Ever wish YOU had the opportunity to ring the opening bell at the meeting?
For a donation of $25 to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation, you will be allowed to do just that. You will be called up to ring the bell to start the meeting.
When he rings the bell to conclude the meeting, President Chad Blanchard will match your donation with another $25 donation to the Beaumont Rotary Foundation!
The meeting on Wednesday, December 19 will be in the evening at the Gray Library on the Lamar University campus instead of Noon at the MCM Elegante' Hotel.
As we celebrate the holiday season together, we will enjoy great food, music, and some very special and fun entertainment. Watch for pictures of the long awaited party!
The annual election for Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees took place at the meeting on December 11, 2013. Those elected will begin the designated terms of service on July 1, 2014.
The new Board of Directors members are:
Steve Lucas
Sharon McCabe
Ryan Smith
Tim Sudela
Elected to the Foundation Board of Trustees was Harland Merriam.
Rotarians were quick to say "yes" to the call to service for the Salvation Army Red Kettle drive. It got a little chillly as the cold front moved into the area but that did not stop Rotarians from helping out this massive effort for those in need. Thank you to all who helped: David Locke, Michael Perez, Chris Lamson, Larry Beaulieu, Linda Williams, Ted Moor, Tommy Hebert, Rob Glassey, Sylvester Hill, Travis Brewer, Twila Baker, Fred Kristiansen, Mary Ellen Robertson, John Weitzel, Glenn McWherter, Chad Blanchard, John Worthington, Jason Winfrey, Carolyn McGuire, Cindy Cherry, Mary Poole, Laura Miller, Pat Anderson, Larry Cooper, and Harland Merriam.
We will post photos on the website and some on Facebook too as they become available.
The annual H-E-B "Feast of Sharing" Holiday dinner took place last Friday, December 6 and we were proud to have Rotarians as volunteers. It is such a great feeling to be able to join with others in the community and lend a hand for a great effort. Leading the Rotarian volunteers was Angela Baker who reports everyone had a good time too! Joining her were:
Rene Greenwald
Claire Jackson
Bel Lamb
Ted Moor
Lane Olson
Connie Szuch
Linda Williams
Vic Zaloom
Non-Rotarians with our group included Ray Baker, Charlie Busceme, and Barbara Moor.
Sponsor Roy Huckaby proudly looks on as Glenn McWherter is welcomed to the club by President Chad Blanchard. Glenn is a Wealth Manager with JP Morgan Chase Bank. He resides in Vidor with his wife, Melinda, and three children - Jacob, Olivia, and Grant.
Not only did the Dean don a holiday hat for the presentation, but Lynn Castle also entertained the crowd with a celebratory poem for the occasion! Receiving a Bachelor of Rotary Science degree and a Blue Badge were Kate Carroll and Scott Droddy.
Mandela helped launch the Kick Polio Out of Africa campaign later that year with 1996-97 Rotary President Luis Giay and Rotary Foundation Chair Rajendra Saboo. Almost immediately, Africa's polio eradication effort was back on track. Using soccer matches and celebrity endorsements, the campaign raised public awareness of polio and helped spur more than 30 African countries to hold their first National Immunization Days.
Rotary Speaker for December 11th 2013 was Dr. David E, Parkus, Director of Trauma Surgery for Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital. Dr. Parkus was introduced by Ivy Pate.
Dr. Parkus stated that he last spoke to Rotary 16 years ago, and since he has not been invited back until now, he guessed his talk must have not been that good!
Dr. Parkus described for Rotarians a clearer picture of just what a trauma center was. He stated that90% of injuries and medical conditions are not classified as trauma, and can be treated at 90% of our hospitals.
Dr. Parkus stated that 150,000 people die from trauma, every year, that it is the number one cause of death (up to age 44), and that it is the most expensive form of treatment.
Dr. Parkus spoke with pride of the Christus St. Elizabeth Trauma Center, which earned its designation in 1999.
Trauma Centers are hospitals that provide critical care and have met rigorous standards. They provide the highest
quality of care.
Dr. Parkus shared with Rotarians that since we are not in a ‘hospital-designated’ location, medical clinics can and have
opened up all over our area, depleting critical revenues that major hospitals rely on. After all, hospitals are businesses .
Dr. Parkus shared some trauma-related experiences, as well as his recent appearance and participation on the TNT show "Hero." Dr. Parkus made it to the final round.
He informed Rotarians that “the Rock is a really big guy - 6’4” and 260 lbs.”
Dr. Parkus is rightfully proud of our Trauma Center. He feels that he had created something that really makes a difference
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