Three members of the Youngstown Phantom Hockey team visited the Monday meeting of the Rotary Club of Austintown. They explained that most members are between the ages of 16 and 20, and are working for college scholarships as a goal. Violence and fighting are less for this team, because colleges do not tolerate fights on the ice.
Members are mostly from out of the area, so live with host families for eight months a year, with only a food subsidy provided. Community involvement is encouraged, with members helping the United Way and reading in elementary schools.
Games are played at the Chevy Center and the Ice Zone, with 56 games this year. The Rotary involvement for Austintown is having our President as the team chiropractor.
Shown in the picture are Rotary President Dr. Michael Cafaro, players Cullen Lundholm, Christian Long, and Jordan Tibbett.
November 24 meeting called to order by President Michael Cafaro, invocation and pledge by Gary Reel.
Visitor was Beverly Flowers, guest of Carol Fye, who is a prospective member.
Song leader Chuck Baker led us in "ROTARY".
Announcements:
- We serve dinner at Rescue Mission tonight, helped by Interact members.
- Wednesday, Nov. 26, Board meeting at Lucciano's at 7:30 a.m., counts as a makeup.
- We will be ringing the bell for Salvation Army this Saturday at Santisi's IGA, leading off with Melissa and Jeremy battling cleanup.
- Karl is still taking names for our Christmas Party at MOJO's on Dec. 12, 6 p.m.
- There is still time to nominate folks for the Group Study Exchange to Sweden for next spring, must be a non-Rotarian aged 25-40 professional person. See Mike for details.
- Geoff Goll, past DG, is serving as district chairman for Polio Plus, has raised $20,000. so far, means a lot to Geoff as he is a polio survivor.
- Reverse Raffle is March 7, 2009, Mike passed around a signup and many stepped up to help on one of 5 committees. If everyone does some, nobody will have to do too much.
- Karl, Chuck, and Brian Laraway spun the wheet for November birthdays.
- Gary won the little raffle but not the big one, fewer cards each week.
- Our speakers were from the Youngstown Phantom hockey team, made up of players from ages 16-20 who are looking for college scholarships. Most come in from out of town, and live with area families for about 8 months a year. They are involved in community activities while playing and practicing for 56 games a year. Games are played at Chevy Center or Ice Zone. Austintown Rotary was invited to a special game night on Sunday, Nov. 30, Mike will contact us.