New Rotarian Jordan Young gave his Classification Talk on Wednesday and demonstrated his enthusiasm for his career and for Rotary. Jordan is the proprietor of the family-owned Bethlehem Gallery of Floors on Easton Avenue in Bethlehem Township (next to Blue), and his firm specializes in tile, carpeting, laminates and just about every other kind of floor covering. His many clients include three local colleges, several churches and the Hotel Bethlehem, and Jordan indicated they will handle everything from small bathrooms to grand ballrooms. Jordan is a native of the Lehigh Valley (ACCHS and Kutztown University), and before stepping in to run the family business, he lived and worked in Virginia and the Harrisburg area. Jordan, his wife Sally and their two children are a very handsome family. Jordan was introduced by his Rotary sponsor, Paul Ricciardi. Welcome to full Rotary status, Jordan!
PP George Mowrer presented the monthly update on the club's progress in reaching our fund raising goals for the Rotary Foundation. George began his presentation with a moving video about Rotary making it possible for villages in Ghana, West Africa, to get clean drinking water and thereby literally save lives. The video demonstrated exactly why the Foundation's work is critically important in making a difference in the world. The good news is that we have exceeded our funding goal of raising $16,000 this year (we are at about $16,600, or 105%). Our participation goal of 100% (every club member donates some amount) is incrementally moving upward. We still need forty-one Rotarians (out of 105 members) to contribute before the end of the Rotary year on June 30th. If you are one of the forty-one, please consider making a gift to the Foundation, no matter the amount.
Rotary also welcomed Artisan of the Month Veda Sutliff. Veda is a senior at Northampton High School enrolled in the Cosmetology program at BAVTS. She is also taking general education courses at Northampton Community College, and is still mulling over her career plans. Veda was joined by her BAVTS Counselor Heather Chilcote.
Jill Long updated us on Bill Votral, who is still at LVH Muhlenberg recovering from serious surgery. Rotarians signed a get well card, which we will get to Bill this week. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.
ECUADOR EARTHQUAKE NEWS
A ShelterBox response team has traveled to Ecuador to carry out assessments following the catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the northern town of Muisne. The devastation has been huge. Streets are cracked and many buildings have collapsed, leaving people homeless and causing thousands of casualties.
Our District has received a plea directly from 2010-2011 inbound Ecuadorian exchange student, Jose Andres Garcia for assistance. Jose is now an active Rotaractor in his home District 4400. They are collecting funds to address immediate needs of those affected. (www.RotaryEcuador.org)
Our district Youth Exchange Committee is collecting funds to donate to District 4400. If you would like to participate, please send checks made out to RotaryDistrict 7430 YEP and mail them to Janet Kolepp, 4575 Dolores Lane, Bethlehem, PA 18017 by Wednesday, April 27, 2016. We will then wire the funds collected to District 4400.
If you have questions, please email Janet Kolepp at agjanetk@gmail.com or call, 484-241-1252.
Other News
The Bethlehem Rotary Club was well represented on Saturday, April 16th, at the City of Bethlehem's 275th Anniversary Gala at the Hotel Bethlehem. Our club was a sponsor of the event, and several Rotarians were scattered around the ballroom. In fact, there were so many of us there it could have qualified as a make up meeting. Our presence underscored the importance of Rotary as a vital community resource in Bethlehem over the last hundred years.
Congratulations to fellow Rotarian Darlene Heller, who was honored recently in receiving the Governor's Award for Local Government Excellence. Darlene is Director of Planning and Zoning for the City of Bethlehem, and has been instrumental in preparing Bethlehem for its successful redevelopment projects at Steel Stacks, the South Side Greenway and other major improvements to the quality of life in the city. Way to go, Darlene!
Dale Kochard of the Golf Committee reminded us that the annual Rotary Golf Outing sponsored by our club and Bethlehem Morningstar is scheduled for Monday, June 6th at Silver Creek Country Club. This year's beneficiaries will again be the Bridges Foundation of the BAVTS and the projects of the two sponsoring clubs. We need foursomes or individual golfers, but we also need sponsors and prizes. Please consider either becoming a sponsor or donating a gift card (or other prize) that we can include in the raffle. Please see Dale or George Kurtz for details.
Membership continues to be a priority for RI President Ravi Ravindran and our own club. Paul Ricciardi reminded us about our member recruitment event at the Iron Pigs game on May 3rd. Please think about a friend or colleague who has Rotary potential and bring them to the game for fellowship and a night of baseball. We will once again host everyone in the Dugout Suite behind home plate. Contact Paul or Ron Madison for details on purchasing tickets.
Some "Save the Date" reminders:
- May 17th: Million Dollar Journey Campaign wrap up at Valley Forge Sheraton (see PP Ham Malek for details)
- June 3rd: Centennial Gala and Dinner at the Hotel Bethlehem. Invitations are on the way.
- June 6th: Rotary Golf at Silver Creek (see above)
- June 29th: Club Changeover Meeting (installation of officers and directors for 2016-2017 Rotary year)
Our speaker on Wednesday, April 27th, will be Greg Funfgeld, Director of the renowned Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Thanks to Paul Florenz for arranging his visit. I hope you are able to attend.
