Jonathan Delaughter recently started working at DNA Communications for our fellow Rotarian Ahmed Kamel...who snapped him up, when he heard about his experience in working with the poor internationally.
Delaughter served on a mission to Cambodia on behalf of Hope Expeditions; this religious mission brought him to some of the poorest locations in the country, where he and his fellows were able to supply schoolchildren with badly needed school supplies, backpacks and shoes.
They also went to a regional youth home which allows students to attend high school or college; it enables them to live close by, when they would otherwise have to stay in their rural homes...or fall prey to living on the streets, and getting involved in crime or human trafficking.
While on hand at the youth home, they were able to clean up and expand the kitchen area -- making it more livable for the students who reside there.
He also says the Cambodian economy has all but completely collapsed, and an American dollar goes much further than the local currency.
In thanks for his efforts, one of the local leaders spontaneously gave him a traditional drum; the drum head is make of snake skin, which can actually change the sound of the drum depending on the temperature and climate.
Rotary is always on the lookout for new and younger members; but Michael DeVito has set a new standard -- he's just 22, and still has brothers in the Sycamore School District.
Michael joined our Club earlier this year, and says it's something he's been interested in doing for some time. He says he has a sincere desire to become part of the Sycamore community, and to start giving back to the people of Sycamore as soon as possible...and he sees Rotary as a way of doing so.
Michael is already active in the community; he's with the Pumpkin Festival and Turning Back Time Car Show committees...and convinced the latter to contribute to our Operation Warm campaign.
He also works in insurance here in Sycamore, representing MyInsuranceGuy in our area; Michael is also an avid traveler, and has been to several locations around the world.
This year's annual Rotary Holiday Party will be held at Taxco Restaurant in downtown Sycamore on Wednesday, December 20th.
We will be gathering at 11:30 a.m. and can stay through 2:30 p.m. The event will be informal, with Rotarians having the chance to relax with their friends; but there could be a few Reindeer Games before the day is done....
This will be our last official Rotary Club event for the year; be sure to let Eric Jones or Sally Bruch know if you will be in attendance, and if you plan to bring any guests.
Tatum Glas has been invited to join, and submitted her application to, the Sycamore Rotary Club. She is the communications manager for the Leukodystrophy Foundation.
In keeping with our bylaws, all potential Rotarians must have their name and classification submitted to the membership; if there are no objections within seven days, then that member is eligible for installation.
Tom and Jerry's would like to thank the Rotary Club for the generous tip we provided them with after Wednesday's meeting.
Our Rotarians, in turn, would like to thank Tom and Jerry's for the consistently high quality food, and the high level of service, that they provide us with throughout the year.
A therapy group of girls staying at Hope Haven has bonded together, after enduring the worst imaginable trauma while growing up…and spending the last two and a half years sharing their experiences with each other. Now as they prepare to move through their last year together, the members of this group – who have dubbed themselves “The Squad” – hope to share one last great adventure…and are seeking Rotary’s help.
Hope Haven Executive Director Lesly Wicks says these six girls have participated in trauma therapy sessions at Hope Haven, and have struggled just to find shelter at times. But through these sessions and their work with each other, these girls now have a chance at fulfilled adult lives. Part of their therapy has involved exploring the outdoors; they have been camping, hiking, kayaking, canoeing and other outdoor events in five states.
They now want to undertake their most ambitious adventure yet, with a trip to Canada; the cost of such an excursion would be high, so with the help of Dave Juday from Ideal Industries they have developed a business plan and model…and have begun manufacturing a number of items, to sell around the community and put towards their Canada trip.
Rotary President Eric Jones encourages Rotarians to not only support their sales effort, but find out what more Rotary can do to help The Squad realize this dream, and goals beyond that. He, Lesly and Dave want to expand the vision for this group beyond a single fundraising opportunity, and would like to know if any Rotarians would be interested in devoting their time and effort to help these girls further build their confidence and character.
Please contact Eric if you are interested in helping out.
The Sycamore Rotary's meeting site at Blumen Gardens is also the hub of activity for the Goodfellows during the Christmas season -- and Rotarians are encouraged to help out during the next few weeks.
Each year, Goodfellows bands together for a single purpose: to provide children with clothing for the holiday season. This year, over 1,000 children are expected to be served; to help out, the Goodfellows held its annual Office Party benefit on Thursday, December 7th at P.J.'s Courthouse Tavern, beginning at 5:00 p.m.
You can also help with gift-wrapping, as the organization takes over Blumen Gardens to prepare these gifts for delivery; wrapping will be held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. Rotary has done its part, by donating the remaining coats from Operation Warm to the Goodfellows for them to distribute as needed.
And the campaign culminates on Christmas Eve, as community members are asked to take the gifts to homes in the DeKalb and Sycamore area; volunteers will gather at Blumen Gardens at 8 o'clock that morning, to pick out some of the distinctive red and green plastic bags filled with Christmas cheer for delivery to their recipient families.
Please contact Riley Oncken if you have any questions, or would like to make a donation.
Due to the holiday season, The Spoke will not be published the week of December 25th, 2017; if there are any important messages for the Rotary Club membership, they will be sent out via blast e-mail.
Publication of our club bulletin will resume on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2017 -- the day before our opening meeting of the year.
The next Club Committee Meeting Day will be held on Wednesday, January 31st, 2018; in lieu of a regular meeting, all committees with projects coming up during the next quarter of the Rotary year will have the opportunity to meet and work on details of their events -- putting club time to use, instead of having to meet via e-mail or after a regular meeting.
Upcoming projects would include the February and March program committees, Rural-Urban Day, the District Conference on April 27-28 at Faranda's, Hula-for-Loota and Rotarians at Work Day. Others may be added, as required.
Attendance Report -- December 13, 2017
Attendance: 58.82%
Visiting Rotarians: Bob Pritchard, Jim MacMurdo, Nancy Peltz and David Dosier (Kishwaukee Sunrise)
Guests of Members:Jonathan Delaughter (Ahmed Kamel)
Other Guests: Luca-Sophie Giese (exchange student)
