There I sat, balancing my tablet upon my knee, while taking notes, negotiating the curves and hills on the Mass Pike, as we traveled to Boston to take Our Kids back to catch their flight to Jordan the following day. Yes, this was my "participation" in Monday's Noon Meeting via Zoom, and I hoped and prayed that I'd be able to "catch" all the important parts of the meeting, so as to put together My Weekly Report! Many thanks to IPP John for sending me the link so I could review it, and "fill in" all the parts that I had missed! So here goes...

Jack had been the Greeter for today, as Members gathered at The Redwood for their Weekly Meeting. Marty gave The Invocation, asking that we continue to put forth our best efforts in serving others, and he coupled that thought with the Four-Way Test, using that motto as a reminder to us to be honest and caring towards others. Jack chose The Star-Spangled Banner as the patriotic song for today. Sincere thanks go to Rose, who was willing to take attendance. Hopefully, there was a nice turnout of Members this noon. We welcomed familiar Guests, Sharon and Chip, and Jay Garret Larson and Todd from Family Promise of Ontario County, who were today's Guest Speakers.

A plethora of announcements came next, and included with these were some highlights from this morning's Board Meeting. As the month of September looms before us, there will be some local events to which we may look forward. There will be a Community Parade, and possibly we will be able to participate, using our Club Banner. September 9th is the day of the "Street Dance", and Naples NY Rotary plans to set up a Booth on Lake Niagara Lane to help celebrate. Munchies quilts, and Banners will be available for sale! The Steak Dinner will be on September 11th. Let Skip know if you are planning to attend. The District Golf Tournament is September 8th. It sounds like Naples Rotary plans to have a great representation! There is a Fall Festival coming up, the second weekend of September. Rose wondered if we could help them set up at the Ingraham Farm and consider this a Service Project. World Polio Day will be October 24th, and we will gather at Brew and Brats for its observance. It will be like a Meet and Greet, with food sign-up. Special Guests, Dave Hannon and Janet Tenreiro will be there as well! Light Up Naples is scheduled for December 9th. See Sherry or Rose if you would like to be involved. 

Here are some items that were gleaned from today's Board Meeting. We have two potential New Members who will be considered for Membership. They are David Dial and Liz Bailey. Both candidates have attended recent Meetings, and their applications reflect their desire to be involved in the service of others through Naples NY Rotary. The American Legion has requested help with the purchase of uniforms. We will invite them to come and do a Program for us, so that we can learn more about them and their needs. We had talked about getting Rotary T-Shirts (and hats). If enough people are interested, Sherry will place a mass order, including different styles and colors. The Doc and Katy Service Award will be given at the Steak Dinner, as will the Robert Allen Award. The Paul Harris Award will be given in the Spring.

Looking ahead, there will be no meeting on September 4th because of Labor Day. However, the week before, on August 28th, we have an Evening Meeting, and we will hear from Parker Smith, representing RYLA. That evening, we will also have "Challenge Night" too! Grape Fest T-Shirts will be sold also.

Our Rotary Exchange Student, Giovanna, was with us today! She is attending Naples High School this year, and she says that she loves "our little city", according to Carrie. Both Giovanna's parents are Rotarians, as a matter of fact! Welcome to Naples, Giovanna!

Today's Program was about the Family Promise of Ontario County, and Pres. Liz introduced our Speaker, Jay Garret Larson. We've often heard the expression, "Home is where the heart is.", but when a family doesn't have a home to call their own, this can present a very different scenario for them instead. This is where an organization like Family Promise (of Ontario County) can step in, and help displaced families attain self-sufficiency. FP aims to help families that have experienced hardships to reach further independence by offering (temporary) shelter, including various other physical needs, as well. "Homelessness can truly affect children, and its effect can be very impactful", noted Jay, and with his having been a teacher, and being involved in Summer Camp, he felt the need to become involved, and to "do good". "Since Covid, there has been a housing crisis, as well", Jay pointed out, and "We look through the lens of trauma."

Family Promise began in New Jersey in 1986, and it began as a shelter through churches. Volunteers were brought on board to (especially) help kids to cope. By 2016, Family Promise had grown to 200 facilities around the country! Family Promise of Ontario County began in September of 2018. Working in the vicinity of Canandaigua and Geneva, churches around the county rallied to offer their help. In March of 2020, at the height of Covid, finding stable housing for some families presented a challenge. Security, safety, and shelter were major concerns, yet money from United Way helped. Living arrangements weren't ideal, but the families were safe.

Next, the Executive Director, Todd, spoke, and he thanked Rotary for all that we do. His own church became involved in this mission, and he noted how "eye-opening" it was to consider the number of homeless people in our region. he reiterated that FP has the goal of helping families to become economically stable. He explained that Family Promise is all about "hand up", not "hand out"! He thanked us for our time, and then he entertained a few questions from the Membership which followed.

Ace of Hearts: The Kitty was up to $167 today. Ticket # 824177 was selected, and I think that it was that of Jo. Jo drew the Nine of Clubs from the pack.

Rotary Moment: From what I could gather, via Zoom, I believe it was Sharon who provided the Rotary Moment for today. In thinking about Giovanna, she shared her experience in having Exchange Student, Amy, from New Zealand, spend time with her family. She recollected what a memorable time that it had been for everyone.

Today's Happy Bills revolved around the Program, and our delight in having Giovanna with us. We were pleased with the success of Camp O. this year, in its new location. The Set-Up had gone well also. Charlie Grove is on his way to Clarkson University! Micah and Leandra are expecting their third little boy!! (Congratulations!) We're going to have some great teams for the District Golf Tourney! Let's go, Naples NY Rotary!!

Naples NY Rotary is a group of people who are here to help! Pres. Liz concluded our Meeting with the Four-Way Test, and these words: "Hope lies in dreams, dare to make that a reality!" Imagination and courage will do it!