Wednesday’s meeting was all about the Rotary International Foundation and the stellar humanitarian work Rotary performs throughout the world. Our own PP George Mowrer walked us through the six areas of the RI Foundation interest—fighting disease; growing local economies; promoting peace; providing clean water; saving mothers and children; and supporting education—and presented a moving slide show illustrating these focus areas in action. Kim Schaffer, Executive Director of the Community Bike Works, brought along the van donated by the Bethlehem Rotary Club and three other area clubs to collect bikes for needy children in our area. She described the van as a “game changer” for the program and the children. PP George encouraged all of us to help meet our club’s goal of $16,000 again this year and ensure 100% participation by club members with a suggested minimum gift of $100 (or whatever level possible—every dollar counts.). Thanks, George and Kim, for an outstanding presentation.
BAVTS Shadows Ines Vazquez-Rivera (Freedom) and Lindsay Faust (Liberty) joined us for lunch and spoke about their Vo-Tech Health Careers program and their professional goals in Veterinary Medicine and Nursing. They were joined by their teacher Jen Stilgenbauer. As always, the students were impressive.
Other News
Please don’t forget our fellowship outing, “Bowl and Bites,” on Thursday, February 18th at Revolutions. We have over twenty Rotarians, spouses and friends attending and there is always room for a few more. Bowling, food, soft drinks and Rotary fellowship for only $20. We can continue to register participants through Wednesday, the 17th.
Another date to save: Monday, June 6th, for the annual Rotary Golf Tournament at Silver Creek CC, co-sponsored by our Club and Bethlehem Morning Star. Our beneficiary again this year will be the BAVTS Bridges Foundation and projects of our respective clubs.
Thanks to all who donated food for “Rotary Relieves Hunger.” We will be taking it to New Bethany Ministries this weekend. If you missed this collection, we have another scheduled this Rotary year. Details to follow.
Our Board noted a very slight downtick in meeting attendance last month. Please remember to sign in each week on your arrival and promptly report any make up meetings you attend.
Personal Notes
Rotarians recognized Gordon Mowrer’s milestone birthday last week with a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.” Your presence is our present every week, Gordon. Congratulations!
Please keep fellow Rotarian and Sergeant at Arms Don Hunter in your thoughts and prayers. Don has been hospitalized at Lehigh Valley—Cedar Crest for the past several days. Thanks to Deb Geiger for circulating get well cards for Don at Wednesday’s meeting. I’m sure Don would appreciate any additional messages of cheer we can send along.
At our upcoming meeting on Wednesday, February 17th, new Rotarian Brennan Purcell will present his classification talk. We look forward to hearing from him. Until then, continue to be a gift to the community.
