Today, we welcomed Vicki Ryback, who provided us with an update on the Infant Jesus RC Parish Social Ministry/Outreach programs. She reminded us that these include not only running The Open Cupboard, the food pantry with which we've grown so familiar, but also a collections center for gently used clothing (including shoes) for men, women, boys, and girls of all ages and sizes, as well as towels, bed sheets, small appliances, and other household needs, to be donated to Parish residents in need. Vicki's most pressing problem being dealt with at this time- "a new and worrisome problem"- is the "deportation issue". She reports that already 2 area families have been affected, with the fathers having recently been deported, leaving the mothers and children here without any means of caring for themselves. Vicki is currently seeking a lawyer who can help create a document that would lead to providing care for the remaining family members, including the possibility of allowing for legal residence and even adoption. The Parish Outreach serves 204 families per month, 76% of whom are Latino, while the rest are white, black, Asian, etc. Businesses are not hiring, so many of the families that seek help find themselves in a position of need due to unemployment. Sanctuaries are being sought to temporarily house especially mothers and children and provide them with shelter, clothing, and food. Vicki mentioned that she looks forward to next week when she will take part in an information, training, and networking program offered by the Setauket Presbyterian Church for agencies that help the needy. She reminded us that her agency is into "helping, not enabling" those who seek its services. She also reminded us that when school ends at the end of June, gone will be the "free breakfasts & lunches" now provided to the children by their schools. That's when our list of food donations will change to ensure that families dependent on the food pantry will have ample supplies of bread, peanut butter & jelly, macaroni, tuna, and the like. Vicki stated, too, that so far funding of The Open Cupboard has been great (ie., through generous grants from LI Cares). In serving the public, she states that the only stipulations she has for people who request aid: "that they be sober, nice, and needy". Vicky is especially grateful that "whenever we need something, it always comes" (donors appear whenever needed), and concluded that if it wasn't for Rotary, her work might be much, much harder.
We also welcomed two visitors from Mt. Sinai High School- Audra Falco, guidance counselor and sponsor of the Interact Club, and senior Kiera Gresser, Interactor and past RYLA participant, who came to tell us about The Water Well Project. Stimulated by a visiting speaker and presentation about the difficulties of obtaining clean water in most 3rd world countries, especially in Africa, Kiera began a project to raise money to build a water well in a town in Liberia, not far from the town center and a school. Noting that it's usually young girls who are given the job of going to a river or other water source, often a great distance away, to fetch water for a family's daily use, this often causes the girls to miss part or all of their school instruction. What's more, the water they carry is not just a physically heavy burden, but it is usually not clean and healthy. The Water Well Project aims to provide clean, potable water to people by placing wells near schools and town centers. Kiera has been raising money since the fall to provide a well where it's needed. Her 1st fundraising project involved "selling" colorfully painted parking spaces to her school's students. She has also raised money selling water bottles, a project helped along by students at the William Floyd Middle School. Together, students at both schools have raised around $1,300 towards the $3,000 needed to build the well. We shall probably hear more about this project soon and may wish to offer our financial support.
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS:There's now $622 in the pot waiting to be won- with only 21 cards left to draw from- and, yes, the Ace of Spades is still among them ( but a Joker remains, as well). It could be YOU who wins the pot. Next opportunity: our 5/23 luncheon at Cafe Spiga, when we will welcome Ron Villano, who will speak to us about "Living Life With a Zing". Have you received your packet of RAFFLE TICKETS from Bill Curry yet? If not, don't worry. Bill will present you with your tickets when he next sees you.(No fair hiding!) Remember, each individual ticket still costs $40, but we can also sell 3 for $100, 7 for $200, and 15 for $400. ***ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE:The money we earn from sold tickets will fund the year's activities & events and our ongoing charitable giving. Bill will collect money from your ticket sales until Susan returns in June. ***Please correct the date of the Drawing on each ticket: It should read SEPTEMBER 14th , which is also the date of our ANNUAL PAST PRESIDENTS DINNER & RAFFLE DRAWING (& 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB's FOUNDING).This auspicious event will take place at Savino's Hideaway, corner of North Country & Pipe Stave Hollow Roads in Mt. Sinai. More info will be forthcoming soon. Sharon reported that the Gift of Life Gala was a very nice event, especially because Ed was much recognized and thanked for all the good that he has done for G of L over the years.Unfortunately, we'll be arranging for another Farewell Party in the near future, as Susan will apparently be returning for good to her Florida home in September. Meanwhile, we must make the most of enjoying her presence for the short while we have her, beginning in June. Tomorrow, May 17th, the District will hold its Centennial Celebration at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY. Let's not forget that we will have our Annual Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck Spring Clean Up on May 21st, beginning at 8:30 AM ,and will be joined by neighboring Rotary and Interact Clubs. Our tasks will include painting and preparing picnic tables and mattresses for summer use. Dennis has sent out an email with more info- including the possible need to cancel this event if the weather is too rainy on Sunday. He noted that since ticks are abundant in the woodsy outdoors, volunteers must prepare to dress appropriately and plan to check themselves carefully upon completion of camp chores. You are invited to attend the 2nd Annual Habitat Suffolk Builders' Breakfast (it's free!) on Thursday, May 25th at The StoneBridge Club in Smithtown. Contact Deb for more info. We've been invited to the installation of incoming DG Wendy Walsh (Seatuck Cove) at the Rock Hill Country Club on 6/3. The cost? $75 p/p. Our Club will participate in our annual Habitat Build on Friday, June 9th. The cost will be $50 per member, with the club matching that amount (It's tax deductible!). Bring family & friends (older than 16).Let Debbie know a.s.a.p. of your interest.She needs more volunteers, and she will be glad to help you register for The Build on line. ***The Port Jefferson and Rocky Point Rotary Clubs will hold their Joint New Officer Installation Dinner on Tuesday, June 20th- at Savino's Hideaway. (This event will replace our regular luncheon that would normally take place on this day.) The new DG plans to attend and perform the inductions. The cost will be $40-50 p/p including tax & tip. Spouses/significant others are welcome. More specifics will be provided soon...Ever wonder how you'd do competing against Kenyans in a 5K run/walk contest? On June 3rd, you'll have the opportunity to find out at the 13th Annual Hope Children's Fund 5K, where Kenyans and Americans of all ages and abilities will participate 7 time zones apart. The USA walkers and runners will compete by beginning and ending at the Port Jeff Station entrance to the Setauket-Port Jeff Greenway on Rte. 112. The event begins at 10 AM, with registration beginning at 9 :00 AM. The cost: $25- (or whatever you can afford). Runners wh0 gather $100 or more in pledges get to compete for free. T-shirts go to the 1st 50 registrants, and medals will be given to all. All (tax deductible) proceeds go to the Jerusha Mwiraria Hope Children's Home in Meru, Kenya. Michael invites you to attend his Annual Shredding Party at Saranto Calamas' office at #640 Belle Terre Rd. (the Medical Park across from Mather Hospital) on June 3rd, from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. This popular event is like a tailgating party- with food (ie., shredded pork), wine, beer, & music. Mike reports that last year's event saved over 60 trees. You are also invited to participate in the Comsewogue Library Blood Drive on June 1st, 1 PM to 7 PM. Every donor will receive a t-shirt and a coupon for a large McDonalds sandwich with any purchase. To be eligible to donate, please bring a signed photo ID. You must weigh a minimum of 110 lbs, be between 16-75 years of age (16 year olds need parental permission; if you are 76 and over, you'll need a doctor's note); and you can't be a donor if you've received a tattoo in the past 12 months. Judi Betts is recovering from her broken femur at Jefferson's Ferry (Rm.# 200) and would welcome visitors- especially in the PMs, after her physical therapy sessions.Bob is still seeking evening meeting places, 1 per month, for this summer. Contact him if you can provide a meeting site.
***Please check out our page on Face Book- and Like Us.
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: (*If you don't see your name on this list, select an item from it for your donation.)
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.
...our May Anniversary Celebrators: on May 6th, ERICA JURASITS; on May 9th, LISA MULVEY; on May 14th,ARCHANA GAUTAM; on May 25th, PAT SABO; and on May 27th, BOB HUTTEMEYER.
