Rotary Club of Port Jefferson (Oct 18, 2022)

News of the Meeting of October 18th

Posted by Yvette Hohler

President Michael was joined at Cafe Spiga by 11 members and 1 guest, our speaker, Irene Michalos, Executive Director of AGAPE Meals for Kids.

Following an inspirational poem read by Sharon, Michael welcomed us and began with club announcements:

Bob H. is working on setting up a joint meeting (early next year) with Rocky Point Rotary. Suggestions discussed include a possible Joint Service Day at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in 2023, A Cruise to Nowhere, and other collaborative opportunities.

President Michael reminded us that we have an open position on the Exec. Board and for Publicity Chair. Sal spoke to us last week about this, nominating Kim to be named as a Board Member At Large and Publicity Chair. Michael will send an email to our membership, putting forth Kim's name for both positions. If all agree to this nomination, Kim will become a Board Member At Large and our newest Publicity Chair.

Sal sent Michael a note regarding the return of the Rotary Youth Exchange. Sal checked with Rose Quaranta, District Chair of the Exchange, and learned that Counselors are definitely needed. We will be learning more about the Short Term Exchange Program (S.T.E.M.) in the upcoming weeks.

Sharon found a copy of the Rotary District's 75th Anniversary Journal, published the year that Bill Jaeger was our Club President. There is a nice write-up in this Journal about Bill (and the other Club Presidents at the time), so Sharon contacted Marilyn, Bill's widow, and brought the copy to her home, allowing for a most pleasant gettogether.

Dennis announced that when he delivered last week's donations, Vicki Rybak (The Open Cupboard) thanked us for our monthly contributions. Thirty-seven new families are now being cared for (with 17 brand new ones). Also, former families in need are returning to The Open Cupboard for renewed assistance. Vicki is currently working on her own as the Social Worker in Charge of The O.C.- no more helpers available, evidently.

In addition, Dennis announced that this past weekend was a good one for Rotary participation in local events: On Saturday, Cindy, Pat, Yvette, and he worked at the Historical Society's Annual Auction on the grounds of the Mather House Museum; and on Sunday, Debbie, Rebecca, Sal, and Yvette were among the participants in the 18th Annual Hope Children's Fund Bi-Continental 5K Walk/Run on the Greenbelt Trail in Port Jeff Station.

Yvette invited all to save the date and plan to attend on Saturday, November 5th, at 6 PM, The Annual Basket Auction at St. Anselm's Center for Worship, 4 Woodville Rd., in Shoreham . In addition to fantastic baskets, there will be raffles, a 50/50, and more. The proceeds derived from this event will be split between St. Anselm's and Hope Children's Fund. For more information- or to help out, call 631-744-7730.

Pat updated us on ongoing activities at the Chandler Estate. Al is building a kiosk for the entrance to the park and is receiving help from Boy Scouts and others. A lot of the work has been done and much is still ongoing. The site is being prepared for heavier public use. Monies received from our District Grant will be used on this project and further improvements to the park and trails, including the building of a shelter for equipment and materials. In our name, Pat and Al thank Riverhead Building Supplies for the good deal they gave on the purchase of lumber needed for this project.

Reminder: This is Paint Port Pink Month. Make your pumpkin stand for something this October! Pink your pumpkin in support of breast cancer awareness by: finding your perfect pumpkin and decorating it in the pinkest fashion possible; take a photo, emailing it to matherhospital@northwell.edu by October 24th; and include with the photo the subject line: Pink Your Pumpkin, your full name, and your phone number. Use (hashtag) #paintportpink and post your pink pumpkin on your social media. The winner will be selected by employee leaders at Mather Hospital on October 25th. The prize: a $500 gift card. All entries will be posted on Mather's Facebook page.

Please keep Judi in your thoughts and prayers.

Jenn reminds us that we will be participating in the Annual Fall Cleanup at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck on Sunday, November 6th, with breakfast being served at 8 AM. We'll work (mostly raking- bring your own rake) until 12:15 PM, at which time our chefs will have prepared a wonderful lunch on the BBQ. BRING YOUR FAMILY! BRING FRIENDS! (Also, remember: Daylight Savings Time ends and we'll be falling back to Eastern Standard Time on the 6th!). ***KINDLY R.S.V.P. to Jenn by November 1st so that she can convey the number of participants to Michael at Mather in a timely fashion. Mather will be supplying the food for the luncheon.

ON FRIDAY, October 28th, Michael will hold the monthly Exec. Board Meeting via Zoom at 8 AM. All members are invited to attend. Let our Prez know that you wish to do so, and he'll share the link.

Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck's SPOOKY WALK begins this weekend.

***Next week, October 25th, we will NOT meet at Cafe Spiga at noon, BUT will, instead, meet for our evening social gathering at Mike Sceiford's new office: 640 Belle Terre Rd., from 5:30-7 PM.

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Acting as today's Sergeant, President Michael posed questions about Halloween. Do you know (or remember) the origins of this special day? Among other things we learned through his questions: that $6.2 billion is spent by Americans on this holiday; Skittles is the most popular Trick or Treat candy received; 35 million lbs. of candy corn are produced for the celebration; and magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween.

Happy $$$ were collected (among other reasons): in celebration of Cindy's brother's birthday today; Dennis considered this past weekend to be a good one for Rotary activities; Al will be celebrating his 90th birthday; Kim enjoyed the Children's Literature Conference that she planned; Jenn is wishing for a successful camp cleanup; Comsewogue Library participated in a successful food donations for pumpkins event; In Thanks to Dennis for his service to our club and promoting help for the food insecure; and the Giants won again! Al was about to give a Sad $, because he thought we'd forgotten about his birthday. Jenn celebrated her birthday a few days ago. She requested that we sing to her in the club's traditional fashion. And so we did. Al, on the other hand, requested that Sharon sing solo to him, so she complied (sort of reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe-style). Both birthday celebrants were happy with the manner in which their special musical requests were answered.

President Michael again introduced our Guest Speaker, Irene Michalos. She told us that in 2021, she helped form AGAPE Meals for Kids to address food insecurity for the growing numbers of hungry children living in local communities. She explained that she learned that some youngsters have come to rely on school-provided free breakfasts and lunches during the week but may not have another meal between Fridays and Sundays. Remembering what it was like growing up in a family with financially modest means, Irene recalled difficult influences from her past and determined to do something to help these local children who were growing up "food insecure". She told us that 70,000 children on LI go hungry. Her organization provides food to such children. "AGAPE" comes from the Greek language, meaning "unconditional love". The program provides backpacks filled with food to children who have been identified by their schools as facing food insecurity every week. Through the efforts of this 501c3 not-for-profit, every Friday, these youngsters are each given a backpack after school (in private) filled with 7 easy-to-make meals and snacks, to carry them through the weekend. Currently, 137 families are being helped in the Brentwood Schools by AGAPE, sending home not just meals but hope and love . The families being helped frequently send heartfelt Thank You Notes to AGAPE. The program is now being started in the Comsewogue Schools. Irene's organization is 100% volunteer. Starbucks and Stop & Shop have partnered with AGAPE. The Greek Church in Port Jefferson Station offers freely the space for the food collected and out of which this organization meets and performs its mission. The weekly programs, of course, rely on and greatly need donations (monetary and food) in order to continue. We were directed to check out the organization's website, www.agapemealsforkids.org . Nonperishable foods are needed to be distributed to the children. A shopping list for such foods can be found on the website. These foods can be used by the children who will be able to prepare by themselves meals that they can then consume. The school districts have been donating the backpacks which are filled and distributed after school on Fridays and collected back for refilling when the children return on Mondays. Irene invites us to join her organization in making a difference. She can be contacted at 631-343-9555 or at agapemealsforkids1@gmail.com . Monetary donations can be sent to her at P.O. Box 311, Mount Sinai, NY 11766.

Kim picked the blue raffle ticket that won her the chance to pick a card from the deck and hope for the Ace of Spades to win the pot. She picked the 5 of spades (So close!); so the pot (today $100) continues to grow. Next meeting, will you win it? Ya gotta be in it to win it!

NEXT WEEK: We meet at 5:30- 7 PM at Mike Sceiford's office, 640 Belle Terre Rd. for our monthly social!

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!