Posted by Gary Reel
At the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of Austintown, Julie Scarsella from the Make A Wish Foundation of the Mahoning Valley spoke about the valuable work of her organization. Make A Wish was founded in 1980 nationally, and in Cleveland in 1986, the Tri County area chapter was founded in 2006. Money raised locally is used locally, and last year they were able to grant 30 wishes locally. Those receiving this service must have a life threatening illness, and the average wish costs about $6000 to grant. She mentioned a special case in which an Australian youth came to Cleveland to meet Lebron James. Additional information can be obtained by calling Julie at 330 965-9085.
Austintown Rotary Meeting Minutes

Date: February 18, 2008

Greeting: Karl Rein

Invocation: Hilary Prestridge

Introduction of Guests and Visiting

Rotarians: Julie Scarsella, Jim Kirk, Bill Reese, Bob Kerpsak

Song Leader/Song: Robin Stock "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

Rotary News:

-11 tickets left to sell!

-50 items have been collected for the Chinese Auction

-REVERSE RAFFLE HAS BEEN MOVED FROM THE MARONITE CENTER TO MR. ANTHONY's!

-Poland Rotary Chili Open is Saturday February 23rd at Bedford Trails.

-March 13th Cortland Night Out @ Trumbull Theatre. Cost is $11 per person.

-Rescue Mission on 2-25-08 at 5:15 to 7:30PM.

-The GSE Dinner will be held at the Georgetown on 4-17-08. The cost is $50 per couple.

-On 2-27-08 there will be a Board Meeting at Lucianno's at 7:30AM.

-The Election of Officers for 2008 is Official and are as follows:

President- Michael Cafaro

Vice President- Brian Laraway

Secretary- Deanna Spirko

Treasurer- Brian Frederick

Club Service- David Buttar

Community Service- Susan Leetch

Vocational Service- Eric Newton

International Service- Ron Carroll

Fellowship: Gary fined those whose cell phone went off during the meeting and anyone who went to see the Pavlik fight. Also February birthdays and anniversaries were fined.

50/50 Raffle Tickets Winner: Melissa Crowley

Speaker: Julie Scarsella from Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is the regional manger. Make-A- Wish grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses. Locally, about 30 wishes per year are granted. The cost is about $6,000 per wish. There are 4 types of wishes usually. I wish "to be," I wish "to have," I wish "to go," and I wish "to meet." There are 3 qualifications that must be met:1.) The child must be between the ages of 2 ½ yrs. old to 18 yrs old. 2.) They may never have had a wish before. 3.) They must have a life threatening illness.