Pledge: Pres. Brian DeBlasiis
Prayer: Charlie Renshaw
Song: Bill McLauglin
Brents Card Game Winner: Devin Carney
Sergeants Report: Joe Arcari
Raffle Winners: Joan, Charlie N., Bob A.
Happy Bucks: Joe told a story of a friend who moved to Florida and pays less taxes, Joe is unhappy that our sales tax is going up!, Pat S. was happy that Bob Antoniac is celebrating his 60th wedding anniversary and true to his tradition bought 60 roses for his wife Gail, lots of happy bucks for President Brian's recent wedding, John G. for the pleasure of catering it, CommUnity Day a success and our participation, Devin was happy to give all his card game winnings and to Joe he said he didn't vote for the tax hike, Pete Z for his grandson attending STEP program at Villanova
Announcements:
Pres. Brian: There is a proposed project concerning a STEM summer camp run by the OS Parks & Rec department. Brian reminded us that at our Oct. 23 meeting Matt Sagnelli of UCONN Health will speak about establishing a STEM (science/engineering) summer camp. District Governor is in favor and we may qualify for a district managed grant.
Dick Mason of the Clinton Rotary Club thanked the club for its $500 sponsorship in its Sept. 29 fundraiser, The Jim Beardsley Memorial Cornhole Tournament. With that sponsorship we get to put in a twosome at no charge. Gary and Pat S. will be representing the club - good luck!
Jan Perruccio: Reported on the success of the CommUnity day in which we pitched our tent and sold hot dogs and soft drinks. We didn't make a lot of money but being present at this well attended (400+ people) event was a positive public service and raised our profile. Unsold drinks and food will go to the Interact event Locks for Lucks (raises money for cancer research) which is next week.
John Donnelly announced the prenatal incubators have arrived in Techiman, Ghana and are in use!
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Program: Bikes for Kids
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Left to Right: Pat DeVito David Fowler Ed Barrientos Brian DeBlasiis |
Pat DeVito is active in Bikes for Kids (BFK), a Connecticut based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, writing grants for helmuts and other safety bike related items. Former president David Fowler and current president Ed Barrientos thanked the club for its support through the years. Bikes for Kids was started in 1989 by Chuck Graeb and has been taking in, repairing and giving the bikes to needy kids. They often get requests from schools, churches and other organizations. They recently sent 150 bikes to Newtown. BFK is always looking for volunteers and you don't need any special training. To date over 23,000 bikes have been given away not just to kids but adults as well. Bikes were sent to Tanzania where bikes are the primary mode of transportation and replacement bikes went to Willimantic to replace bikes that had been stolen. Help comes from bike shops who supply parts. The Old Saybrook Police donates bikes. Click donate a bike to donate money or a bike. BFK is looking for corporate support and donated space for their operations.
Donations are being accepted by Bikes for Kids to grant a child and parent a ride on the Essex Steam Train for a holiday performance of the Polar Express; including cookies, caroling, cocoa and Santa Claus! After the performance, unbeknownst to them, the children will be escorted to the BFK wheelhouse where each child will be gifted a brand new bicycle and helmet. This is a dream come true for many kids.
Upcoming events:
11/6/19: Lunch meeting featuring Congressman Joe Courtney. Guests are welcome so a headcount is needed
11/14/19: Annual H.E.A.T. dinner at Fireman's Field. $10pp
Starting next week, all happy bucks go toward the Liberty Bank turkey drive
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