President Robin Smith brought our final meeting of 2013 to order and guided us through our meeting rituals of pledge, inspirational moment, and, appropriate for the season, our song, which was Let it Snow. Visitors included Ashley Gibson, daughter of Steve Gibson and Gary Furlong, guest of Past President Roger Tabor.
Pres. Robin presented current Secretary Teresa Sowers with her President-Elect pin and all of us are grateful for Teresa's acceptance of her important new position. Four Queens' Chef Andrew and our long-time server Tsegaye were called forward and presented with their well-earned Holiday bonus. Drizzle and Steve Gibson presented a banner from their visit to a London Rotary club, which was, oddly, a certificate instead of the cloth banner.
Colleen Malany Braid, Past President Roger Tabor and Asst. Governor/Past President Linda Bertuzzi were selected as our Club's District 5300 Foundation Rotarians of the Year for their service to the Rotary International Foundation through monetary donations and participation in the Polio Plus National Immunization Days, Superbuilds in Mexico, etc. They will be honored at a black-tie optional dinner on January 3rd in Ontario with RI President Ron Burton in attendance. Congratulations and thank you for your service!
Pres. Robin updated the members on donations collected for three in-need families brought to her attention at a recent Birthday Bash. Food, clothing and toys, if funds permit, will be purchased and delivered just before Christmas to help these families out during tough times. Thank you to all the members who pitched in personal funds and time.
Fundraising Chair Carla Smith announced the Big Game Boards will be assigned at our first January meeting and the members will be assigned to teams to facilitate better accountability of the boards. This program nets about $5,000 for our Foundation each year and we need every one to participate. And speaking of our Foundation, Michael Woodfield was presented with a check for $250 from the Foundation to purchase scarves and hats for the Adult Day Services group at Easter Seals who clean up parks and do landscape services within the community, which will keep them warm while they are working.
On a few personal notes - Kevin Mills asked for any donations of warm outer wear such as coats, scarves and hats, to be dropped off at his business and these items will be distributed by his family to the homeless on Christmas Day. Carla Smith gave emotional and heartfelt thanks to her Rotary family for all of the personal support they have provided during some very difficult times.
And, once again, PP Roger Tabor attempted to get out of the traditional birthday hum for his birthday by paying $50 to our Foundation. So in lieu of a "hum", we sang and still collected the dollars! And then we moved on to cross-fines - to Pres. Robin for not remembering Kevin Mills' name, which resulted in a fine to Past President Lane Kay for starting the whole wrong names "thing"; to Kevin for wearing shorts to the meeting in preparation for his vacation in Hawaii; to Drizzle for sending PP Lane to a "changing" room in their home during the Holiday party that turned out to be the cat's bedroom fully furnished with a TV; to PP Lane for his son's acceptance to Baylor and for being the best Lord Voldemort ever; and finally to Michael Woodfield for a Seahawks win on his birthday.
Kim Gradisher was on hand from the Special Olympics Nevada to share information on this local organization. Without any government subsidy, SON relies solely on fundraising and private donations. Special Olympics Nevada opened its doors in 1973. What started originally as a small grass-roots organization has since become a powerful voice for athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout Nevada, dedicated to core values of acceptance, volunteerism and sportsmanship. The group holds 30 events per year which include the Polar Plunge on February 15th at South Point Casino, Bowl for the Gold on August 27th and Over the Edge repelling down Planet Hollywood on October 11th, which sells out every year with an entry fee of $1,000 per person. And, without a doubt, the most notable portion of the presentation came from Anthony, a 25 year old Special Olympics athlete. He has earned gold medals in bowling, golf and basketball and is very proud of his accomplishments. He said " I am growing, learning and getting better every year, having been given confidence and self-esteem.....learning to focus, not just on sports, but in all areas of life. I have been shown I am a winner and I am grateful. I love you all for caring about my future." He gave thanks for all the donors who have shown their caring and support and have become angels to the organization. Because of that support the SON will continue on. There are many opportunities to be involved through volunteering for coaching opportunities, events coordination, fundraising and games management. You can learn more by logging on at Special Olympics Nevada And, there was a bit of chatter about raising dollars to "plunge" our President at the Polar Plunge. Maybe????
And one final note - please note the list of Anniversaries this month - totaling nearly 150 years of Rotary service in our Club!!! Happy Anniversary to everyone.