Co-President Rich Lalley opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Ken Drummet shared several Paul Harris quotes as the thought for the day:
- The greatest gift you can give to someone is your time.
- Living a life of purpose is the truest form of success.
- Happiness lies in the joy of giving.
- We rise by lifting others.
- Success is not measured by wealth, but by the positive impact we have on others.
After the Pledge of Allegiance, Rich shared an update about Barb Tubekis, who had knee surgery last week and is now home from the hospital. Heidi Sibert is stopping by Barb’s house with a card and some brownies – everyone is encouraged to sign the card.
After lunch, Rich shared a few announcements:
- Two Rotary Districts in California have established disaster relief funds to address urgent needs for those impacted by the fires in southern California. Rotarians can learn more and contribute through the links below:
- Operation Warm has also committed to sending 10,000 pairs of shoes to southern California; more information will be forthcoming. We will likely provide some funding to this effort from existing Operation Warm funds already available in our Club Foundation.
Ken Drummet (filling in for Greeter Bill Leske who had to leave early) introduced visiting Rotarian John Baer, President of the North Chicago Club. Johnjoe Farragher, who is President of Hadley, and is here as a guest for the second time. Liz Taylor introduced her guest: Vicki Bittar with Wintrust, manager of two locations (Northbrook and Northfield) and previous member of the Deerfield Rotary Club.
David Grant shared that Steve Fine, President of the Melanoma Education Foundation will be our speaker next week.
David Grant, Ken Drummet, and Tony Kambich shared happy bucks. Robert Mardirossian, zooming in from warm and sunny Florida, shared a story about witty and thought-provoking refrigerator magnets for dig-n-grin.
Rich introduced Iliana Vazuka, Associate Chief of Staff for the Pickles Group. He noted that our Club Foundation has supported the Pickles Group with a grant in the past.
Iliana provided a summary of the organization’s history and programming. Founded four years ago, their mission is to provide free peer-to-peer support and resources for kids and teens impacted by their parent or guardian’s cancer. They serve school-aged kids and teens enrolled in 1st through 12th grade, generally between the ages of 6-18 through in-person and virtual groups that provide information and support. Resources for parents, caregivers, and health professionals are also available. Everything they offer is free of charge. Though they started locally here on the North Shore, they now serve families and children across the country. You can visit the Pickles Group website for more information about everything they do.
Rotarians who would like to donate to the Pickles Group can do so through this link (which offers an online giving platform along with a mailing address – scroll down, it’s at the bottom – for those who prefer to send a check).
The meeting adjourned with our usual recitation of the 4-Way Test.