Hello, everyone! Happy Holidays to each of you and your families! This week's missive may have a few "missing parts", and I apologize for that. Bo and I were on Zoom yesterday, and my computer decided to be a bit "temperamental" at the very start of the Meeting, thus, I guess I'll have to "fudge" the beginning of the Noon Gathering! I trust President John gave everyone a warm welcome after folks were equally greeted by one of our fellow Members. The Blessing was, no doubt, fervent, and perfect for the beginning of Christmas Week! Jack probably led the group in the singing of a perfectly patriotic song, as well.

It must have been a fairly good turnout of Members who came to yesterday's gathering, and I don't know if there were any guests besides Kelly. Perhaps Sharon, "one of our regulars", was there? The Program was brought to us by Kelly VandeSande, Elementary School Nurse, who talked about Operation Santa. The "Rotary Moment" was replaced by "One More Thing" at Meeting's end.

Pres. John then shared a few announcements with everyone. There had been a Board Meeting prior to the Noon Meeting. Here are some highlights from a very busy morning, not necessarily in the order in which they occurred.

• We are going to bring back the Win-Win Basket, which will be passed around the room for anyone who wishes to make a donation.
• All clubs in District 7120 have been encouraged to take part in the EAC (Environmental Action Committee) 64 Points of Green. In response to this, our club will do something on a more local level.
• The date for the Oratorical Contest Submissions is January 15th.
• We have 3 or 4 Members who are interested in taking the Grant Management Seminar, which is slated for three different dates. Those persons can choose which date they would like attend.
• There will be an opportunity to host Governors-Elect at a Program, (encouraged by Milt Matthews), which will take place January 3rd-January 7th. This Hospitality Program would be similar to a Friendship Exchange.
• The Board Members discussed the idea of helping to defray the cost of attending the International Convention when it is scheduled for North America, which happens on average every 4 years. $500 shall be budgeted annually to "stockpile."
• The Board approved the motion that we donate at the Silver Level ($750) for the 2023 district conference's circus acts.
• We will make a donation to the Naples Fire Department in light of all the support they have been to the Naples NY Rotary, especially during Light Up Naples. We will deliver that donation to them at their January Board Meeting.

From The Mailbag, John read a Thank You Note from Jack and Sharon expressing their appreciation for our generosity to the Naples Angels.

"December is Disease Awareness and Prevention Month," John told us. He prompted us to be a bit reflective when he asked if anyone had an idea as to how many people inhabit the earth. There are over 8 million, and there are about 5 percent of those people who don't have access to healthcare, clean water, or pre-natal care. With those statistics in mind, one can understand why Rotary is so passionate about improving the lives of others, right?

Rotary 101: John noted that we are part of the Area Three Cluster, consisting of the Rotary Clubs of Bath, Naples, Prattsburgh, and Wayland. Naples has the largest population in this Cluster!

Here are a few upcoming dates. The LUN Committee will meet at 3:00 PM on January 2nd to evaluate how things went this year. There will be a Rotary Lite Meeting at Engine 14 at 6M on January 5th. The Strategic Planning Committee will convene at 1:15 PM on January 23rd after the Regular Meeting. The District Training Assembly will be April 22nd in Bath, and the District Conference, (Circus Style), will be held in Bloomfield on May 6th.

Today's Program couldn't have been more appropriate, as we welcomed Naples Elementary School Nurse, Kelly VandeSande, who talked about Operation Santa. This year marks the ninth year that Kelly has been the Advisor for Operation Santa!

O.S. has been around for a number of years, having been started by Naples teacher, Pauline Moscato, who saw a need within our community, and proceeded to take action. The Program has blossomed over the years to include many families within the Naples School District. "It's a beautiful thing!" remarked Kelly, as she began her talk.

"This was a very successful year!" In recent years, with the Pandemic going on, O.S. was restricted, so they gave Wal-Mart Gift Cards to local families in need. However, this year, the O.S. Team was able to shop for 41 families, including between 110-115 kids! In the past, there have been more families, but Kelly told us that some people have chosen to adopt a family", and that changed the figures, of course. "This too, was a wonderful outreach!" noted Kelly. "Donations were solid, including those made online, everything went well, and the gifts were ready to go by 9:45!" Jack and his crew had organized the routes and the Elves who made the deliveries, thus helping to make everything flow smoothly.

Kelly shared a poignant story of a gentleman who wanted to help, and who was talked into adopting a family, which turned out so well! This year, Gift Cards to the Apothecary will be given to the Senior Citizens around Valentine's Day. The students who participate in O.S. can be counted on to remain confidential, and that shows the fine caliber of students at NCS!

Superintendent Kevin Swartz thanked Kelly for all that she and her team have done. We join Kevin in expressing our thanks to them for thinking of others!

Speaking of Kevin, his Ticket, #3906, was selected today. Kevin didn't get the Ace of Hearts, so that $30 will roll over until next time!

"One More Thing": John showed us a short video from District 6780, entitled "Why Rotary?" A brief history of Rotary was given, culminating with the thought that everything we do should be done with The Four-Way Test in mind. We were reminded that by joining other leaders, exchanging ideas, and taking action, we can be "magnets for leadership", who lend a hand to those in need!

The Happy Bills centered around many things for which we are thankful. Operation Santa and Light Up Naples were two top contenders! 

Speaking of doing something special for our very youngest community members, another outreach that Naples NY Rotary does each year is our Annual Santa Book Delivery to our young friends in Grades UPK to Sixth! Partnering with the Budding Readers Program, (which donates exceptional books for UPK and K), the Naples Rotarygives wonderful books to all the students in the Elementary School. It is so heartwarming to see the level of excitement and the glow in the children's faces when they open their gift of a book that they can each keep for their very own! Thank you, Santa Bo, and Elves Laurie and Shanna for your help!

This brings this week's Newsletter to a close. John concluded the Meeting with the RWE words, "Don't be pushed by your problems, but be led by your dreams!" Our next Gathering will be January 9th at Noon. I want to wish everyone a joyous Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy New Year! See you in 2023!