NEXT MEETING: January 29, 2017

The Girls Inc. Experience

Tiffany Harris, Executive Director of Girls Incorporated of West Contra Costa County (Girls Inc.), will discuss the Girls Inc. experience.  Girls Inc. of WCCC is a nonprofit organization that serves girls between the ages of 6-18 living in the Richmond and West County community. Girls Inc.’s mission is to inspire girls to be “strong, smart, and bold.” Our purpose is to respond to the complex and diverse needs underserved girls contend with through the provision of programming that affirms their self-worth, empowers them to assert their autonomy and promotes their self-actualization.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• We are sad to report that Jim Young passed away early Sunday morning. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family. As anyone who’s been in the Rotary for more than a brief time knows, Jim was an integral part of Rotary activities: always ready to contribute, to take the lead, or simply lend a hand. We will dearly miss him.
  Jim’s memorial service will be this Saturday, January 30th at 1:00 pm, followed by light finger food reception. Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Blvd., Kensington.
• (Oh!) Henry Moe announced the annual Rotary-Salesian Crab (and Pasta) Feed is fast approaching on Saturday, February 6, at 6:00 pm. Tickets are $45. Contact Erle Brown or Henry Moe to buy a ticket or a table of tickets. Download Crab Feed flyer.
• David Brown bought 10 tickets to the Crab Feed but cannot attend. Please contact him if you have an idea for a charitable/worthy group to which he can donate them.
• Herb Cole encouraged members to join him in the Monterrey, Mexico wheel chair project from Mach 30 to April 3, 2016. More information here.
• Asst. Governor (Area-8) Alan Baer reminded us to sign up for the April 1-3, 2016, District Conference for the reduced price of $79 (increases to $99 thereafter). Sign up/log in here.
• Alan Baer also announced that as of January 13, 2016, India has been polio-free for five years. WHO is using the lessons learned with India and Nigeria to eradicate polio in the remaining two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Learn more.
• On January 29, the Richmond Museum Association is celebrating the incorporation of the City of Richmond with a fundraising dinner for the Association and for the SS Red Oak Victory. Details.

MEETING OF January 22, 2016

Welcome

President Alan Blavins called the meeting to order and asked Foundation Chair Connie Tritt to lead us in the Pledge. Alan asked for silent prayers for peace, hope, and for Jim Young. Sergeant-at-Arms Sid Chauvin offered a quote for the day: “Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.”

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

Herb Cole and Mike Winters introduced their guest Jim Findley.
Joshua Genser brought Simon Ellis and Darlene Drapkin.

Recognitions and Happy and Sad Dollars

• Ambrose announced George Egan’s (January 22) and David Brown’s (January 21) birthdays and Josh Surowitz’s 8^th anniversary as a Richmond Rotarian.
• Josh Genser had happy dollars because he had a great time visiting Heather Culp and Barry Nel in Washington, D.C. and sad dollars because Elaina’s brother in law passed away.
• Dan Tanita, DDS was happy because he just treated 8 children at the new Coronado Elementary Clinic and for the WCUSD ribbon cutting for the free health and dental care project. Rotary helped make this project happen. Read the story on ABC7 News.
• Shana Bagley had happy dollars because although she didn’t win the big lottery, she was rich; rich with great friends in Rotary. Inspired by a fellow member and the uncertainty of our time on Earth, please don’t wait to tell your friends and family how much you love them.
• Herb Cole was sad because Connie Tritt was eating at the “vegetarian table.” He had “interesting dollars” because he fondly remembered that at every Rotary-Salesian Crab Feed, Ralph Hill would share memories of his time on and off the Liberty ship.
• Joe Bagley had sad dollars because he knows too much about cancer.
• Hank Covell said that there are always reasons to be happy (thanks Hank!), he was happy because he could still remember when he started kindergarten just a few years ago at Grant School.
• Sid Chauvin had similar happiness for remembering the days when he was a crossing guard.
• Crustacean king Henry Moe was super happy because the Salesian Crab Feed had over 650 attendees over two nights and the crab was EXCELLENT!
• Darlene Drapkin had happy dollars because it was so nice to be with people older than she is and to be with people that care so much about Richmond.

PROGRAM

Sharing Abundance with People in Need: the White Pony Express Story

Speaker Program Coordinator Stacey Street introduced Erica Brooks of the White Pony Express who gave a detailed and informative presentation about an amazing all-volunteer organization recovers over 2 million pounds of fresh food from about 100 donors and distributes it to about 60,000 needy people within less than 24 hours of receipt.

About 10% of the population of Contra Costa lives below the poverty line ($11,770 for individuals, $24,250 for a family of 4). Founder, Dr. Carol Weyland Conner was inspired to find a way to take the abundant fresh food from grocery stores, restaurants, and farmer’s markets that was thrown away and eliminate hunger. Her idea has blossomed into an amazingly successful program where they now have donated refrigerators, freezers, delivery vans and work hand in hand with over 50 local non-profit service groups (such as Salvation Army, Bay Area Rescue Mission, GRIP). The White Pony Express provides fresh food, toys, clothing, and love.

For more information, to volunteer, or donate, please visit http://www.whiteponyexpress.org

 

- Shana Bagley Howe, Rotating Scribette