We had a lively group gathering at the Redwood today! There were nineteen Rotarians and 4 guests including our Exchange Students Romane from Belgium, Hikaru from Japan and Brittany Tierson, who is a new applicant for Naples Rotary membership. Our speaker,  Shadasia Rogers and her support dog Smokey came from Buffalo!

 

Jack began with the Pledge and the Star Spangled Banner. Inspiring words were appropriate for Veterans Day: "Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." Harry Truman.

 

Announcements: John announced the Grand Opening of Thrift and Thrive, the upstairs space of Naples Open Cupboard on November 29 and 30th, noon-5pm. Sales of items there will fund the efforts of NOC * Cindy thanked LUN members for cleaning up the back room at Memorial Town Hall last Saturday. Decorating of Town Hall will be Saturday 11/22 starting at 9 am. We will "light up" the Town Hall and the gazebo for Light Up Naples, happening on December 13th from 5-8pm. Come to help - many hands helps the dream happen! * The LUN committee meeting is Tuesday 11/18 at Alliet's at 6pm. * Skip is taking reservations and payment for our Holiday Dinner. See info below. * Our final report to the District Grant committee has been accepted and the check for $2000 toward the construction of a wash station at Camp ONSEYAWA will arrive this coming week.

 

Ace of Hearts was played early today. The lucky ticket was #9707 and Alan had it! The Queen of Hearts was close but didn't win the new pot of $10. Good luck next week!

Happy Bills came before our speaker arrived. Bills went to the great clean out of Town Hall, LUN committee progress, reopening of the government and flights back on, LUN committee, bylaws committee, membership committee, the great job NOC has done to support the community during the shut down and always, Naples support for the soccer team in the playoffs, Skip and Judy's improving health, helping with hospice care for a friend's son, John and Trish Lambiase interviewed for a podcast called "A Minute in NY History" about local grape history, our festival and grape pie. 

 

Jo shared that Hospeace House has a talk about conversations that matter at end of life, Tuesday 11/18 from 5:30-7pm at the Elementary school.

 

Shadasia Rogers works for WNY Heroes, Inc. in a program called Pawsitive for Heroes. They provide service dog companions for military Veterans with disabilities of many types. They serve 14 of the 18 counties in Western NY from the headquarters in Buffalo. The dogs are chosen for their traits and are trained to fit the needs of each Veteran. Once the dogs qualify by their health and temperament, they start training for 10 months at a NYS prison. The training program aims for the highest standard of American Working Dogs qualification. They are exposed to many different settings, other dogs, children, crowds, etc. and must stay calm and focused. After training, the Veterans go to training with their dog for 6 months.

Shadasia is a Veteran of 7 years who had a tough time adjusting to life after the military. Smokey has brought her comfort in stressful environments, he is always by her side, reading any sign of discomfort for Shadasia. When he is working he wears his vest and knows to be focused. With the vest off, he's a regular dog. His "career" will last 8-9 years, then Shadasia plans to keep him as her pet. WNY Heroes has additional programs that support Veterans and their families with backpacks for kids, holiday gifts, urgent financial assistance for housing and utilities and scholarships for college. The website is https://WNYHEROES.org

 

The Rotary Moment was several pictures of the crew organizing the LUN decorations and setting aside lots to be donated to the Open Cupboard. We got much done and look forward to decorating this coming Saturday!

 

Jack ended the meeting with the Four Way Test and adjourned at 1:02pm.