Rebecca Wolf is the Director of the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District. With a strong background in technology, her strengths include fostering library excellence and innovation. She envisions the Library as a favorite community destination that provides exceptional service, reliable information, and enriching educational and entertainment programs for all ages, with welcoming spaces to read, work and study.
Her accomplishments include directing the redesign of the library website and marketing programs, renovating the Children’s areas at both the main and branch libraries, managing facilities projects such as a new roof and HVAC system at the Winnetka Library, increasing digital resources including the 3M Cloud library, Hoopla digital and Lynda training. Last but not least, she developed the concept and creation of The Studio, a state-of-the-art makerspace located in the Winnetka Library. Website at: Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
The meeting in the Winnetka Community House was opened at 12:15 by President Tom Nash followed by Liz Taylor’s “Thought for the Day” from Warren Buffet. Then the pledge of allegiance was led by John Thomas.
Lunch was served and the meeting itself started about 12:25 with 27 of our 52 members in attendance. There were no guests present nor was there an anniversary or birthday.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Tom noted we will be participating with a booth in the WPD Fall Fest this weekend and repeated his request for volunteers. He also noted World Polio Day and the need for volunteers at the Winnetka train station on 10/24. Mary Nelson, Hadley School CEO announced October is Blindness Awareness Month. She told us to look the statuary in town with appurtenances calling attention to this. 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. And, Joe Nash reminded us of the Little Ricky’s fund raiser this evening for Operation Warm
Barb Tubekis reminded us Oct. 28 is Make a Difference Day and volunteers are needed from 9-Noon at the train station. Ned Meisner said this is the 200th Anniversary of the founding of B’hai. He called our attention to a schedule of events on the tables.
HAPPY BUCKS: Mr. Lalley noted he is happy to see his son now awarded his PhD and can be addressed as Doctor Lalley. Tony Kambich is happy his Caribbean condo is intact but noted St. Maartens is still generally a disaster area and needs help. Robert Mardirossian opted to forgoe his usual kick-in in respect to the dire occurrence of the Cubs losing the evening previously.
SPEAKER NOTES: Introducing our speakers Mike and Mary Mclaughlin, was Barb Tubekis. The two speakers are originally from Jamaica and now run a pro-bono Breadfruit tree operation. Their mission is planting those trees to feed people, create jobs and benefit the environment. They supply individuals and groups with quantities of the best varieties of Breadfruit trees, providing trees for planting in small farms, field margins, agroforests and urban backyards. They also work with commercial orchards on large scale planting. Thus far, most of their effort has been planting breadfruit trees in Haiti and Jamaica.
As part of their food effort, they purchase and distribute Breadfruit and locally produced post-harvest products such as a tasty Breadfruit porridge to schools, orphanages and hospitals. And, through coloring books they educate children about the advantages of planting trees in general and Breadfruit trees specifically
They finished their presentation at 1:20. A Q&A ensued and the meeting ended at 1:30. After Greg Nelson won the lottery, we closed with a heart-warming recital of Rotary’s four-way test.
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.
