Our meeting started promptly a few minutes after noon when President Stacie wacked the bell calling the meeting to order. In his wonderful style, Brother Dave Hartman led us in prayer. The Pledge and the song, Silent Night, using sign language, was directed by Cara Sauceda. We had two guests, Jake Munholland’s brother Joe and Colton Heinrich’s friend, Austin Green, who will soon be a new club member.
Carla Dowlen announced birthdays for Larry Tegtmeyer and Jake Munholland. For the sunshine report, David Kelley announced he has a new grandson, Charlie. Congratulations Gramps! Braden Wood’s father is doing well after a recent hospitalization.
Danny Steed, Andy Kocher, and Noris Martin relayed the heartwarming stories for the Brag Bucket.
Josh Phillips then introduced Kris Gossom, the 9-year Director of Interfaith Ministries, a coalition of church groups that address community needs not fulfilled by other programs or agencies. Formed after the 1979 tornado disaster, several church groups met and formed Interfaith Disaster Services to help rebuild our community.
Interfaith Disaster Services continued by responding to other community issues and in 1982 was renamed Interfaith Ministries, Inc. The program expanded with new services including distributing diapers, medical supplies, and medical equipment. Their number one service request is help with rent because of inflation and a shortage of low-cost housing. Utility bill assistance is also available. Atmos gas has made grants available for natural gas services. The Food Pantry has supplied 83,000 pounds of food given to over 7,000 people in 2,684 households through November of this year. This is almost double over last year. Personal care products, detergent, all purpose paper are also supplied. For several years, an anonymous donor has paid the expenses for the handling costs at the Food Pantry. There is also some assistance with prescriptions for those with chronic illness. Basically, Interfaith Ministries helps people whose needs are not met by other programs or agencies. Interfaith Ministries has four employees and uses volunteers. 70% of their operating funds are from individual donations. There is no state or federal aid. President Stacie then informed our speaker that a donation to the WFISD Foundation was made for her presentation.
The Rotary Minute was given by David Spencer who spoke about a new program, the Rotary Friendship Exchange. This international exchange program is organized around one or more themes: culture, service and vocation. Participants take turns hosting one another in their homes. We then recited the Four Way Test and out the door we went.