Posted by Yvette Hohler
President Michael B. opened today's meeting by welcoming 13 club members and guest speaker Ann Marie Hein, volunteer fundraising coordinator for Give Kids Hope.
 
Following Dennis' invocation, our President made a number of announcements.  He began by reminding us of the importance of February in the Rotary calendar: it's designated "World Understanding Month" and includes the anniversary of the 1st Rotary meeting (2/23/1905), celebrated as World Understanding and Peace Day.  We are reminded to pause, plan, and promote the 4th Avenue of Service, Rotary's continued quest for goodwill, peace, and understanding among the world's people.  This is a time to promote humanitarian service and support international projects such as the Short Term Exchange Program, which will soon involve a local student's travel abroad this summer. Michael reminded us that we've already received a District Grant (Thank You, Nancy!), helping fund activities at the Chandler Estate Park. We should now consider applying for a future Global Grant. However, this will require a member or members to attend a training seminar.  Interested?
 
Club member John Perkins has been nominated by Islip Rotary for its 2022 Community Service Award for his charity efforts. Congratulations, John!  We have been invited to attend the dinner at which John will be honored.  The event will take place at Captain Bill's Bayview House in Bay Shore on  March 24th          from 6-10 PM.  Our club will pay 1/2 the cost of attendance per Rotarian at this event (Guests of a Rotarian will pay full price).  Contact our President or Islip Rotary directly for more information.
 
Michael next reminded our members about the Hope Children's Fund's "Passion for Education Gala", which will take place on Saturday, March 11th, in the Northampton Ballroom at The Inn and Spa at East Wind in Wading River from 6-11 PM.  Our club has agreed to sponsor a table (for 10 people). This investment will include a full page club ad in the Gala Journal.  The per person cost of attendance will be $199 and will include an evening of live music by X-Session, a cocktail hour, a plated dinner, raffles, and a silent auction.  If you are interested in attending, the club will pay 1/2 the price of a ticket per Rotarian.  (All guests of Rotarians will pay full price.) This annual event, in which our club has participated since its inception, supports the education of the 90 youngsters residing in the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya.  RSVP's can be made to HCFgala@gmail.com  or to Hope Children's Fund, P.O. Box 1345, East Northport, NY 11731.
 
 
Brian Hoerger invites us to join him at the Friends of the Pantry Food & Personal Care Items Drive this Sunday, February 12th, 9 AM to noon, at The Open Cupboard, 110 Hawkins St. in Port. Donations of every kind are welcome.  Please share this information with your family and friends on your Face Book page.
 
Dennis reminds us that next Tuesday will be an Open Cupboard Collection Day.  Please continue to be generous.
 
Rotary has established 2 temporary funds to support immediate relief efforts in Pakistan and Ukraine and will be distributing its financial resources in those areas of the world. In Pakistan, a severe monsoon season has caused devastating floods, affecting millions of people, displacing people and destroying crops.  In Ukraine, the ongoing war continues the humanitarian crisis there. 
 
Applications are open for 2024 Peace Fellowships.  Each year, Rotary awards fully-funded fellowships for peacebuilders from diverse backgrounds to study at one of Rotary's peace centers located at premier universities around the world. Fifty peace fellows will be selected this year to study in the RI Master's Degree programs and forty fellows will be able to earn a professional development certificate.  Clubs are invited to seek and partner with candidates. Learn more about these fellowships on the RI website.
 
Our Golf Outing date is drawing near:  Saturday March 4th.  Rebecca gave out posters and brochures to advertise our event in the community and beyond.  We're reminded that the price of participation will go up on February 18th.  We still need baskets, sponsorships, and volunteers, among other things.  How will you be helping out?
 
Rebecca will soon be sending out our Super Bowl Pool information link soon.  There will be 100 boxes for sale at $30 per box.  How many boxes will you invest in?
 
Do you need to update your information in our Harbor Light publication?  Contact Kim.
 
After the announcements, Michael introduced Ann Marie Hein, volunteer fundraising coordinator for Give Kids Hope, a local non-profit that provides assistance to local children and families in need.  Ann Marie took the day off from her work with the courts in Riverhead in order to tell us about Give Kids Hope, which is currently housed in the Thrift Store & Donation Center at 1506 Main St., Port Jefferson- across the street from Tara's.  This organization was founded by Mellissa Paulson, who ran it originally out of her house, where she collected and gave out donations of food and clothing to the needy.  Give Kids Hope now provides holiday assistance and emergency requests for essentials as well.  It supports a family shelter in Brentwood in providing essentials and sponsoring programs for their residents.  Believing that no child should be hungry or in need of appropriate clothing, this organization, run entirely by volunteers, sees to it that all proceeds from their thrift store and fundraising efforts go directly to assistance and programs.  Give Kids Hope is looking for local and corporate sponsorship to help reach their fundraising goals.  In an effort to increase pantry assistance and enhance their programs and services, the volunteers will host a Basket Raffle Fundraiser on Saturday, April 29th, at the Coram Fire Department, located at 303 Middle Country Rd. in Coram.  They accept cash donations as well as donations of gift cards, goods, or services and are now collecting especially candy, toys, etc. for their upcoming "spring fling".
Unfortunately, Give Kids Hope will soon have to move its location and find a new home, as the building it's in now will be sold, demolished, and replaced by something else.  The pantry remains Ann Marie's focus.  This grass roots charity, which has grown a lot since its humble beginning, has also seen  growth in the number of consistent volunteers; and while it seeks a new home in the area, it is also continually looking to grow community involvement.
 
 
 
 
One of Al's weekly raffle tickets won him the opportunity to find the Ace of Spades and win our pot of $260.  
Alas, he picked the Queen of Diamonds.  And so, the pot continues to grow.  Will you win it next week?  Come to next week's meeting and find out!  :)
 
Among happy dollars collected, Rebecca looks forward to sharing with us in the near future her life-changing trip to Malawi.  And a few sad $ were collected in Judi's memory.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                   
 
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****NEXT WEEK, Tues., Feb. 14th:  luncheon with our honored guest, Comsewogue's Most Motivated Student.  This is also an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY.
 
Tues., Feb. 21st: Club Assembly.
Tues., Feb. 28th: Evening Meeting hosted by Marianne Carrano Deszcz, 1790 N. Country Rd., Wading River (Please RSVP to marianne@theallaboard.com.)
 
Committee Meetings (all members invited to attend):
Tues., 2/14: Golf Committee Zoom meeting, 8:30 AM, with Michael Sceiford.
Tues., 2/21: Golf Committee Zoom meeting, 8:30 AM, with Michael Sceiford.
Fri., 2/24:  Board Meeting by Zoom, 8:00 AM, Michael Burghardt.
Fri., 2/28: Golf Committee Zoom meeting, 8:30 AM. Michael Sceiford.
 
                              :)
 
 
 
 
 
 
                          HERE'S TO A HAPPY, HEALTHY WEEK!
                                                     CHEERS!
 
Remember: If a member would like to send out an email to the membership, use the following email address:  pjrotaryclubmembers@googlegroups.com.
 
Bob Huttemeyer is still seeking volunteers willing to host an evening meeting (5:30 PM-7 PM) at a member's home or place of business.  Contact Bob if you'd like to host an upcoming Rotary evening social gathering.
 
 
Rebecca invites us to get acquainted with HOMETOWNHOPEPORTJEFFERSON.ORG. Hometown Hope provides resources and support in times of need to all residents of the Village by promoting a movement of spreading kindness. It "strives to uplift through wellness, resilience, and compassionate understanding in our community."  Among the services/goods it will provide: meal boxes; home deliveries; and the like for those suffering illness, loss, etc., as well as help for healthcare practitioners during the pandemic. You can also sponsor a family. 
Want to volunteer? Contact hometownhopepj@gmail.com .
 
***If you have ideas or items to be discussed at our next meeting, let Michael B. know.  And if you'd like to join one of the club's special committees, let him know this, as well. The more, the merrier!***
       
            *** Watch for Michael B's invitation to our next meeting and plan to join us!***                                                   
                                                                        STAY SAFE AND WELL!

                                                                                                                                                              :)