Rotary

It was great to see everyone after a break! Here is the meeting recap in case you missed it:

1. We got to learn about 2 of our new-ish members, Julia Eagan and Luann Ferguson. We are so happy you are both a part of our club!
2. Happy birthday to Eric Greenwood (Dec 28) and Tom Robinson (Dec 26)! We hope you celebrated to the fullest!
3. We learned about a student-led organization that helps bring technology to seniors during the pandemic. The organization is called TeleHealth Access for Seniors, and has helped bring health care access to seniors and populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. You can donate old devices to them, find out more at: https://www.telehealthforseniors.org/.
4. Tana gave us an update on the Bethanya Project in India–overall they are hanging in there. Only the older kids with access to online capabilities have been able to go to school. She said when she video-chats with them, the kids have smiling faces and are getting by.
5. Congrats to Roy G. on becoming a Paul Harris Fellow! And to Greg Gratz and Gary Whitsell for achieving another notch in their PHF hats!
6. Carol Lee updated us on a collaborative MLK food drive that will happen in January. Rotaractor Mia Harris initiated an event that will support our Woodinville Families, hosted by Woodinville Rotary, Rotaract and Interact together. Each club applied for (and was awarded) a District Grant to go towards the event–more details to come!
7. John Hughes sent a picture of Elaine Cook’s family, who is flying out to NZ today. Wishing her the best in her new chapter!

Wishing you all a bright New Year, and cheers to turning the page to a fresh start!

We had a very cheerful meeting this morning! Here is the recap in case you missed it:

1. We had a very festive and comical gift exchange–thanks to those who participated! This year’s highlights were a mega pack of stress balls, a day calendar about “how to appear smart in a meeting,” a “you’re on mute” coffee mug, a drinking game, a Maltby Cafe Cinnamon roll (which, unfortunately, never made it to the meeting…), and a great outdoors cookbook with marshmallows.
2. November Rotarian of the Month is Luann Ferguson! Luann just joined our club a few months ago and has jumped right in. She’s attended every volunteer event we’ve had, and always helps with a smile. Luann, we are grateful to have you in our club, and thank you for giving your time!
3. December Rotarian of the month is our beloved Carol Lee! Carol has been working tirelessly in ways we don’t always see. She’s advised Rotaract through their rebranding this year, and helped nurture the newly chartered Interact club. Between both of these clubs, she’s been mentoring, advising, and supporting nearly 100 youth! Her role is especially important this year as young adults are seeking to be involved in the community as a result of the pandemic. Thank you for all you do to enrich our club’s youth connections, Carol!
4. Reminder, there is NO MEETING next week. Our next meeting will be Tuesday December 29. Happy Holidays!

Great to see such a large group this morning! Here is a recap of the meeting in case you missed it:

1. Operation Warm Coats is THIS Saturday December 12 at Maywood Elem in Bothell! There are various shifts available for volunteers, please reach out to Sandy if you can help. skallio@microsoft.com/408-396-9537. She or I will send out a final email with info/times after the committee meeting this evening.
2. Holiday Food/Toy Drive is Next Saturday, Dec 19 from 12-3 at Sumerian Brewing. We need 6-7 more volunteers over both 11:45-1:30 and 1:30-3:15 (including delivery to families).
3. We will have a visit from Santa at our Dec 15 zoom meeting! We will be doing a gift exchange (limit $20). You must bring a wrapped gift to my house to drop off, where you will take a wrapped gift to open on Dec 15th. Address is 6020 NE 203rd St, Kenmore 98028. If you cannot come to me, I will gladly come drop and pick up a gift for you!
4. Our speaker was Toby Nixon from the Washington Coalition for Open Government. He informed us about citizen rights to access public records, and how to access parts of our government.
5. Happy dollars included Erv and Keith for a little holiday cheer for the kiddos (visit from Santa’s best Elf, Mr. DeSmet), and from Brittany and Pat for the overwhelming response of community love for the Maltby Cafe!

Dates to make a note of:

• Dec 12: Operation Warm Coats
• Dec 15: Gift exchange by zoom!
• Dec 19: Holiday Food/Toy drive for Woodinville Families
• Dec 22:No Meeting

Great to see you all again this morning—in HD from my new computer! Here is a recap of the meeting in case you missed it:

1. The Birthday Queen revealed we missed a birthday—Todd Hall on 11/25! A VERY happy birthday to you, Todd, and we hope you celebrated to the fullest!

2. Thanksgiving Food Drive was a great success! We collected over 70 meal kits for Thanksgiving, and delivered them directly to the families in need. Thank you to our volunteers and our sponsor (Sumerian Brewing)!

3. Warm Coats is December 12 and we still need a few more volunteers. Text/call/Sandy Kallio at (408) 396-9537, or skallio@microsoft.com to sign up.

4. We will have a visit from Santa at our Dec 15 zoom meeting! We will be doing a gift exchange (limit $20). You must bring a wrapped gift to my house to drop off, where you will take a wrapped gift to open on Dec 15th. Address is 6020 NE 203rd St, Kenmore 98028, send me a text when you are coming (206) 390-9591. If you cannot come to me, I will gladly come drop and pick up a gift for you!

5. Our speakers were from the Public Works Department in Woodinville, and they shared how turf is composed and how the project for the Woodinville soccer fields was designed. It was interesting to hear about all the options available for turf products!