Happy New Year, everyone! Pres. Tom welcomed each of us back with the wishes that he hoped we had all had a restful, refreshing Christmas Break, and that after a two-week hiatus, we were ready to face a new year with optimism. After wishing us a happy and healthy 2020, Tom had us rise to join him in saying The Pledge. Jack chose God Bless America to lead us in song, and Susan gave The Invocation. She asked The Lord for His Blessing, as we aspire to serve others in the New Year.

Tom asked Laurie to announce today's guests. Along with the 29 members in attendance, there were five guests who joined us. Nardine Paquin, who will soon be inducted as a new member, when sponsor, Adam is available, Patty, wife of Steve J., Chip Weismiller, a frequent visitor, Paul Miller, and Christy Richards, today's program presenter, graced our meeting with their presence!

A hearty round of "Congratulations" was sung for our special January dates. Celebrating their Anniversary on the 11th are Bruce M. and Sandy. The January Birthdays observed were Laurie (2nd), Steve J. (3rd), Bill S. (16th), Skip (22nd), and Clyde (30th). We wish everyone a wonderful year ahead!

With the start of the New Year, Tom reminded us that dues are due! He gave us an overview of the Club Calendar for the month of January. Today is the Ontario County Suicide Prevention Coalition. Next week will be the Naples Angels, along with the induction of three new members, the following week will be the Bill Cook Foundation, and the last Monday of the month will feature the club just "connecting" at Hollerhorn!

Tom introduced Christy Richards, today's program presenter. Christy represents the Ontario County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and in her talk, she shared some sobering facts. It is ironic that in our Rotary year of becoming more "connected", Christy said that one of the reasons for suicide is that a person's "feeling of being connected is lost". A sobering fact is that there are more suicides than homicides in the U.S. Suicide seems to be prevalent among males. Research is looking into its causes, and though there are multiple reasons, crises and heredity are factors. If there is a concern, a 9-1-1 call will yield help immediately, according to Christy, and that help is available daily! There is a tri-fold program designed to provide help to those at risk, and it is Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention. Other avenues of assistance are found through the Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, mental health, tool kits, movies, and talk(s). Suicide has a "ripple effect", we learned, as it can affect  125 people when it happens. It is important to ask a person if he/she is contemplating such an act if we suspect he/she might be in such a vulnerable position, we were told. Promoting resilience is the goal, ( of O.C.S.P.C.), and this is where the school comes in. Matt rose to share a few thoughts on the school connection at Naples, as well. After Christy completed her talk, Pres. Tom shared some experiences and personal thoughts of his own regarding this topic. After hearing his story, as well as what we gleaned from Christy's presentation, we can all certainly agree that it is SO important to be connected!

We had just about everyone put in a Happy Bill for today's program. Other Happy Bills came from Susan, whose granddaughter has done very well in college, Brenda, who enjoyed seeing The Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont, Matt, who appreciates Tom, Woody, who is looking forward to 2020, and Bo, who hopes the "new" Badge Case set-up will be more "user-friendly"! Missed Meetings were Robin, Steve J., Frank, Brenda, and Bruce M. Missing Badges were Frank and Jamie. John claimed it was Sherry's phone that rang during the meeting. Laurie paid a Fine for her recent birthday. Pres. Tom said that he appreciated us all, (as we do him!)

Fifty-Fifty: The Kitty was at $17. Paul M. was asked to pick the winning ticket which belonged to Brenda. It was #446. Brenda drew the Ten of Diamonds.

Win-Win: No one could come up with a Win-Win on the spur of the moment, so we all chipped in a buck.

Rotary Moment: Pres. Tom felt that today's connection was a Rotary Moment in itself! He reminded us to "be vigilant"!

Here's hoping that 2020 will hold abundant blessings for each of us!