This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by giving to the many projects supported by the Rotary International Foundation
This month Rotary International asks us to Serve to Change Lives by supporting efforts to treat and prevent disease in our community. Explore the possibilities with us at our meeting Wednesday at noon at Wick Park or virtually via Zoom.
Congressman Bill Johnson (R-Marietta), U.S. Representative for Ohio’s 6th District, will be the special guest speaker on Wednesday, Dec. 15. Rotarians are encouraged to confirm their attendance, as additional guests are anticipated. Johnson was born and raised on family farms, where he learned early the values of hard work, honesty, and sacrifice. Johnson entered the U.S. Air Force in 1973 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after a distinguished military career of more than 26 years. Following his retirement from military service, Johnson turned to creating and building high technology businesses and also served in the executive leadership team as Chief Information Officer of a global manufacturing company. In 2010, Johnson was elected to his first term to represent the people of Ohio’s 6th Congressional District, which covers much of eastern and southeastern Ohio. He was re-elected to his sixth term in November 2020. Since first taking office, Johnson has been fighting to create jobs in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio, improve services to veterans, and to make our federal government more effective, efficient, and accountable to the American people. Eighteen bills authored by Johnson have been signed into law by presidents of both parties. He currently serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee, is the Co-Chairman of the House Natural Gas Caucus, and a member of the House Shale Caucus. Bill and his wife, LeeAnn, have a son, Nathan. Bill also is the proud parent of three grown children and six grandchildren.
Last Week's Meeting
Two topics addressed during the Dec. 8 meeting clearly demonstrated the impact of Rotarians in the community at large.
Operation Warm co-chair Dave Stillwagon needs at least 10 volunteers for the winter coat distribution on Thursday, Dec. 16 at Harding Elementary School. Rotarians will be needed as early as 8:30 a.m. that day. Email Dave at daves@ccaworks.org to sign up. Lunch will be served to volunteers at noon, thanks to a generous donation by Chik Fil A.
Operation Warm, in which Rotary raises funds to provide new winter coats to city students, is one of RCY’s largest and most successful programs. The kids stay warm, and interacting with them warms Rotarians’ hearts!
President-elect Sharon Letson and member Adam Lee, both of Youngstown Cityscape, shared good news about the opening of Cityscape at Briel’s, 23 S. Belle Vista Ave. Cityscape purchased the greenhouse and florist shop to preserve the last commercial greenhouse in the city. The Briel family was in business there for 96 years until late 2019, when the owners retired.
When Rotarians contribute $1,000 or more to the Annual Program Fund, the Polio Plus Fund or Rotary Foundation’s Humanitarian Grants Program, they are recognized for their generosity by being named a Paul Harris Fellow, which is named for Rotary’s founder. By participating in the Paul Harris Fellow Challenge, you may receive the honor sooner.
Every $20 contribution to the Rotary Foundation from now through Jan. 1, 2022, enters the donor in a drawing for a PHF award. If desired, it can be assigned by the winning Rotarian to a spouse or friend. In return for donations of $100 or more, donors receive double points that can be shared with another Rotarian. All contributions enable Rotary International to address global concerns, including access to safe water, improved sanitation, better health outcomes and promoting peaceful problem-solving.
RCY members received donation forms in the mail recently. Contact District Rotary Foundation Chair Linda Fergason at LFergason@hotmail.com or District Rotary Foundation Grants Chair Dr. Peter Apicella at Peter@salemrad.com for more information.
Time for Reindeer Games!
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Baby, it’s cold outside! But it will be warm and festive at the SOAP Gallery for the annual Rotary Holiday Party. To up the fun quotient, we are bringing back the popular “Who is That Baby?” guessing game.
It works like this – find a baby picture of yourself from holidays past, then get it to Linda Kostka. You can give me your photo at Wednesday’s meeting or scan & email me a copy. The photos will be hung in the gallery with care, and Rotarians will compete to see how many of those baby faces can be matched to grown-up Rotarians. Winner gets a super duper special prize.
I will need the photos NO LATER THAN Monday, December 13 so I can print and compile them. Emailed photos can be sent to Lkostka@mahoninghistory.org. If you have any questions, give me a call at 330-719-2891.
The holiday party will be held on Wednesday, December 15 at the SOAP Gallery. Details are in the Clatter.
Rotary Magazine
By Dr. Barbara Brothers
Three good reasons why you need to take an hour to peruse the December Rotary:
Excellent book recommendations to add to those recommended by Operation Pollination in a recent Clatter (from which I selected one for a grandchild). There are 20 listed in “Look to a Book,” one of which I have read and recommend: The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee. I have selected others from the topics that range from history to the environment and butterflies.
A feature story on “Earth’s Allies” is a must for our environmentalists.
The “distinguished history of the Rotary Conversation, conducted over the past dozen years with notable figures such as Nobel laureates, MacArthur geniuses, renowned scientists, and influential world leaders” led me to lay open the magazine on my coffee table and read and reread words that provoke thought and inspiration and hope (“Our biggest enemy is our own sense of helplessness and hopelessness.”) If we are to create a world of justice and peace, then we must listen to one another.
Beers Cheers & Gears/Beerfest Mashup held Dec. 9 at Modern Methods Brewery in Warren
Red Kettle Drive Photos
Congratulations, Rotarians! Thanks to your generosity of time and treasure, RCY raised $1,142 for the Salvation Army this year. Members contributed $65 at the weekly meeting on Nov. 24, when President Josh announced that Happy Bucks would go to the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Drive. Members bundled up during the chilly, windy Thanksgiving weekend to collect donations at the Giant Eagle supermarket in Poland. Major Paul J. Moore, Salvation Army Mahoning County Area Coordinator, said Rotarians collected $686.91 on Nov. 26 and $389.88 on Nov. 27. Don Foley (pictured here with Bonnie Deutsch Burdman) co-chaired the RCY committee with John Fahnert. Beyond the money, Don says the Red Kettle Drive “helps to usher in the holiday season, spreads good cheer, and really does raise people’s spirits. Even if just fo’ a minute!” Major Moore, Don and John extend their gratitude to all who supported this campaign.
THIS WEEK IN ROTARY HISTORY
December 11, 2008: It was reported that profit for the first Youngstown Rotary Pancake Breakfast was $3,000, with 60% of club members participating. Rand Becker won a most unusual trophy for selling the most tickets.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Birthdays:
Luke Politsky - Dec 16
Anniversaries:
Bonnie Burdman - 1 Year
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL:
Roxanne Bohach
Classification: Education
Sponsor: Mike Latessa
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Reminder:
Youngstown Rotary grants program closes Wednesday 12/15
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