PROGRAM: David Buttar introduced Brenda Rider from Glorious Homes and founder of A Way With Words Foundation.
President Michael opened the meeting and called on Rom Kasuganti to give the Invocation, Pledge and he led us in singing God Bless America.
Visiting Guest: Christina Daley from Poland.
Chuck Baker led us in singing "Viva Le Rotary". and it was very well done. President Mike's favorite song too.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
November is Rotary Foundation Month. Mitch will give a talk on it - in December. The Foundation funds all large program of Rotary International.
Conti Walk: was held over the weekend for ALS at Boardman Park. Five Rotarians from our club participated.
Bell Ringing: December 6 at Santisi's IGA from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Anniversary: This year will mark Austintown Rotary's 40th year. Melissa Crowley has volunteered to help plan a reunion meeting to celebrate.
This will be the same date as our fireside chat. Old members, past presidents, etc. will be contacted. Please see Melissa if you can help.
Taste of Austintown: tickets are being sold by our club as a mini-fundraiser. Tickets are $5.00 each and the club keeps half of all the tickets
we sell. Money is already coming in - keep it coming.
Gary Reel sent out a Press Release for the Interact kids who helped with cleanup and Rescue Mission.
November 16, Pancake breakfast sponsored by Youngstown Rotary, will be held at Ursuline High School from 9-12.
RYLA Conference - Interact kids meet and learn about leadership
Woodside Reads Program (used to be called Ohio Reads). Austintown Rotary is trying to keep it going. There are 25 volunteers donating their
time but now have to undergo a background check first. The cost is $56.00 per person and the money is a problem for some. It will be discussed at next Board Meeting.
Karl Rein again doing the Toy Drive for Akron Children's Hospital. Please bring a toy for around $10.00 to the Christmas Party December 12.
This year the party will be at Mo-Jo's on Mahoning Avenue.
FELLOWSHIP: Hillary fined all who have not volunteered for at least one project in the last 3 months. (Good one Hillary!)
RAFFLE: Ron Carroll won the little one but lost the big one.
PROGRAM: David Buttar introduced Brenda Rider from Glorious Homes and founder of A Way With Words Foundation.
Brenda purchased Glorious Homes from her father, Robert Rider when he retired. In addition to working full time and having waterproofed over 6,500 basements in the area, Brenda decided that was not enough.
She created the foundation in order to publish written works submitted by those locally touched by cancer. These people can be survivors, relatives or anyone who has been touched by cancer. A Way With Words Foundation raises awareness for cancer and puts a positive light in our community by encouraging those touched by cancer to express in writing, a poem, quotation, short story, or antidote that will be considered for publication. They have already published two books: There's Hope In What We Do, and The Gift of Giving. Both books are sold at Glorious Homes, Borders, JMJ Spiritual Connection, Himes Tax Service, Barnes & Noble and New York Music.
Brenda is also sponsor of the ROCK Children's Choir, comprised of cancer survivors, their friends and siblings. They are not necessarily musicians, but have been touched by cancer and have a love of music. The sound of this choir is excellent, but when you listen with your heart, they take your breath away.