Co-President Steve Dunton opened the meeting by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Aimee Budnik, Program Host, led us in the invocation.
Steve thanked Todd Hearty and Jack Evans for checking us in this morning and welcoming our visitors, Jacinto Nunez, Susan Colvill-Hall and Keith Scher, our speaker.
PROGRAM:
Aimee Budnik posed a couple of questions before she introduced our speaker. She asked us why we shouldn't trust trees and what kind of music scares balloons. Check with Amy for the punch line of her jokes. Amy is on the Board of Directors for Bright Star Books and was proud to introduce the President and Co-Founder, Keith Scher.
Keith explained that their son, Keaton at age 3 was amazed to find out that not all children had books. His questions about that were the push that the family needed to begin the project, when Keaton said "Then we have to give them some." Keith discovered that 60% of children living in poverty do not own a book. Ages 0-5 are the strongest need because books help to get them ready for kindergarten. Children need to be able to distinguish the print from the pictures and learn how to hold a book. So, in 2014, Bright Star Books was born and operated out of their home until 2017 when they began to use space in Ravenna.
There are two main parts of the program, which distributes about 50,000 books per year. The first is a cooperative venture with WIC, which is a supplemental nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children. Children who participate in WIC receive 5 age-appropriate books every six months. They are distributed in color-coded bags in categories of board books, toddler books and books for pre-kindergarten. Bags of books are dropped off at Summit County Health Department and then distributed through WIC. That procedure also builds trust with the health department for future contacts.
The second program involves free Book Fairs within about 20 schools in Akron. With the help of Kate, their employee who has a degree in early childhood development, 6-7 book fairs every year rotate through the 20 schools. They take over the library for a day or two and each child is able to choose five books. Teachers help direct the children to appropriate tables. During the summer, the Akron Area YMCAs are the point for the Free Book Fairs. Over 90% of Bright Star's books are donated. They also give out information about how to sign up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
The project earned an Ohio Friends of WIC Award in 2019, pointing to the value of the program. To drop off books, go to The Learned Owl in Hudson or Shelf Life in Cuyahoga Falls. Next Tuesday, they will be a sponsor of the Akron Rubber Ducks Game at 6:30. For more information, go to www.brightstarbooks.org.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Ray Evans was happy to report that he and his new wife Linda were married last weekend. Congratulations, Ray and Linda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Golf Outing: June 13 is the big date for this year's outing at Fox Den. The committee will meet tonight at the FOP Lodge at 6:00. We still need golfers, so check with anyone you know who might pull a foursome together. And, of course we will always accept more sponsors. Full information including registration is attached.
Social With Tallmadge Club: This was originally scheduled for tomorrow evening but it has been postponed. Watch for a new date.
Cluster Project: The Cluster Project is in full swing now, where together we are renovating 8 rooms at Harvest Home. Under Steve Dunton's leadership, Tony Malorni, Mary Parr, Matt Aguiar and Scott Miller worked on the project last week. If you are interested in helping, text Steve at 330-618-0368 and he will send you a link for signing up. All equipment will be there. Your just need to wear old clothes and bring your painting skills.
Graduation Night Help: Dinah Henderson is looking for a few more volunteers to help Club Interact sell flowers at graduation tomorrow evening. Text her at 330-612-2100 to let her know you are interested in helping.
Foodbank: If you can, please sign up to volunteer at the Akron-Canton Foodbank from 4:30-6:30 on Wednesday, June 11. That is our next volunteer time and the need is great!
Banner Exchange and District Governor Installation: Yesterday Bob Oborn sent out an e-mail making it easy to sign up to attend the July 2 event where he will be installed as District Governor. It would be great for as many as possible from our club to attend and to reflect our pride in and support of Bob. The event is right here at The Center and will involve heavy appetizers and a cash bar. The cost is only $25.00 per person.
Rubber Ducks Game: Be sure to sign up to attend the Rubber Ducks Game the evening of July 30 for our Fifth Wednesday activity. We will not meet that morning. Sign up now to say you will be going and Jeff Film will collect the $13 per person at a later date.
Need for a Host Family: Susan Coville-Hall, from the Akron Club was again with us in search of a host family for a high school student from Peru beginning this fall. The girl will be attending Stow-Munroe Falls High School. Ideally there would be three host families with one hosting from the beginning of the school year into November. Then the second family would host until March and the final family for the rest of the school year. Contact Susan at rye6630Susan@gmail.com for more information or to volunteer.
Board Meeting: Note that our June Board Meeting will be on the 20th instead of the 13th because the normal date is in conflict with our Golf Outing.
Drawing: Mary Dula's table had the winning ticket but Mary drew the 2 of clubs, so the pot will continue to grow.
Steve adjourned the meeting by leading us in the Rotary Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, May 29, 6:00 at The Wine Mill in Peninsula, join the Tallmadge Club for a social time. This has been postponed. Watch for a new date.
Wednesday, May 29 sell water and flowers at the high school graduation to help club Interact
Wednesday, June 4, 7:30 a.m. regular morning meeting at The Center when Zack Cowan of the Stow Planning Commission will be our speaker.
Wednesday, June 11, 4:30-6:30 volunteer at the Akron Canton Foodbank
Friday, June 13, Golf Outing at Fox Den
Friday, June 20, 7"15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, June 25. 7:30 a.m. at the Center Installation of Bob Sweitzer as President for 25-26, as well as the board members and officers.
Wednesday, July 2 in the evening at The Center, Bob Oborn will be installed as District 6630's governor.
Wednesday, July 30, 6:30 p.m. attend the Rubber Ducks game as our fifth Friday social event. There will be no morning meeting.
Wednesday, October 9, in the evening., Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at The Center.
Respectfully Submitted,
Andrea Denton
330-474-7265
330-414-1934