Prepared by John King

 

Fred Strader, in the absence of Wendy, convened the meeting at 6:05 pm. The guests present were Carla Taylor and Sandy Newhall associated with Humble Grunt Work. Fred led the pledge of allegiance and offered Dan’s prayer.

 

Heidi as immediate past president listed the new officers elected for the 24-25
Rotary year. Fred Strader is president, Jim McFarlin is vice president, Dick Prendergast is treasurer and Dan Whitney is secretary. Bonnie Ireland is Vice President elect.

 

The board members are Dean Gulezian, Steve Aiken and Bran Harris.

 

Dinner commenced around 6:15 pm.

 

Happy Dollars
When Fred reconvened the meeting, Happy Dollars were offered by:

 

Ron Maher won the raffle money.

 

Carla Taylor spoke about Humble Grunt Work. She began by thanking Fred for doing such a great job on the memorial in Meredith and its tremendous recognition of veterans. She spoke about her father’s experience with agent orange and how the VA handled that situation.

 

She stated that the Humble Grunts were a small but mighty boots on the ground group doing work to help and thank vets. She thanked Rotary for donating 660 flags for use at events thanking vets. She described some of these events, mentioning the placing of 432 wreaths at the cemetery with the assistance of kids who came back and reported the names of the vets who were buried. She described funerals (not budgeted) and
the help of the community and donors and anonymous donors.

 

She described the many things done by Humble Grunt Work such as food and clothing and assistance for homeless vets. She stated that $200,000 had been raised for Humble House, designed as a transitional home for vets.

 

Besides finding businesses to mentor vets, she is partnering with investors to purchase property in the lakes region with the mission of providing zero tolerance housing for helping vets to achieve independence, with a plan for each vet. She is looking for private funding as public funding is not zero tolerance funding.

 

Regarding the community, Carla cited the “It takes a village” philosophy in terms of needing mentors and assistance and exposure for Humble Grunt Work. She thanked Jim McFarlin for his help and financial contribution.

 

Upon questioning, she further described her father’s experience with the VA and her father’s thankful spirit. She received a round of applause from those present.

 

Fred led the 4 Way Test and the meeting adjourned at 7:02 pm.