Bulletin - December 22, 2016 - #23
Posted on Dec 23, 2016
Our President, George Darte called the meeting to order, Grace was said by Liz Palmieri. The Club sang ‘O Canada’, (led by Rick Evans), and toasted the Queen (and the people of Canada).
Head Table: Joel Chatterton, Angela Arsenio (Speaker), George Darte (ever so humble President), Bob Gosselin (Sergeant at arms), Sandra Holloway, and Jean Armitage .
Welcome to Visitors:
Jean Armitage introduced today’s visitors:
Melissa DeBeau - guest of Alicia Merry
Olivia Van Nest - guest of Trevor Van Nest
Robbie Roman - guest of Lezlie Murch
The Club accorded them all a warm welcome.
Program:
:
Joel Chatterton introduced our speaker, Angela Arsenio, Director of the Children and Victims’ Services Niagara. Angela explained that
when a person is victimized by violence, it changes the way someone relates to life, and responds to others in the community
(including, and sometimes, the family). The assurance of personal safety is one of life’s essential components, and the loss of confidence
in one’s safety can damage one’s demeanor, outlook, personality and the ability to function.
Victims’ Services (VS), separate from the NRP, seeks to serve anyone who is a victim, 24/7 (with the help of a large number of volunteers) .
Together with police and firefighters, VS is a first-time responder in crisis (especially for domestic violence). A portion of the revenue received
through speeding tickets goes to finance VS! VS offers comfort, support, healing, a place of refuge, and makes efforts to bring about justice
and restoration for victims. Crisis responders go out in teams of two, following some fifty hours of on-the-job training, updated by annual
mandatory workshops. Provision of meals, cell phones, glasses, alarm systems, recourse to private counselling and help toward funeral expenses
are all part of the VS job description. Some clients (the ones in most danger) have access to GPS devices that trace their movements, and allow the
client to signal the VS if they are in trouble. Angela said she appreciates being able to know families at their best as well as (sometimes) at their worst,
as families come together to face crisis and trouble in their midst.
Jean Armitage thanked Angela for her presentation, with its assurance that there is indeed someone out there in addition to the police who can help
victims feel a little more secure and safe in our world after experiencing shock, assault and violence. Angela was told about our contribution in her name to We the Children.
Sandra Holloway updated us on her project to provide clean water to a village in Guatemala through a larger containment system, with the help of a Rotary Club
in that immediate area. Currently, testing is being done on finding the best access route to descend the mountain, and there are further issues regarding the filtration
system, and piping. Sandra will have more news to bring to us later.
BIRTHDAYS: Rick Radowsky (December 27), and Brian St. Hilaire (December 31).
GREETINGS: President George gave us greetings from the Children’s Centre, Brock University, and Serge Paquin and Alexis.
Happy Dollars was led by Santa Claus (introduced and welcomed by Chris Blake) .
Lezlie Murch introduced Robbie Roman, who delighted us with his own rendition of Jingle Bells, Here comes Santa Claus
and S. Claus comes to Town, before personally offering Christmas greetings to our Club members.
Jim Denham us all to cast our ballots in favour of electing next year’s Board. (Vote early, if not often!).
Betty Lou offered thanks on behalf of Community Care as it nears its Christmas push to meet the required allocations of food and gift baskets.
Liz Palmieri told us of a Spanish custom from Barcelona, where gifts are collected in a Yule log, which is opened on Christmas Eve
(amongst many expectant recipients)
Margaret Jarrell is back from visiting Tanzania where she observed several projects which could be potential recipients of a grant from
from our International Community Service Committee.
Alicia Merry was happy and a bit relieved that this is her last day of work before giving birth again (hopefully within the next ten days)!
The Club wishes her the very best.
John Nitsopoulos made a generous contribution to Community Care, and led us through the Suez Canal, and Dubai Mosques
with gold pillars, luxurious carpets, and marble arches: an exciting trip for all!
Brian St. Hilaire is substituting Kelowna and skiing for his more usual sun experience in Florida.
Rob De Wolfe offered Club members Christmas greetings.
Norma Medulun’s sisters’ husband is coming home from hospital, a modern Christmas miracle!
Joel Chatterton was glad that his daughter is safe following a car accident. He wanted the Club to know how hard the Port Colborne firefighters
worked to try to rescue family members in the house fire that took four lives this past week. The firefighters failed in their own estimation, but did
their best in perilous circumstances.
Rick Evans, a former boy soprano, said that Robbie’s pitch was perfect!
Lenore Klassen also had a daughter shaken up on a car accident, but she came through it safely. (Thunder Bay). Lenore will be visiting with family in Manitoba.
Chris Blake explained that today’s happy dollars proceeds would be directed towards Community care.
Scott Schappert’s son has returned from vacation, and he offered thanks to Betty Lou for her role in the exemplary work that is done by Community Care.
Bob Gosselin thanked Angela and her team of volunteers for their helpfulness in assisting and responding compassionately to victims of violence.
George Darte drew the winning ticket of reference (50/50) but alas, no ace appeared on the ultimate effort, and the plot thickens …
In TWO weeks (January 10, 2017), we shall be hearing from Walter Sendzik, Mayor of St. Catharines, with his state of union address on our beloved city.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!