistics.
Tim Auringer, Air Force, 4 years, stationed in the Philippines.
Dr. Chris Ullman, Vietnam, proud to serve, made life-long friends.
More vets to speak next week…..
Scott Yanofsky won Gator Bite, Tim Hageman picked a clear marble. :.(
Adjourn.
See you all next week!!