HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Co-President, Brad Ruth, opened the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Program Host, Sue Figler, led us in an invocation about the "Road Less Traveled."
CONCERN: Brad learned after the meeting that Ray Evans' wife Jan, passed away last night. We send our sincere sympathy.
CELEBRATIONS:
Birthdays: Christina Gary will celebrate her birthday on the 29th.
Rotary Anniversary: Linda Trevorrow will observe 15 years as a Rotarian this week.
HAPPY BUCKS:
Linda Trevorrow is thankful for one more warm day so that she can get her bulbs planted today.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Rotary Foundation: Dave Renninger reminded us that he is accepting checks on behalf of The Rotary Foundation. Checks can be brought to him at the in-person meeting next week or mailed to his home address: 5179 Bramble Creek Tr., Stow, OH 44224. Make sure your check is made out to The Rotary Foundation.
Cluster Project: Brad reported that the sapling planting project went very well last Saturday.. With the help of our Interact and students and clubs in Cuyahoga Falls and Tallmadge, 525 trees were planted by 11:30. Volunteers from the second shift were called not to come because the project was finished.
Holiday Helping Hands: The Christmas project only has a few more families available who need our help. Interact has chosen a family with three children and will shop for them. Plan to sign up at the meeting next week or contact Gail at gmoseley1973@yahoo.com to let her know you will help. She can tell you about the gifts that the child or children want.
Library Windows: Brad and students from Interact spent 3 hours taking old window decorations off the library windows. With the help of a power washer and ice scrapers, the job did get finished!
Holiday Cards: If you have leftover holiday greeting cards, the Interact Club would be glad to have them. They plan to send cards to all the residents and staff of the assisted living and nursing homes in Stow and Munroe Falls. Dinah Henderson, Advisor, thanked Linda for getting this idea started last year.
Foodbank: Next Wed. will be our time to volunteer at the Foodbank. Sixteen volunteers are permitted. We have 12 Interact students being bussed there and need to have four Rotarians sign up to go. Sign up as you enter the meeting next week.
Dictionary Delivery: Next week after our in-person meeting we will head out to deliver dictionaries to the various schools in Stow and Munroe Falls.We will go in pairs to the schools and will be able to go to the classrooms but we must wear masks. Be prepared to help!
OSU Football Pool: Pat Messmore reported that the following people won for week 11. They are: Bill Flinta, Ray Evans, Don Coughlin, Tom Bahr and Andrew Reis. Ray and Tom both won twice so it was really their lucky week.
District Committee: Brad reported that the district is looking for committee members who will help to make the decision about district projects. Let him know if you are interested.
Salvation Army: We will not be ringing bells for the Salvation Army this year, but will still stuff the bucket on Wednesday, December 15 at our Holiday Party.
Bulldog Bags: The items requested from us for December are oatmeal packets, hot chocolate packets and dental floss. Drop off your donations in the Bulldog Bag box in the lobby of City Hall.
PROGRAM; Sue Figler, Program Host, gave her COVID moment saying that during the pandemic she learned to slow down. And, during that time they also did alot of purging from their home and that felt good too.
Sue then introduced Debbie and John Higgins, Stow residents and co-founders of the Carson Higgins Memorial Fund. They established the fund a year after the death of their son, Carson, and took us down the road of Carson's medical battle and life successes as the family was involved in his challenges.
Carson was one of 5 brothers and was diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of two. On the day of the diagnosis, the family was told that he probably only had 30 days to live and they should enjoy him for those days. However, they ended up being accepted by St. Jude Hospital, where he spent the next 13 months. He endured chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant and radiation, in all giving him another 9 years of life.
During his illness, Carson continually saw angels and communicated with them. At one point his message from the angels was that his work was done here and they needed to help someone else. His parents said that he never complained. And although, bitterness could have easily happened, they adopted the words they heard at a talk. When people ask "Why me?", stop to ask "Why not me" Attitude can make all of the difference.
Because the cancer came back in 2016 and had spread, the family decided to take a trip of a lifetime to all of the National Parks that summer. John started with the arrangements by working with the head of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park because the trip had to happen right away. As they traveled, they had some amazing experiences from the rangers they met along the way. On August 16, 2016, Carson passed away unexpectedly in Las Vegas.
It was to honor him on the first anniversary of his death, that their foundation was established. The goal of the foundation was to battle childhood cancer and pay it forward to other families. To date they have raised over $600,000. Money has gone to entities like St. Jude, Rainbow Hospital, Stewart's Caring Place, and to the Stow Shop With A Cop program among others.
If you are interested in more information, go to carsonstrong.org. Or, you may contact Debbie directly at debbie@carsonstrong.org.
JOKE: Roger Cline told a joke about a young boy sharing information on how to motivate adults. Ask Roger to share the whole joke with you.
Brad ended the meeting by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, December 1. Morning meeting will be in person at Silver Lake. Fire Chief, Mark Stone, will be our speaker. Dictionary Delivery will take place after the meeting.
Wednesday, December 1, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Volunteer time at the Akron Canton Foodbank.
Wednesday, December 8, Morning meeting on Zoom with Jon Perkowski, co-owner of Jonny Burrito's Food Truck speaking on how COVID made his dreams come true.
Wednesday, December 15, morning meeting at Silver Lake for our Holiday Party. Bring checks for Stuff the Bucket for Salvation Army.
Wednesday, December 15, 5:30-7:30, Holiday Giving Wrapping Party in the Council Chambers of City Hall. Food will be provided. Bring your donations for the families we have adopted.
Wednesday, December 22, No meeting. Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 29, No meeting. Happy New Year.
Wednesday, January 5, Morning meeting on Zoom while Silver Lake is closed.
Wednesday, January 15, Morning meeting on Zoom while Silver Lake is closed.
Submitted by Andy Denton
Andrea Denton
330-474-7265
330-414-1934