Aug 5 2020 Newsletter

ATTENDANCE:  We were glad to have the following members at the meeting today.  Rick Archer, Rich Bedell, Bill Choler, Dave Christman, Roger Cline, Andy Denton, Mary Dula, Steve Dunton, Elizabeth Eaken, Ray Evans, Jeff Film, Dick Hall, Annie Hanson Hilare, Brad Jagger, Carrie Leising, Tom Loepp, Gail Moseley, Annette Oborn, Bob Oborn, Dave Renninger, Leslee Salhany, Olivia Saltzmann, Amanda Steinheiser, J.T. Stimler, Bob Sweitzer, Ron Taggart, Marty Tass, Kelly Toppin, Lisa Toppin, Linda Trevorrow, Marrisa Williams.  We were also glad to see Pat Hanson, Sue Figler and our speaker  Michael Solosky.

 

President Linda Trevorrow opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by an invocation by Rich Bedell.

 

Carrie Leising shared that her daughter, Keeley has accepted a position as boy's soccer coach at Kent Roosevelt High School.

 

Marty Tass thanked Rich Bedell and the youth from the city program for weeding the club's flower bed.  He encouraged others to do the same.

 

Leslee Salhany shared that she was named on of the top 20 real estate agents of Ohio and also that her Dad is going to be 90 and still swims every day.

 

Anniversaries: Congratulations to Leslee and Gary Salhany (37) and Jim and Laurel Laber (27) for their years of marriage.

 

Foodbank: Mary Dula announced that hopefully we will begin to be able to begin volunteering again at the Akron-Canton Foodbank on Wed., September 2. The new time will be 4:30-6:30 and only 5 people will be able to volunteer at a time. Masks must be worn. Steve Dunton, Leslee Salhany and Amanda Steinheiser volunteered.  If you are also interested, text Mary at 330-715-6358.  She thanked Dave Renninger for all of his work on this project.

 

Teacher Supply Closet: Carrie reported that she has talked with her committee and that they will put off the virtual fundraiser for a while until things settle down with the school procedures.  Carrie suggested that we look for deals anyway for the supplies.  Sue Figler said that the scouts headquarter can be a drop-off area for the materials.

 

Stow Band Tag Day: Tag Day, for the Stow-Munroe Falls High School band, scheduled to be on August 7 will be virtual this year.  Dick Hall suggested that perhaps we could donate some of our breakfast money to them.

 

Shoebox Project:  The club's project to fill boxes for the "Children of the Dump" in Nicaragua is underway.  We have 25 6-year boys assigned to us.  Linda will forward the list that Bob sent out last week of the specific items that are needed for the boxes. If you are going to shop for items for the boxes, they can be dropped off at the Oborns within the next week and they will fill the actual boxes.  If you would rather donate money, each box costs at least $30.  You can send a check for that amount made out to Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary Foundation to Annette Oborn at 381 Silver Valley Blvd. Munroe Falls Ohio 44262.  If you are going to fill a box, please let Annette know at aoborn@att.net,  right away.  

 

Rich Bedell, this morning's program host, told us that his Happiness Moment was going to weed the Adopt-A-Spot bed and finding that it was already in pretty good shape. 

 

He then introduced Michael Solosky, Development Officer at the Haven of Rest.  He is a graduate of Archbishop Hoban and The University of Akron and had a wide business background before joining the Haven of Rest.  He thanked the club for the opportunity to speak and also for the breakfast money donation.

 

Historically, the Haven was begun by C.C. and Marjorie Ruth Thomas in 1943 as they welcomed homeless men into their home and had cots arranged in their basement for them.  The had a $35.00 per month budget and relied on the good will of people for their donations.  That base has not changed.  They are still totally dependent on donations and receive no government funding.  They also have no long-term debt with a yearly budget of $9.6 million and 90 staff.  85% of the money comes from individuals and the majority of the donations go to client and resident services.

 

Their first move was to two storefronts on North Howard St.  Then in 1953 they moved into a building that in 1974 was purchased by the University of Akron.  They then built at their present location at 175 E. Market St. in Akron.  In 1979 they began serving women and children through their Harvest Home program.  When property that was originally Sanginetti's Restaurant became available, they purchased that and built their Client Services Center.  Homeless men stay there while their longer term clients, called residents, are at the other building.    The Client Services Center also houses the men's and women's day programs and donation services.  Clients use this address and phone number as they apply for jobs or more permanent housing.  There is a strong spirit of collaboration with other social service agencies in the community.

 

There are about 30 residents who typically live there for about a year.  During that time, they receive, counseling, therapy, addiction services and career development with the goal of having a more secure future.  They must remain sober in order to stay.  

 

The Continuum of Care does a point in time count of homeless people every year in the county.  The 2018 count shows that out of a total population in Summit County of 541,353, the homeless population numbered 5,447.  

 

The Haven always needs in-season clothing and especially gently used coats in the winter.  Canned fruits and vegetables are also appreciated.   Donations can be taken to the Client Services

Building at 207 E. Market St. in Akron where there is a donation drive-through and people to help unload donations.

 

JOKE:  Elizabeth Eaken had a joke about a man who was speeding and was stopped by the police.  He tried to be very clever about the stop.  She can tell you the rest of the joke.  The person responsible for next week's joke is Annette Oborn.

 

Linda dismissed us asking us to serve the community.

 

Submitted by Andy Denton