The Bulletin is being sent a second time this week to clarify that Robert Mardirossian made a loving tribute to his father-in-law, Dr. Francis Lavin. Please read the updated Recap below which has the correct information listed in the 'UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENTS.'
The meeting was opened at 12:15 by President Tom Nash. That was followed by Tony Kambich’s “Thought for the Day” which was the Optimist’s Creed. Then the pledge of allegiance was led by Denny Lauer. Lunch was served and the meeting in the Winnetka Community House started about 12:30 with 27 of our 52 members (52%) in attendance. There were 5 guests present: Felicia O’Malley with Liz Taylor and Greg Nelson hosted Lizabeth Lopez, Elizabeth Ury, Stephanie Sarris, and Geno Benvenuti. Also with us was Deputy Fire Chief John Ripka from the Village and our Asst. Dist. Governor, Mary BAK.
UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENTS: Robert Mardirossian reported that his father-in-law, Dr Francis Lavin, had passed away last weekend after a long and fruitful life. Robert said his father-in-law was a physician active in the years before the Salk vaccine and had treated many polio patients. So Robert is making a contribution to Rotary in his father-in-law’s name recognizing Rotary’s work in virtually eliminating polio in the world.
President Tom noted we will be participating with a booth in the WPD Fall Fest this weekend and repeated his request for volunteers. Rich Lalley talked about the kick-off of Operation Warm, the program that gives new winter coats to kids in need. He thanked those who already have contributed and asked for donations from those yet to give. Mr. Lalley noted he is happy to see his son in the final stages of his PhD program with only the oral exams left to do. Tony Kambich is happy his Caribbean condo is intact but noted St. Maartens is still generally a disaster area and needs help.
SPEAKER NOTES: Introducing Lou Dickson, our speaker, was Greg Nelson. Lou is the Director of the Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse. She heads this non-profit agency that promotes recycling housing materials and provides job training for people facing barriers to employment. She discussed the background of her organization with several visual aids explaining how and what ERW does. Basically both the workers and volunteers tear down houses and salvage a high percentage of the material. That material is then sold to the public from their warehouse at 2101 Dempster in Evanston from 10am-5pm Tuesday –Saturday. She finished her presentation at 1:15. A lengthy Q&A ensued and the meeting ended at 1:30. We then closed with a heart-warming recital of Rotary’s four-way test.
Chief Bill Lustig has been on the Northfield police force since 1981 when he was appointed to start the Officer Friendly program to develop better relationships between the police force and Northfield’s youth. He became a Police Officer in 1982 and proceeded to get his Associates Degree from Oakton Community College, his Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University, and his Masters of Science from National Louis University. He graduated from Evanston Township High School in 1978, eventually married and raised his family in Northfield. Almost every resident in Northfield knows and likes Chief Lustig.
Nearly one in five American children live in poverty. More than 400,000 in the Chicago metro area.
For these families, deciding between food, rent, heat and medicine takes priority. Many children have to go without a coat during the cold Chicago winter.
You can help to bring hope,happiness and warmth to children living in need in Chicagoland with the gift of a brand-new winter coat. Your gift will help to improve a child's self-esteem, school attendance and overall wellness.
Our Goal is to Give 500 Children Brand-New Winter Coats Give today at www.operationwarm.org/wnrotary Or send a check payable to WNRCF to Rotary Club of Winnetka-Northfield 620 Lincoln Ave, Winnetka IL 60093
We partner with schools and non-profits serving disadvantaged children, including Inner City Impact in Cicero, Holy Family Ministries school in Chicago, Hope Community Church in Chicago, Open Arms Mission in Antioch, Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook (holiday gift program), Jewish Council for Youth Services in Highwood and Family Promise Chicago North Shore.
This year, we are also partnering with the Chicago Public Library on an innovative program that gives a new coat at the libratry, bringing children into a library of the first time.
Your donation will go to Operation Warm, our partner since 2009. They provide us with brand-new, high-quality, warm winter coats for our children. Operation Warm is a GuideStar Platinum-rated nonprofit and has helped over 2 million children since 1998.
The video below was sent to us last winter as a gesture of THANKS from Holy Family Ministries.
How many children can you help keep warm this winter?
Our Rotary Club's Charitable Foundation is now accepting tax deductible donations for our Hurricane Relief Fund. Donations may be made by credit card here:
Our Foundation's Board will take direction from Rotary Leaders regarding where to direct our funds. Here is a letter received from our represntative on Rotary International's Board of Directors Robb Knuepfer:
Dear District and Zone Leaders:
As you have been reading in the news, severe rainfall has caused historic flooding along the Texas coast, including in Houston, the fourth largest city by population in the United States. Deluged towns in the region are in desperate need of aid as thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes. About 6.8 million people have been affected by the hurricane, which made landfall on 25 August.
Late last week, Presidential Aide Don Mebus and Past RI Director Greg Podd hosted a strategy conference call with governors from Districts 5930, 5840, 5890, 5910 and 6200 in Texas and Louisiana to develop a cohesive response.
A Gulf Coast Disaster Relief Donor Advised Fund (DAF) has been established by Greg Podd and President-Elect Barry Rassin through The Rotary Foundation to collect relief contributions. Don and Greg are working with leaders from the affected districts to create a process for disbursing DAF funds to their respective district foundations or local 501c3 organizations to support local relief efforts.
Updated information about contributing to the Gulf Coast DAF is available on the Rotary website. This page will continue to be updated as needed. Contribution information is also attached to this email.
ShelterBox, Rotary’s partner for disaster relief, is providing tents for use as ‘privacy tents’ to be pitched within the convention centers housing families that have been evacuated.
Please circulate the news about Rotary’s relief efforts to Rotarians in your district. Please direct inquiring Rotarians to the web story on Rotary.org for the most up-to-date information or to contact RI by writing to relief@rotary.org.