Members of the Las Vegas Fremont Rotary Club had one of the busiest Novembers in the history of the Club with a flurry of activities devoted to children. Beginning the first week of November, we gathered together to wrap and pack 203 shoeboxes with schools supplies, clothing, toys and personal hygiene items for the Operation Christmas Child program. These boxes were delivered to the shipping center on November 15th by Projects Chair Rob Goldstein and Pres. Elect Lane Kay, and will be shipped to underprivileged children around the world with delivery in time for the Holiday season.

On November 15th, we all gathered together to serve our 9th annual Thanksgiving feast to 575 awesome kids at Kermit R Booker Sr. Empowerment Elementary School. This event continues to be a Club favorite. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Principal Marcus Mason watched as each child was given a tummy-filling and heart-warming meal by our club members and the Honor Society students from the Alexander Dawson School at Rainbow Mountain.  We also donated more than 50 bags of food items for the weekend backpack program, as well as new coats and sweatshirts. The event concluded with a $5,000 donation from our September "Kid Connection" to the teachers at Booker for classroom projects, along with several bins of much needed school supplies. Principal Mason said their first use of some of the funds will be towards the anti-bullying program recently instituted at Booker. Our relationship with Booker started years ago with burrito lunches with the kids, book donations to the library and a few mini-grants for the teachers. Oh, look how far we have come!! Great job Rotarians!!!!

PP Paul Bell (98-99) captained the November birthday bash at the Agassi Club on November 16, which was also attended by PP Linda Bertuzzi (10-11) and Fundraising Chair Robin Smith. An incredibly excited group of kids enjoyed the usual faire of pizza, juice, cupcakes and ice cream, plus the ever expanding birthday gift bags assembled by Robin and supported by multiple members of our Club.

Finally, the remaining bins of canned food and school supplies collected during the "Kid Connection" soir�e were delivered to Whitney Elementary School this past Tuesday. The canned food was just in time to pack into Thanksgiving baskets being prepared for numerous families struggling to provide meals at home.

We touched a lot of lives and hearts this month and there are many different types of words and sentiments that can be used during Thanksgiving, but, in the end it is the pictures of our "story" that speaker louder than any words can express. 

Safe travels to those who will be on the road and prayers and thanks to all who will be serving our Country during this Holiday.