Today was an OPEN CUPBOARD COLLECTION DAY. Thank you, donors, and especially, Dennis for delivering the goods to their destination!
Also, we welcomed Patricia Conway, who spoke to us about the organization for which she works, Friends of Karen. This non-profit was founded in 1978 in Westchester County by a woman who wished to raise funds for a child named Karen who was going through the final stages of a terminal illness. After Karen died, the fundraisers established Friends of Karen in her memory. Their goal was (and remains) to help provide financial, emotional, and advocacy support for other children with life-threatening illnesses- along with their families- in order to help them all cope with the situation, remain stable, and function as well as possible. This organization has helped 14,200 children in NY, NJ, and CT since its founding. Last year, 1,679 children received support. If a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, social workers at the health care facilities where the child is being treated will often contact Friends of Karen for help in keeping the family together. Friends of Karen's social workers then assess each family's situation and needs. The organization can then offer individualized care management including sibling support systems and can cover childcare costs. It will help pay hospital and other family expenses (including food, rent, utilities, transportation, parking fees, etc.) as necessary, and will advocate for and assist all affected family members with the aid of a team of experienced, compassionate social workers and other specialists. In order to achieve its goals, Friends of Karen depends on government and corporate funding help, but also holds galas and similar fundraising events, including participation in the LI Marathon. Friends of Karen also gratefully receives donations from a variety of children's efforts, ie., Comsewogue's annual talent show "Night for Jason" and similar fundraising activities. This organization also publicizes Wish Lists, such as one requesting new school supplies and clothing gift cards to go into Back to School back packs for the children in families serviced by Friends of Karen. For more info, check out www.friendsofkaren.org or contact Patricia (patriciaconway@friendsofkaren.org). The LI Office of Friends of Karen is located at 21 Perry St. in Port Jeff, near the LIRR Station. Volunteers are welcome.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS: There's now $232 in the pot waiting to be won. YOU could win it. Next opportunity: our July 19th luncheon at Cafe Spiga. At this, our 1st meeting of Rotary Year 2016-'17, Archana thanked Dennis, Bill, Ed, & Nancy for their successful Stuff-A-Van collection this past Saturday. The next Stuff-A-Van will take place on September 10th. Can you help out? ***Our Habitat Build has been moved to the fall- new date to be determined and announced soon.*** Have you sold all of your RAFFLE TICKETS yet? If not, please do so in a timely fashion. Sharon reminds us that our Past President's Dinner & Raffle Drawing is September 22nd. Dennis announced that the Australian Friendship Exchange Delegation worked out a $10,000 international matching grant to provide Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck with new playground equipment. Sharon announced that the 24th Annual Infant Jesus RC Parish Social Ministry Barn Sale will take place on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st. She handed out a Needs List for donations of goods to be sold, ie., jewelry, artwork, books, collectibles, furniture, movie DVD's and music CD's. (There's also a Cannot Accept List, including items like coffee mugs, artificial flowers, small appliances, cassettes & VHS tapes, and clothing.) Contact Sharon for more info. Susan reminded us that OUR Back Pack Project should be accomplished in mid-August.
***Please visitour club's Face Book Page and Like it. Debbie posted many photos taken at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck. Who do you recognize?
If you missed today's meeting, kindly inform Yvette about make-ups in a timely fashion.
***The following is a list of donation "assignments" for members' once-a-month donations via the Club to the Open Cupboard:
Betts, Judi: Toilet Paper
Bossert, Ken: Shampoo/Conditioner
Brennan, Dennis: Canned Fruit
Brennan, Sharon: Spaghetti Sauce
Berner, Cynthia: Rice
Curry, Bill: Apple Juice
Dinunzio, Ed: Diapers
Engelhardt, Debbie: Juice Boxes
Gautam, Archana: Baby Wipes
Hanson, Susan: Baby Formula
Hohler, Yvette: Beans
Jaeger, Bill: Canned Vegetables
Janhsen, Karl: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
Jurasits, Erika: Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Kopcienski, Al Cereal (Hot or Cold)
Lund, Amy: Canned Chicken
Murray, Kevin: Tuna
Rhatigan, Jim: Diapers
Sabo, Pat: Beans
Sceiford, Michael: Grape Juice Boxes
Vigliante, Paul: Milk (Dry or Boxed)
***Check the list for your name and assigned item. (If you are not listed, you may donate any listed item. Corporate members are encouraged to donate individually. If you would like to be listed with a specific item, contact Debbie and specify your item of choice.)
***Bring contributions to the Heritage Diner on the 2nd Tuesday of the month or give to another Club member who will be attending.
*** If you would like to be reimbursed, bring receipt(s) to the meeting.
...RICH BENNETT, who will celebrate his birthday on July 15th; WARD CLARKE, whose birthday is July 16th; CYNTHIA BERNER & JIM RHATIGAN, who share birthdays on July 18th; KARL JANHSEN, who has a birthday on July 24th; BOB NEIDIG, who celebrated his anniversary on July 4th; BILL JAEGER, whose anniversary will be July 18th; and ED DiNUNZIO, who is celebrating his 38th year in Rotary this month!
