President Jeff Furest called the Mount Clemens Rotary Club to order at 12:15 p.m.
Doug Norris led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Kathleen Best led the club in “The Four-Way Test.” Sarah Lee gave the benediction.
The day’s menu featured grilled chicken breasts, tasty herbed cheesy cauliflower, bowtie pasta salad, lettuce salad and eclairs.
Foundation President Valerie Miller invited all Rotarians to support the Anchor Bay Rotary Club’s April 19 spaghetti dinner fundraiser to purchase ShelterBoxes to send to Ukraine. Tickets are $20 and available from Valerie or www.anchorbaychamber.com. Our club is sending $500 in support of the event.
She also is in charge of ticket sales for our big event on May 13, the Rock Around the Clock fundraiser. Tickets may be purchased for $100 at mcrgala.com. For information call 586-306-2079.
Ed Mastry welcomed guests Sue Paynter and Vita Simmons.
Scott Chabot led the club in wishing Amanda Oparka a very happy birthday. Flowers were sold as follows:
From Ken Steele to Julie Miller for being a brave woman to sit at the “guys” table
From Jeff Furest to Scott Chabot for handling the presidential duties last week
From Ed Mastry to Valerie Miller for doing such a great job with her presentations
From Doug Norris to Susan Paynter our “regular attendee”
From Gary Felts to Tina for the leftover cauliflower
From Stephanie Mirable to Kim Jarvis and Jessie Johnson for helping with attendance
Today’s music director was led by Sarah Lee who picked “April Showers” and did a fine job of hitting the high notes. The encore song was “All Hail to Rotary.”
There was no good will or sunshine report.
The multi-talented Sarah Lee was also responsible for recognition today. Brother Bob Lee was supposed to be her assistant today but he was a “no show.” She announced that she was part of the basket committee and that she would be kind to those who bring items for the baskets such as gift cards, lottery tickets, quality alcohol, etc. To those who don’t, beware as she will make it up with recognition.
In terms of recognizing people, she fined the following:
Eric Pierson in absentia for getting her to sign up for recognition, $4.99
Ryan Murphy in absentia for getting her to sign up in the same month for music, only $2 because he is a nice guy
Amanda Oparka’s husband won $300 in the NCAA brackets, $3
Ken Steele paid $2 for one of Ellen Lysik’s cupcakes as did others
Bill Furest was nailed $4.99 for the Vita déjà vu episode
The tablemates of Ken Steele paid $2 in sympathy for his recent surgery
Our own Ellen Lysik and Julie Miller were our impromptu speakers who provided an overview and update of Bravo Programs of America. The organization was founded by Ellen and a colleague who saw a tremendous need to help foster youth ages 18 to 24 get a solid foundation for a future career and life ahead by providing much needed scholarships for college and vocational training. The organization has a Guidestar Platinum rating with 97% of funds going to the youth they are serving.
According to Julie, a significant number of children in the U.S. (6%) have been in foster care at one point or another. Of the 7.4% of Americans who have experienced homelessness a startling 50% had been in foster care at one time or another.
Children entering foster care often come from difficult situations beyond their control. Neglect, drug abuse parent, abuse top the list of reasons why children are placed in foster homes. Placement with a relative or non-relative are the typical path. Importantly, the placement is intended to be temporary, but just over half are reunited with their parents or primary caregiver. Many reach age 18 at which time they are expected to move out and live on their own. As noted, Ellen’s organization attempts to help these young adults make a successful transition to adulthood. She and Julie greatly appreciate our club’s support of these young people and Bravo is one of the beneficiaries of our upcoming fundraiser.
More information is available at https://bravoprograms.org.
Scott Chabot led the club in wishing Amanda Oparka a very happy birthday. Flowers were sold as follows:
and did a fine job of hitting the high notes. The encore song was “All Hail to Rotary.”
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