ATTENDANCE: With us this morning were members: Rich Bedell, Bill Choler, Roger Cline, Jenny Coleman, Don Coughlin, Andy Denton, Mary Dula, Steve Dunton, Ray Evans, Sue Figler, Jeff Film, Christina Gary, Dick Hall, Mike Kostyack, Carrie Leising, Tom Loepp, John Long, Karen Monbeck, Gail Moseley, Annette Oborn, John Pribonic, Dave Renninger, Brad Ruth, Steve Stimmel, Bob Sweitzer, Ron Taggart, Marty Tass, Linda Trevorrow, Eric Weber, and Marissa Williams. Also joining us were Greg Colbeck, our speaker and Dinah Henderson, the Interact advisor from Stow-Munroe Falls High School.
President, Linda Trevorrow, opened our meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Program host, Annette Oborn led us in an invocation asking for a special blessing for sharing, caring and serving.
CONCERN:
Annette Oborn explained that her husband, Bob, is hospitalized at Cleveland Clinic Akron General for AFib and a staph infection that has gone into his blood. He is still having more tests today. She thanked everyone for their support and prayers.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Dave Renninger, Andy Denton , Karen Monbeck and Linda Trevorrow are all happy about getting the vaccine.
Annette Oborn showed us a painting of their dog, C.J done by George Lewis, the Waterman, who is a fellow Rotarian. Part of the proceeds of each picture he paints goes to Rotary's International Water Project. If you would like to send a photo to Mr. Lewis, contact Annette Oborn for information at aoborn@att.net.
Tina Gary completed her 15th half marathon last weekend and is preparing to do a 31-mile run in a couple of weeks. She has been running for about six years.
Sue Figler thanked Mayor Pribonic for all of the good things that are happening in Stow. Last week the Beacon Journal had two positive stories about Stow on the same day.
CELEBRATIONS:
Gail and Jack Moseley are celebrating their 46th wedding anniversary.
Steve and Nancy Fry are celebrating 24 years of marriage.
Carrie Leising has her 13th anniversary of being a Rotarian this week.
Linda Trevorrow is observing 31 years since the founding of her firm, Benjamin and Trevorrow, Inc.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Foodbank: Mary Dula says that Steve Dunton, Marissa Williams, Rich Bedell, and Gail Moseley will volunteer at the Akron-Canton Foodbank tonight from 4:30-6:30.
Easter Egg Hunt: Steve Dunton needs someone to head our club's portion of the project. He should have more information in the next couple of days and will get that out to the club as soon as he has it, as we will need to volunteer. Linda stated that the Interact students are anxious to work on this project.
Golf Outing: Dick Hall said there was a meeting of the golf committee for the June 7 event. They are in need of sponsorships at all levels, someone to donate toward the cost of the lunches, and signs for the holes. Tom Bahr is going to pay for the breakfast. Contact Dick at 330-686-9855 to offer help.
Restaurant Delivery: John Pribonic thanked, Kelly Ruth, Dick Hall, Pat Messmore, Jennifer Coleman, Lisa and Kelly Toppin and Gail Moseley for helping with Saturday's delivery for StowNut Donut and Corner Cup Coffeehouse. So far our proceeds are $600 from Stow Nut Donut and John will pick up the check from Corner Cup today. He does not know that amount yet, but it was a record day for Corner Cup.
Interact T-shirts: Dinah Henderson, advisor to the high school Interact Program showed us the t-shirts that were designed by the students and thanked the club for purchasing them for the club members.
PROGRAM:
For her Happiness Moment, Annette Oborn thanked everyone for their support. She explained that she is usually on the helping end, and is interested to be on the receiving end of others' help this past week.
This week's program was presented by Greg Colbeck, who has been COO of RAHAB Ministries since 2014. RAHAB (Reaching Above Hopelessness and Brokenness) was begun by Becky Moreland, who was a single Mom with four children who began meeting with women on the street out of concern for them. After building the organization that now employs 70 staff, she retired and the new CEO is Suzanne Lewis-Johnson.
Sex trafficking is a different problem than most of us recognize. We picture that this happens in other places to people who are taken against their will and locked away. Most victims don't identify with this as they call their trafficker their boyfriend or even daddy. The victims might be shopping next to you or be found in hotels, abandoned places or on line. Because of technology, traffickers are now invited into our homes to make contact and recruit participants. Victims are very much in our local area.
Federal Law defines sex trafficking as the recruiting, harboring, patronizing or soliciting people for a commercial sex act induced by force fraud or coercion. Minors are considered automatically as victims even if force, fraud and coercion are not factors.
Those who have a history of emotional neglect and or physical abuse are the number one victims from any background. Other precipitating factors are a history of sexual abuse, mental illness, divorce, having a Mom who was treated violently, and having an incarcerated relative.
When asked why the victims just don't walk away from the situation, the answers are similar to those who stay in a domestic violence situation. The abuser shows love, they have a strong bond with them, and they don't know any other way to live.
The goal of RAHAB is to offer an authentic version of love. Women are invited to community-based programs that connect them with meals, jobs, recovery and trauma support. There is an adult 24/7 safe house and a home for minors. Funding comes through Victims of Crime Assistance Grants, private grants, church partners and individual donors. For further information, Greg can be contacted at greg@rahab-ministries.org.
JOKE Leslee Salhany gave this week's jokes. One was about two mice who went swimming and the other was about a trip to the dentist for a toothache. She will have to tell you the rest of the jokes.
Next week Ron Taggart will share a joke with us.
Linda sent us out to enjoy today's weather and be of service to our community.
Submitted by Andy Denton