Sept 25 2024 Newsletter

Co-President Steve Dunton led us in the Pledge of Allegiance to open the meeting.  Co-President, Jeff Film followed with the invocation.

 

Steve thanked Gail Moseley and Gale Stawiery for checking us in this morning and welcoming our visitors, Julie Brandle and Rochelle Sibbio.

 

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS:  Our Immediate Past District Governor, Julie Brandle was here to make two special presentations this morning.  The first was to the club and particularly to Annette Oborn, Past President as we were presented with the highest award in the Rotary world, the Rotary Citation Award.  This means that our goals were met or exceeded.  Only 5 clubs in our district earned that award, Cleveland, Akron, Twinsburg, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow.  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this possible.

 

The second presentation went to club member, Elizabeth Eaken.  She was recognized with a Leadership Above Self award for leading the "Pinkie for Polio" event where she raised $4000 to fight polio through donated donuts.  Congratulations, Elizabeth.  

 

Elizabeth also brought a Rotary flag from her Uncle's Istanbul, Turkey Rotary club.  He was here when Elizabeth's father passed away in May.  

 

Rotary Anniversary:  Annie Hanson Hilaire is celebrating 15 years as a Rotarian this week.

Wedding Anniversary: Will and Bri Sumser are celebrating four years of marriage this week.

Birthday:  If you see Eric Green, be sure to tell him happy birthday.

 

Drawing:Brad Ruth's table had the winning ticket but Brad drew the 5 of hearts, so the pot will continue to grow.

 

Marty Tass thanked everyone who helped with the Adopt-A-Spot location this summer.  It was a beautiful addition to the Doughboy area.

 

Marty also wanted people to be aware that the Stow Munroe Falls Community Foundation will sponsor their annual Beer Fest at the Heritage Barn from 2:00-5:00 on Saturday,  October 5.  There is also a Special VIP Access time from 1:00-2:00.  Google Stow Munroe Falls Community Foundation for ticket information.  Eleven breweries will be on site that day.

 

Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction:  

In just two short weeks, Chairperson, Gail Moseley reminded us that this event will occur. It takes place at Guy's Party Center, on October 9 starting at 6:30 pm. We still could used baskets, wine, gift cards, or money to purchase items for baskets.  Gail needs to have these items or your ticket money by next week.  When your tickets have been paid for, send Andy Denton an email at dentontaz@aol.com if there are people with whom you want to sit.  Remember that there is no morning meeting on that day.

 

Foodbank:  Mary Dula told us that because of the Reverse Raffle, our Foodbank volunteer time has been moved to October 23 and we will not volunteer on October 9.

 

Dave Renninger and Maria Ferrara are in charge of our donations for this effort.  The Rotary Foundation is a product of Rotary International and is our opportunity to support things like getting rid of polio throughout the rest of the world, and helping areas to have clean water in places where people don't have it now.  October is Foundation month for our club and so we all will receive gentle reminders to contribute without being harassed.  The goal is to have $100 per member contributed by everyone in our club.  A very simple way to give is through automatic monthly donations.  Maria can help you set that up if you text her at 330-328-6028.

 

The Foundation began in 1917 for the purpose of "Doing Good in the World"  For a cumulative donation of $1000, a donor becomes a Paul Harris Fellow.  Paul Harris was the founder of Rotary International, an organization that has grown to be a top-rated charity.  It has received a perfect rating from Charity Navigator and has provided over an 8% return on average since its inception.  Last year our club raised over $14,000 through the contributions of 30 individuals.  Thirty-five of our club members are Paul Harris Fellows.  

 

Meeting Place Change:  What a nice problem to have! We are running out of room at Bellacinos.  So, on October 16, we will begin meeting at The Center, 4157 Hudson Dr. in Stow.  It is the former Stow Youth Baseball and is across Hudson Dr. from the plaza with Rockne's and Garrett's Mill.  Note that on Oct. 2, we will still be at Bellacinos.

 

Along with the meeting place change, there has been conversation at the board meeting about the use of credit cards to pay for breakfast.  Jeff Film is doing a survey to see how many people might be interested.  If you did not respond to the survey this morning, please text him at 330-352-4895 to let him know if you would use a credit card or not.  Use of a card would require that a $2 fee would be passed on to the person using the card.  The club cannot absorb that fee.

 

Football Pool:  The only winners of the pool from the club this week are:  Brad Ruth, Steve Dunton and Eric Weber.

 

District Gala: When Julie Brandle was with us this morning, she also told us that the Foundation Celebration/District Gala will be at The Center on November 7.  More information will follow.

 

Interact: Dinah Henderson reported on recent Club Interact activities from the high school students.  This is Homecoming Week so they are preparing a float. Dick Hall got a big shout out for his help with their float with the theme"Sunset Blvd." They helped at Paw Fest, managed a car wash to benefit the Stow Schools Foundation (with an$800 profit).  They are at the library every Sunday afternoon to read with students as part of Bow Wow Book Buddies.  They helped at the Foodbank and will help at Stow Fest.  The club meets on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 3:30 and would always welcome Rotarians.

 

Community Help:  Mayor Pribonic added to that to say that Interact will be helping at a home on Sierra Vista from 10:00-1:00 on Saturday, October 5.  The home had storm damage and needed some outdoor help.  Text him at 330-842-9687 if you are also willing to help.

 

PROGRAM: In the absence of De-De Mulligan, Carrie Leising introduced this morning's speaker, Rochelle Sibbio, who is President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Summit County.  She has been with Habitat since June of 2006.  During that time, she has worked collaboratively with her board to grow the budget from, $600,000 to over $4,500,000 a year.  She has won many awards recognizing not only this progress but her leadership skills.

 

Habitat was begun by Millard and Linda Fuller in 1976 as an ecumenical effort to "Put God's love into action to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live."  They recognized the need for affordable housing and decided to act on that need.  In the Habitat system, one family pays back by building the next home for another person.  It becomes a revolving fund for humanity.  When a low to medium income person meets the requirements to become a homeowner, they receive a 30-year, zero interest, mortgage.  Since adequate housing is the single most predictor of health, Habitat is making a difference.  Shelter is not a privilege, it is a need.

 

Many of us associate former President Jimmy Carter with Habitat.  This was the work he began after his presidency, having worked on 4,300 homes.  He will be 100 years old on October 1.

 

In Summit County, Habitat had its beginning with people from First Congregational Church in downtown Akron and St. Paul's Episcopal Church in the west side of Akron in 1987.  In 2003 they built their 100th home.  In 2007 they began Restore which specializes in repurposing building materials, furniture and tools.  In 2008, they had their first mortgage payoff when they actually burned the mortgage.  In 2009 they had a $2 million capital campaign and now are building about 10 homes per year.  A very special project is a 16 home, housing project off Dan St. in North Hill, which will be finished in 2025 and will come with a new City of Akron park.

 

Advocacy and everything involved around affordable housing is a very important aspect of Habitat, and a mission for Rochelle.  To contact her about becoming more involved, contact her at rochelle@hfhsummitcounty.org or 330-745-7734.

 

Co-President Steve ended the meeting by leading us in the Rotary Four-Way Test.