Can you believe that our Summer is halfway over? Our “Season of Sheltering at Home” is changing gradually though, as August brings some exciting events to look forward to for the Naples Rotary Club. We have the Walk of Life this coming weekend, the Virtual Camp O. Experience for the Children, and the Play For The Children Golf Tournament coming up later on! More on each of these items in a bit!
President Matt welcomed us to our first meeting for the month of August, and we joined him in saying The Pledge. PP Jack gave The Invocation, and he asked The Lord to prosper us in our labor and service to others. Twenty-six of us gathered today for our online meeting, and we welcomed guest, June Noland, who was today’s speaker. In terms of our goals for the coming week, President Matt announced that The Redwood is “ready to receive us back,” and that the plan is to meet in person next week! We are hoping to stream the video of the meeting on Facebook Live, as well. Many thanks to Jack for meeting with our friends at The Redwood to discuss and set up our return.
School Supplies: Typically, the Naples Rotary has helped with school supplies for those youngsters in need, as we have donated items, at our meetings, leading up to the start of school. Susan and Jane have spearheaded this endeavor in the past. The school reopening plans are in the process of being “figured out” this Fall, due to the Pandemic. We may need to “streamline a bit” in making our donations, as Matt noted. Special items may be required if some home-schooling does take place. Matt said that we would work with the faculty to determine what the specific needs would be. We talked about making monetary donations, as well, and Laurie and Patrice agreed to be the “point persons” who would do the shopping.
Camp Onseyawa: Frank talked about how plans are underway for a “virtual” Camp O experience for the “campers” this Summer. About 40 children are expected to participate in the event. There will be six sessions each day, with two sessions in the evening. The Camp O Board Members will deliver the boxes (of supplies) to the campers beforehand, so the children will have the materials they require. Frank noted that they (the Board Members) are already thinking of how things will be implemented in 2021.
Camp O Golf Tournament: Play For The Children, as it has been called, has been an enjoyable way for the Rotarians of the four-county area to help the children. Naples Rotary will be sending two teams to the Tourney this year! The teams are: Jack, John F., Bo and Pat and Matt, Holly, Tony, and Steve J.! The date for this event is set for Friday, August 14th. “We’re ready to roll!” commented Frank.
Walk of Life-Jodi: The WOL is going to happen, in person, this coming Saturday, August 8th. Jodi noted that over $400 were collected from both last Thursday and Friday evenings from the selling table in front of Rennoldson’s! Thanks, Alex and Patrice, for your help! Volunteers are needed this Thursday and Friday from 4-7, as well. Cock-a-Doodle Poo Tickets, T-shirts, and luminaries will be sold. On August 8th, before taking “your shift” you will be asked to sign in, and have your temperature taken etc. The WOL will take place at the Naples Town Hall. There will be the Cock-a-Doodle Poo, the smell of pulled pork wafting through the air, and the luminaries lit up at night. This all begins at 12:00. We’re not encouraging a huge crowd, so as to keep our ultimate safety in mind, but we can be together. One can use “Google Doc” to connect also. Jodi added that we are at the $6000 mark!
Walk of Life-Sherry: Sherry noted that we are up to the $1,700 mark with the WOL Online Auction. She encouraged us to keep bidding! There certainly is an impressive collection of splendid items! One can make a donation on the Website also.
Today’s special guest and program presenter was June Noland, who was introduced and welcomed by President Matt. He called her “an important resource in our community,” as she has recently taken over the management of the Naples Open Cupboard and Naples Open Closet. Both places, which operate from the same location, are scheduled to reopen August 22nd. The Cupboard and the Closet have been a tremendous source of help to the Naples Community, whom June refers to as “Family.” When prompted to expand on some of the greatest needs at this time, June noted that a bigger building would be ideal, but for now, personal care items are most essential.
The Open Cupboard will still be available on Wednesdays from 11-12. A delivery person will be on hand to help if people were to worry about the safety aspect. “If you need help, call us!” said June. Ways that we can be of help are to contact June, offer to volunteer, and donate money and/or food. She is able to connect with us too, as she provided a phone number, which is 585-369-8142.
With the onset of Covid 19, there have not been as many donations or volunteers, but as things begin to slowly reopen, hopefully, this will change. Andy and Marianna asked about other specific items, and June responded with a detailed list. Clothing, bedding, housewares, small appliances, children’s books, and gently-used toys, all in acceptable condition, are always appreciated, in addition to the personal care products such as soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Brenda asked about to whom a check should be written, and that would be “Naples Open Cupboard”. Robin also noted that checks could be mailed to P.O. Box 236, in care of Trinity Federated Church, and they would see that they would be forwarded to the right source. Laurie also noted that Erin Getner would know the correct PO Box for O/C O/C. June, a very caring woman, admitted that she loved people, and that helping others did her heart good! This lady, who considers Naples one big family, is “living in the service of others”, concluded Matt. We appreciate the time you spent with us today to give us an update on the Closet and the Cupboard.
Happy Bills and Fines: The Walk of Life and the wonderful program were two major reasons for the handsome outpouring of Happy Bills today. It seems we are all looking forward to being together again, and the WOL will be the “first step”! Here are some individual reasons for some Bills and Fines. Jack liked Blanche’s whimsical picture, and he did just fine with the Mulligan Disc Golf. Frank appreciates the Camp O. support. Tony appreciates the Naples Community. Robin had missed some meetings. (Good to have you back!) Skip’s and Judy’s grandson, Grady turned 13! John and Sherry are glad to connect with Facebook Live. We all want to keep Brenda and her family in our thoughts and prayers, as her sister, Joan, went home to be with The Lord recently. Those of us who remember Joan at Naples Elementary, have warm memories of a sweet and kind school nurse, who made all the children, including the staff, feel better in wonderful ways.
Rotary Moment: Skip provided the Rotary Moment for us today. Rotary has been a “family affair” for Skip over the years! Thirty -five years ago, a gentleman by the name of Bruce Clawson invited Skip to become a Rotarian, The tradition has been carried on within the family, as wife, Judy, daughters, Aimee and Carrie, and son-in-law, Billy, are all Rotarians as well! Aimee and Carrie have been involved with the RYLA Program, while Skip and Aimee have been Assistant Governors!
Additional Rotary Moment(s); Jack noted that our Jane recently celebrated a birthday on August 2nd. We will celebrate the August Birthdays and Anniversaries at our next meeting. Susan added that Jane also has a new car! President Matt mentioned that H.S. Principal Nicole Green had shown him a picture of her husband Matt in his early teaching career, sitting with Jane at a Rotary meeting!
That wraps things up for this week. The Walk of Life will certainly be a “ray of light” for us on Saturday! Many of us mentioned how nice it will be to be truly together at next Monday’s meeting. For those of us who are not quite ready to meet in person, it will be great to have you join us on Facebook Live, if you can. Until then, take care, and we’ll see each other on the 10th!
