On this Veteran's Day, we remember all those who have served the United States of America, as we gather as Rotarians of Naples NY. There were 23 of us and one guest, our speaker, Tracy Gossoo. Frank greeted us all, but having forgotten his name tag, tried to improvise with his name written on a napkin tucked in his shirt pocket. It almost worked - LOL! 

 

President Karen started us off with the bell and the Pledge. Jack selected America the Beautiful, singing three verses to include mention of our military. We sounded great! John's invocation asked us to remember the men and women who served our military and their "service above self", some giving the ultimate service. He also reminded us that the greatest goal is peace.

 

Birthdays this month are: Nancy Linehan (on Sunday), Mike Joseph, Greg Bendzlowicz, Sue Dominick and Nardine Paquin. Cindy and Tom celebrated their anniversary.

 

Announcements: Rotary Lite is scheduled for this Wednesday evening but no location was proposed as of this writing. * Light Up Naples (LUN) committee meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, 6 pm at Rose's home. LUN will be 12/14th, 5-8 pm along Main Street. * Everyone available on Saturday 12/7 is welcomed to help decorate the Memorial Town Hall grounds at 10 am. * We are in search of new Santa and Mrs. Claus for LUN this year. Please let Cindy know of any possible ideas. * Our Holiday Dinner Party is on 12/9 at Engine 14. Anyone that wants to participate can bring a $15 gift to exchange and donations to the Open Cupboard are appreciated. More details will follow from Skip.

 

Our speaker tonight was Tracy Gossoo representing the Open Cupboard. She has lived in Naples for 25 years, has recently retired from teaching and is a new board member of the Open Cupboard. She came to tell us about a new project for NOC called "Laundry Love" which will start this month. The project aims to provide the means for homeless and poor people to wash two loads of their laundry per month at no charge. In 2024, the organization added 20 new locations in 6 months, increasing those helped by 500 families/month. Earth Breeze provides the detergent sheets and local groups provide the funds (quarters) for the washers and

dryers. In Naples, the program will be run out of the Naples Laundromat behind Rennoldson's. It is not being run by Naples Open Cupboard, rather NOC has volunteered to handle putting the money in machines. Local churches have already donated. If there is a need, a second night per month will be added.  The first date is the third Wednesday, 11/20 from 6-9 pm. More info about the organization can be found at laundrylove.org.

NOC will have information pamphlets at the Cupboard.

 

The Ace of Hearts started fresh this evening. We had $15. The ticket number was #6072 and the card Patrice picked was Ace of Diamonds.

Happy Bills honored the program. Also Rotary One Summit last Saturday which gathered 45 members from 14 clubs - Jack is glad we sing as many clubs do not. Janet Tenreiro presented Jack with a raffle winning check for $500. Frank was forced to pay a fine for his napkin name tag. Albie says hello- he couldn't be here after falling and breaking ribs. Brenda suggests you check your gas cap if your dash lights up with warning lights! Greg suggested that Laundry Love info should be brought to the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. Other towns and cities would benefit greatly. Nancy celebrated being the oldest Rotarian here as she had a birthday on Sunday. She hopes to live to be 100 and be in a Smucker's jelly ad!

 

Nancy's Rotary Moment was for all the Rotarians who attended the fundraiser for Sutton's on Sunday.

Jack's Rotary Moment was what a great school supporter Uryu is. He was at the soccer playoff game with his classmates, loud and proud of the team.

 

The gathering was closed with the Four Way Test and the ringing of the bell by Karen.