Club Meeting Recap--Februrary 13, 2017
Annual Grant Committee Awards Announced
(more details available in from the "read more" link below)
The Grant Committee met recently to review 26 applications from well deserved non-profit agencies in our community. A total of $28,800 in funds were requested from these to support positive results for within their agency and our community.
This year our club was able to support grant requests to non-profits for a total of $9,000. The recipients for the 2017 year include:
ADEC = $500
Church Community Services = $750
Council on Aging = $500
Jr. Achievement & Lemonade Day = $500
LoveWay = $456
Renew = $1,500
Roosevelt STEAM Academy = $400
Ryan's Place = $750
United Cancer Services of Elkhart = $1,000
Wellfield Botanic Gardens = $850
WVPE = $1,000
YWCA North Central Indiana = $800
President Elect, Ann McCuistion, rang the bell calling to order the February 13, 2017 meeting of the Elkhart Rotary Club.
Scott Franko led the invocation and 4-way test. Scott’s prayer was “I am a Rotarian”.
Today’s greeters: Bill Rieth, Dave Kline and Judy Jankowski helped introduce our many guests; followed by Announcements:
Fran Connor is looking for newbies, those that are members 1-2 years to do something special in May.
Fran Connor is also looking for pictures from the past to be played on Powerpoint presentations from March 13 – August 10 to celebrate the 100 Year Anniversary of our club.
Eric Garton - Taste of the Gardens is August 26; committee meeting is March 13th at 11 a.m. Future meetings are being held the 2nd Monday’s of each month preceding Rotary.
Mick Faloon - February 25th Elkhart Civic Theater group will be presenting “The Great American Trailer Park”. The cost is $30.00 and there will be a tour of the theater at 6:00 with the show starting at 7:00.
Ann McCuistion had a new grandson born this week, 7lbs and 13 oz.
Thirsty Thursday is February 16th at 5:05 at The Artisan 505 Main Street.
April 22nd is CR 6 clean up at 8:00.
The Sergeant for the day was Sherm Hanson. One of Sherm’s highlights was that Abraham Lincoln was in The Wrestling Hall of Fame, he was only defeated once. Another highlight was his insights into Valentine’s Day – 25% of greeting cards sold each year are for Valentine’s cards and that when Hallmark started mass producing cards it cost $1 billion dollars.
Judge Jim Rieckhoff spoke about how he became a Rotarian. He came to Elkhart in May of 1971 to work for St. Joseph Valley Bank and was going around visiting different service organization. The President of the bank John Armstrong mentioned to him that he should join Rotary and was inducted in May of 1972. In 1972 the club took on a project for Youth for Christ on Sates Street. In 1975 the club donated Jaws of Life to the police and fire department.
In those days, there was no Orientation so Jim simply tried to have perfect attendance. He once heard a discussion about whether Rotary was a luncheon club or a service club. After hearing that conversation, Jim started becoming more active in committees; they broadened his sense of what Rotary was about. In 1979-1980 he became a board member, at that time the President elect was not in a position to step into the Presidency so after much thought, Jim decided he would accept the position. He went to the annual convention which was being held in Chicago, there he got to meet fascinating people from around the world. The Jim expressed being part of the project at the Elkhart Community Daycare Center on Prairie and Lusher St. as well as Wellfield Botanical Garden. Jim also stated that he enjoyed his experience with Rotary more than he thought was possible and it is better to cross the line sooner than later; become an active member and serve.
Today was a very special day for Rotary, as we got to give back to the community through our Grant Program awards presentation. Chuck Grodnik presented awards in Terri Rickell’s absence.
ADEC, Donna Belusar & Viv Blakeslee, $500, Three (3) partial summer camp scholarships
Church Community Services, Rod Roberson and Michael Downing, $750, Purchase 6 stainless steel tables
Council on Aging, David Toney, $500, Supplement funding for medical trips/attendant care
Jr Achievement & Lemonade Day, Menessah Nelson, $500, Support funding to provide 8 additional classes
LoveWay, Eric Pianowski, $456, Scholarships for 3 riders.
Renew, Darrell Peterson, $1,500, Purchase a 3-Pole 24’ Pump Jack Station.
Roosevelt STEAM Academy, Harold Walt, $400, Tuners and stand cart for music stands.
Ryan’s Place, Aileac Deegan, $750, Purchase die cut machine.
United Cancer Services of Elkhart, Peter Norton, $1,000, Financial aid support-program for families.
Wellfield Botanic Gardens Kelly Tooker, $850, Pre-school program (L’il Sprouts).
WVPE, Anthony Hunt, $1,000, Marketing for summer concert series at WBG.
YWCA of North Central Indiana, Anne Wagner Angel, $800, Assisting women in the Safe Haven Shelter.