September 27, 2013
Pledge of Allegiance lead by Al Peskoe.
Invocation given by Paul Peacock.
Pres. Mika welcomed the guests: Past Dist. Gov. Boots White, Dist. Gov. Sheila Vinton, Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson, Dist. Gov. Elect Harriet Primack, Denise Benbrook from the Red Bank Club, Mike Ciavolino's guest Barb Youchah.
District Governor Sheila Vinton introduced Past RI President Wilf Wilkerson.
L-R Past District Governor Boots White, Club Pres. Mika Hon, District Governor Sheila Vinton, Past RI President Wilf Wilkerson,
Past District Governor Joan Vas, District Governor Elect Harriet Primack
Rotary International dignitaries visit and
thank the Rotary Club of Long Branch.
On Friday September 27th, the Rotary Club of Long Branch had the honor of hosting several International and Regional Rotary officials at their weekly meeting. The group of Rotary dignitaries were on hand to visit the damaged areas of Union Beach and other Shore areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy last Fall. They also thanked our Club for it’s good work in and around our area.
“I applaud your support last year of Habitat for Humanity” said former Rotary International President Wilf Wilkerson, “and I encourage you to continue in these efforts. These are exactly the type of projects that embody the spirit of Rotarians all of over the world. They are also the type of projects which will draw more members to your Club. Thank you for all of your hardworking, heartfelt efforts.”
Mr. Wilkerson was referring to the Habitat for Humanity Music Benefit that our club hosted in December of 2012 at Jack’s here in Long Branch. The proceeds of that event went to Habitat for Humanity and their efforts to rebuild and repair homes along the Shore.
A packed luncheon at Rooney’s of club members and honored guests welcomed the traveling group of officials which included the aforementioned Wilf Wilkerson, President of Rotary International in 2007-08. A Rotarian since 1962, Mr. Wilkerson’s career Rotary included a PolioPlus national advocacy adviser and a member at large of the PolioPlus Partners Task Force. Previously, he has served RI as district governor, International Assembly group discussion leader, consultative group member, committee member and chair, task force member, Foundation trustee, director, and vice president. Most recently, he was chair of the 2005 Chicago Convention Committee and vice chair of RI's Afghan refugee relief project.
Other Rotary officials attending our meeting included former District Governor Boots White, current District Governor Sheila Vinton, Past District Governor Joan Vas, and District Gov. Elect Harriet Primack.
District Governor Sheila Vinton inducting Adalberto Demelo into the Rotary Club of Long Branch
Our Club welcomes our newest member Adalberto Demelo
The Rotary Club of Long Branch is growing with new members seemingly every week. This week, our Club proudly welcomed Aldeberto Demelo as its newest member. Aldeberto and his family have a long and rich tradition of service to Rotary in his native town of Chiros, Brazil.
His father was a member of the Chiros Club as was Aldeberto after him. Their efforts in Chiros included the planning and fundraising for a new school designed specifically for special needs children. Welcome Aldeberto!
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Continued prayers for Tyler Richards and family
We still continue to ask for your thoughts, your prayers, your assistance and your donations to the family of little Molly Richards, daughter of one of our own Rotarians and owner of New Life Chiropractic here in Long Branch, Dr. Tyler Richards.
As previously mentioned in this column, Tyler’s daughter, two-year-old Molly Richards, has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Ann, Tyler, Emily, and Molly have traveled from New Jersey to Memphis, TN to participate in an experimental treatment at St. Jude's Children's Hospital. After they get set up at the Ronald McDonald house, Ann will stay with Molly while Tyler and Emily return to NJ to start school.
Many people are taking turns making dinners. Many are arranging play dates with Emily.
Another thing everyone can do is chip in to help with some of the expenses that the family will incur.
There is a PayPal site set up at http://tinyurl.com/op278vn
Donations to this page will put money directly into the family's account so they can use it for whatever they need such as airline tickets for family visits to Memphis, activities for the kids to do, and so on.
Please help the Richards family at all if you can at this time. Tell your friends or simply visit the PayPal link above. It will take credit cards safely and securely and the family will receive a notification directly and confidentially -- nobody else will see it.
Most importantly, prayer can do miraculous things. Please pray for Tyler, Ann, Emily and for a recovery for little Molly.
Rotary Club of Long Branch announces 50-50 raffle
The Rotary Club of Long Branch has announced a 50-50 raffle. Tickets are only $10 a piece and 1st 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded. A portion of the proceeds of the raffle will go towards the purchase of a Shelter Box for disaster relief.
Each green ShelterBox is tailored to a disaster but typically contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, a basic tool kit, a children’s activity pack and other vital items. It’s an important piece of equipment for Disaster victims so if you see a Rotarian selling a raffle ticket, please spend the $10 bucks. You could win up to several thousand dollars and help a family in dire straights somewhere around the world.
Our Next Club Meeting: Dr. Meg Fischer
The Next meeting of our Club will be Friday, October 4th at the beautiful Rooney’s Oceanfront Restaurant in Long Branch. Our speaker will be Dr. Meg Fischer, the head of Autism programs at Monmouth Medical Center.