Past President, Annette Oborn opened the meeting by leading in the Pledge of Allegiance. Program Host, Marty Tass followed with a meaningful invocation from “The Book of Monbeck”.
PROGRAM: Marty shared that a highlight of the last week was seeing Apollo Fire performing “Ben Franklin in Paris.” Something he is looking forward to is celebrating the 52nd anniversary of his first date with Debbie.
He then introduced Dave Johnson and Dana Singer from the Loads of Faith Laundry Service which is sponsored by Faith Lutheran Church in Akron and the national Laundry Love organization. Dave spent five decades in the automotive repair world but when he participated in mission trips to Guatemala and to southern Ohio, he started looking for ways to serve closer to home and became involved in Loads of Faith. Dana Singer was raised in Stow and spent 15 years in business with medical devices. She became involved with Faith Lutheran Church and then the laundry program.
The basic premise of the program is to offer free laundry service, While the people are doing their laundry free alterations are also available and even tutoring for the children who may be with the adults. Hygiene bags, first aid kits, dental supplies and even small sewing kids are available for those who need them. Many different countries are represented in the program as it operates in North Hill, West Akron and Barberton. That serves as a benefit to the volunteers who learn about other cultures and people.
For people who are living in poverty, difficult choices have to be made between food, medications and other necessities of life so that laundry is not a top priority. However, especially for homes where there are children, clean clothes may be the thing that keeps them from being bullied or ostracized by their peers. Fourth and eleventh grade seem to be particularly significant times for this. In addition, if an adult is seeking employment, or even other types of assistance, an appearance in clean clothing can make a huge difference. The program is strongly supported by Akron Public Schools and even the Mayor of Akron.
Dana explained that in 2025 there were about 2500 family members served by their program, which operates the last Wednesdy of the month when money is especialy tight. Participants load their own washers and dryers and the volunteers plug credit cards into the washers and dryers and provide the detergent. Each family handles their own laundry.
In Summit County, people can contact 211 to find out about the services or anyone can go to www.Laundrylove.org to find out more information. To contact Dana Singer or Dave Johnson, to see how you might help, go to outreach@faithlutheranchurch.org . It costs between $800 and $1000 per month to support each location and volunteers are always welcome. See the attached sheet for further contact information.
BUSINESS MEETING:
Annette thanked Steve Dunton and Dave Renninger for checking us in this morning and welcoming our visitors Dave Johnson, Dana Singer and Tom Barr.
CELEBRATIONS:
Happy Bucks:
Leslee Salhany had two happy bucks The first that since she is recovering from shoulder replacement, Dick Hall picked her up to come to the meeting at 6:15 this morning. The second happy buck was that she is recovering well from her surgery.
Ray Evans was really happy this morning He thanked Gale Stawiery for chairing a great Reverse Raffle. It was especially great for him because he was one of the five winners in the raffle. He also was a winner in the football pool this week and his wife, Linda had successful cataract surgery.
Drawing: De-de Mulligan's table had the winning number but Linda Trevorrow drew the 3 of spades so the pot will continue to grow.
Concern: Gail Moseley's brother, who lived in Texas, passed away last week. We send our sympathy and wish her a safe return.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Football Book Winners:
Dick Hall announced the winners for the past 2 weeks. Club members who won were: Denise Green, Maria Ferrera, Dinah Henderson, Brad Ruth, Mary Dula, Bob Oborn and Cyle Feldman
Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction: Gale Stawiery thanked everyone who attended last week's event and her committee who organized it. She announed that the profit is $18,789 which is over $4000 more than was predicted in our budget. Great job everyone! She ga ve special thanks to Gail Moseley for her work on the Silent Auction. In turn the club gave Gail a round of applause for her success. There will be a follow-up meeting of the committee to see if anything needs to be done differently for next year.
Emergency Response Event: Mike Dunton reminded the people who will be at the event at the Senior Center this Friday to be there at 8:00 and that you will be identified by your Rotary vests, as you register seniors who attend and want services after a power outage. If you have questions, contact Mike at madunton@gmail.com or Bob Oborn at rorotary20252026@gmail.com.
The Rotary Foundation: Dave Renninger thanked those who have contributed to The Rotary Foundation (the international arm of Rotary) so far and said that the campaign will continue through November.
Annette led us in the Rotary Four-Way Test to conclude the meeting.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Friday, October 23, 9:00 a.m. until noon, Emergency Response meeting at the Senior Center
Wednesday, October 28, 7:30 a.m regular weekly meeting at The Center when David Malanowski will be the speaker
Wednesday, November 11, 4:30-6:30 volunteer time at the Akron Canton Foodbank.
Friday, November 13, 7:15 a.m. Board meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, December 16 in the evening, Holiday Helping Hands bag packing in the evening
Respectfully Submitted
Andrea Denton