Thirty-two members attended our November 20 meeting. No guests were in attendance.
There is a change in speakers for our next meeting on December 4th. Courtesy of Sam Badger we will hear from Jim Homan, a 31-year Marine vet who was a bombardier navigator in the Viet Nam war and a contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan. We received a nice thank you from A Just Harvest for the coats they received from our club through Operation Warm. You might remember that our club received an appeal for warm clothing and our club raised sufficient funds to supply 34 winter coats. They will be given to new refugees from the Congo. Keith Reed announced that he is looking for a new home for used clothing that is clean and in good condition. Several members suggested some worthwhile organizations.
Happy Buck$ this week came from the following: Sam Badger, for the accolades and special recognition on Veterans Day. Dave Gotaas, in honor of his parents 67th wedding anniversary as well as his own 30th anniversary. Barb Tubekis, for the success in the Cards for Kids project where donated sports collectors cards were packaged and given to children and veterans in hospitals. David Birkenstein, for Northwestern’s stunning football upset of Notre Dame. And finally, by Heidi Sibert, for her company’s successful fundraiser that supported Wounded Warriors.
The main part of the meeting was spent with members putting together bags of food for A Just Harvest located in the East Rogers Park area on Chicago’s far north side. The project was organized by Barb Tubekis and Kristen Leahy of our Community Service Committee. Some of the non-perishable food was donated and the rest was purchased with special monetary donations to this project by the membership. Barb first gave the club a brief history of the organization that was started at the Jonquil Hotel. Good News Partners primary mission is to reduce homelessness, especially in the Rogers Park area of Chicago by providing temporary housing and helping people obtain and maintain their own residences. A Just Harvest’s mission is to reduce hunger via daily feeding programs and a food pantry. It was formerly a soup kitchen run by GNP.
Please find a substitute if you are unable to fulfill your assignment; Just call or e-mail a fellow member and ask him/her to sub. Tom Evans - tom.evans527@gmail.com- who chairs the service committee, will confirm assignments. Sgt. at arms helps set up and store our stuff, please come 15 minutes early and be prepared to stay a few minutes after the meeting; Greeter greets and announces names of visiting Rotarians and guests; Thought of the Day can be spontaneous or read from a script; Dig 'n Grin can make us laugh or think seriously.
Your contribution will help us provide new winter coats to needy children in Chicago and on the North Shore.
Again this year, we ill be bringing the happiness and warmth of new Operation Warm winter coats to children living in need in the Chicago metro area. In 2013, our club provided new coats to 780 children. This year, our plans are to provide coats to children served by several local organizations:
Inner City Impact who serve youth from low income families in Cicero and Chicago.
When children have a new coat, their self-esteem gets a boost and they are empowered to attend school and partake in outdoor play on cold winter days. This simple and inexpensive gift does so much for a child.
Only through the generosity of our members and their network can we accomplish our goal for providing new coats to 700 or more area children. Please donate generously; each $20 gift allows another child to receive the gift of warmth.
You may donate online via PayPal or by check made payable to Winnetka Northfield Rotary Charitable Foundation (WNRCF) sent to 620 Lincoln Avenue, Winnetka IL 60093.
Again this year, we ill be bringing the happiness and warmth of new