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Rob hosted today's meeting at Cafe Spiga and was joined by 9 other members "live". (Where were the rest of you?) Hopefully, this number will grow as more of us feel comfortable with attending in-person meetings. We also welcomed as our guest speaker Eric Schramm from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island. Yvette reminded us about the upcoming Hope Children's Fund Gala event that will take place on July 24th at East Wind. Rob added the fact that our club is buying a table. We still have a few more seats available at this table. Once it is filled up, an effort will be made to accommodate others of our club members who wish to attend. Rocky Point Rotary and a few other nearby clubs will also be well-represented at this event. Yvette also presented an investment opportunity: to buy a "No Give Back 50/50 Raffle" for $5 per ticket or a book of 5 tickets for $20. The drawing will take place at the Gala on July 24th, and the winner need not be present. To her awe, all ticket books sold out swiftly! Our members are astonishingly generous! Thank you! Thank you! (The guest speaker bought tickets in the name of Port Jefferson Rotary Club!) Let's hope that the drawing winner is one of our members! Yvette will be procuring more tickets in time for next week's meeting in the event that today's absentees will want them, too. Jen announced that Summer Concert Wednesdays will begin on July 14th from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Port Jeff Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce Train Car Park (corner Rtes.112 and 347). July 14th will be Hawaiian Theme Night (you are invited to dress accordingly), and there will also be a Frontline Worker Tribute. 1 Step Ahead will provide the entertainment. On July 21st, it's Ice Cream Night (free to all attendees), there'll be a BMX Stunt Show, and School of Rock, Port Jefferson will perform. On July 28th, it's Veterans Night, with the '60's band "Just Sixties" (the longest running Sixties tribute in the U.S.!) bringing the music of that era to the audience. These are free events. Please bring your own chair. Social distancing rules will apply. Jen also had BMX Track-sponsored raffle tickets to sell. For a donation of $10, raffle buyers take a chance on winning $50 daily in July. Winning raffle ticket numbers match Evening NY Lottery Numbers Drawn. As a bonus, ticket holders have the possibility of a $100 win on Sundays. Winners will be posted weekly at Facebook.com/ShorehamBMX. Dennis noted that Day Camp at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck opens next Sunday. This year, due to Covid-19 limitations, the counselors who normally come from abroad will be mostly Americans. Let's wish the campers and counselors a successful experience at the camp! Rob reminded us that the Board of Directors Meeting will take place on Zoom this Friday, June 18th, at 8 AM. All members are invited to attend. Let Rob know if you are planning to do so, and he will send you the Zoom link. Mike S. reminded us that our Golf Outing will take place throughout the Village on 9/12. He will be holding a Zoom meeting for the Golf Committee and other interested members next Wednesday, 6/23, via Zoom at 8 AM. Contact Mike to attend, and he'll send you the link. Jen reminded us to sell our ROTARY RAFFLE TICKETS and turn in the $ and ticket stubs. Rob introduced us to Eric Schramm once again. Eric spoke about the non-profit organization that he represents, Big Brothers Big Sisters of LI (BBBSLI), that formed when the two previously existing groups merged in 1977. Believing that the ability to succeed is inherent in every child, BBBSLI's mission is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that "ignite the power and promise of youth". BBSLI provides the programs to children ages 7-16, and is meant especially to aid "at risk kids"- those who lack meaningful adult role models for a myriad of reasons. The youth served are given the opportunity, via a partnering with parents/guardians and volunteers, to achieve in both community and classroom a greater confidence, higher aspirations, and better relationships- and they learn to avoid risky behaviors. Eric shared several stories about "Littles" (youngsters who are mentored) and "Bigs" (adult mentors) he has known. He invited us to become "Bigs" and perform 1 to 1 mentoring. BBSLI screens qualified, dedicated volunteers carefully. The paid professional staff (MSWs, mostly) trains and guides the adults to ensure a positive experience for each "Big" and "Little". Each match is different. A schedule is worked out for the "Big" and "Little" pairs. Some "Bigs" meet their "Littles" on weekends. Others choose to meet after school or at night. Shared activities need not be costly. A few hours spent together every month in a local park, museum, library, at the beach, and the like will suffice. Special adult attention, friendship, guidance, and role modeling help the youth achieve their full potential. BBSLI is now looking for mentors who will be caring, as well as kids who need support. This will be a 1 year commitment. Pre-Covid, BBSLI worked with approximately 500 relationships. Now they work with approximately 200- but hope the numbers will grow again. The program is free to all participants. BBSLI holds a variety of fundraisers periodically that support the program. Eric thanked our club for its continued support. Bill was Sergeant today. He was really funny as he sought our answers to trivia questions that dealt primarily with U.S. cities, and he couldn't keep straight members' names. Bill also noted that his new look came as the result of an $8 haircut in preparation for an upcoming job. Happy Dollars included the news that 3-month-old Harvey Sceiford is now able to be in his own room, Jen's youngsters have added to their many BMX contest wins, and Cindy traveled afar and back safely. A good time was had by all. Keeping last week's photos below, just because... Here's to an enjoyable week! Cheers! :) . |
