President Steve Dunton opened the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Gail Moseley followed with an invocation about gratitude. Steve then thanked Todd Hearty and Eric Green for getting us checked in this morning and for welcoming our visitors.
CELEBRATION:
John Long is celebrating 35 years as a Rotarian this week and Tom Loepp is observing 28 years.
Congratulations to Matthew Aguiar upon the completion of his blue sheet. He received his blue badge this morning and is now a full member of the club.
Drawing: Linda Trevorrow's table had the winning ticket, but she drew the 5 of clubs, so the pot will continue to grow.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Summer Sunset Blast: This event takes place this weekend from 5:00-10:00 both Saturday and Sunday at Silver Springs Park. Workers are needed for both days. If you have not signed up and can give some time, text Steve Dunton at 330-618-0368 to let him know when you can help. We will be selling raffle tickets at the event.
Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction: Gail Moseley reminded us that the Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction is the evening of October 9 at Guy's Party Center in Akron. Tickets are $150 for the in-person seating which included two dinners or $100 for a virtual ticket with no meals. The winner can take away $3,000. Donations of wine, $20 and $25 gift cards, and Silent Auction items are also needed.
A cottage in Michigan and Mary Parr's pies are two of the exciting items that have come in so far.
Foodbank: Our next volunteer time will be Wednesday, September 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 at the Foodbank in Akron. The Interact students will be with us again and dinner usually follows for the club. members. Sign up as you sign in.
Adopt-A-Spot: Our spot is looking great right now because the whole area got significant attention from professional landscapers before a couple city events on the lawn. But, weeds are hiding under the plants, so Marty Tass encouraged members to look for them when they weed. He thanked Matthew Aguiar and Denise and Eric Green for their recent weeding.
Club Experience Workshop: Bob Oborn told us that there will be a Club Experience Workshop, sponsored by District 6630 on October 19 from 10:00-1:00 at Mentor High School. There will be many topics of discussion and we will be showcased as to our membership program. Afterwards everyone is welcome to gather at Collision Bend Brewing where the proceeds will go to Pints for Polio.
Board Meeting: The next board meeting will be on Friday, September 13 at 7:15 a.m. at City Hall.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION:This morning we were happy to welcome Clye Feldman as a new member of the club. Jeff Film led in the induction while Dave Renninger gave him his pin, as his sponsor. He has been the Athletic Director of Stow Schools for 28 years and is Council President in Stow. He loves to sere others and looks forward to becoming a member of the club.
PROGRAM: Gail Moseley, Program Host told a great joke about a doctor, a lawyer and a fundraiser for Rotary who were all trying to get into heaven. Ask her to share the joke with you if you were not present to hear it.
She then introduced Shawn Greenleaf, who she has known for over 40 years. Shawn is a photographer, gardener and retired educator who has combined all three of her passions into "Kenya Kids". We are supporting her efforts as our International Project for this year.
This all started with a photo safari to Africa, where she fell in love with the children there who were part of the Maasai Tribe. She felt she was called to support them. She lived with the tribe for over 4 weeks and learned that the children were not getting an education. Her goal was to change that and she built Nashipe School as part of the Kenya Kids Project. It began with 20 children and within just a very few years, has grown to 94 children. Additions have been made to the original school to accommodate this change and more are planned. They are also building a playground for the children.
There are monthly parent meetings for parents who never imagined that their children would have an education. Teachers in Kenya earn about $100 a month.
The area is very poor. Potatoes, corn and rice are their staples. The roads are terrible and about the only transportation is by motorcycle. Water is brought in by people from the Kenya Air Force base who fill big drums in the village. There is no fresh water. But, in 2025 Shawn is planning on a well project there, so that too will change.
Steve closed the program by leading us in the Four-Way Test.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
Saturday August 31 and Sunday September 1, 5:00-10:00 each day,
Summer Sunset Blast at Silver Springs Park
Wednesday, September 4, 7:30 a.m., Morning meeting at Bellacinos when Joyce Hunt will talk about the Emergency Assistance Center.
Wednesday September 11, 4:30-6:30 Volunteer time at the Akron-Canton Foodbank
Friday, September 13, 7:15 a.m. Board Meeting at City Hall
Wednesday, October 9, no morning meeting but that evening we will have our Reverse Raffle/Silent Auction at Guy's Party Center.
Saturday, October 19, 10:00-1:00 Club Experience Workshop at Mentor High School. Our membership plan will be featured.
Andrea Denton
330-474-7265
330-414-1934