The words written by Francis B. Church, Editor of the New York Sun, in 1897 still ring true today. He wrote to answer young Virginia O'Hanlon's letter.
He assured her, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy."
Of course, you are familiar with this editorial as it has been reprinted countless times. This December, as I read it, I had Rotary's mission statement in mind:
Together, we see a world where people unite
to take action to make a lasting change across
the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
And I began translating that familiar text:
"Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in Rotarians." and "No Rotarians! Thank God! they live and serve others....."
AND, finally, with apologies to Francis B. Church, ...."may Rotarians continue to make glad the hearts of men, women and children around the world for ever."
I thank each and every one of you who fill my heart with joy and wish you all a Merry Christmas and the very best in the New Year. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!! to All of You!!!
Due to the New Years Day Holiday, we will not be having a meeting this week.
This is the time of the year for connecting with family both near and far. The Executive Committee sends out our Happy New Year's greetings to all Rotarians and their families.
Last Week's Virtual Meeting was our annual presentation by the Emmaus High School Choral. Due to the COVID-19 situation, Choral leader Rita Cortez provided us with several videos of the group's past presentations. During this past year, the Choral had to practice virtually via on zoom and by way of "sections" (tenors, baritones, etc.). And they only were able to get together as an entire group twice in the parking lot to practice!
Since they couldn't perform for us live this year, Rita decided to show us a collage of songs that they sang in various locations. In addition they showed us videos of the choral performing at both the Sistine Chapel and at the Vatican in Italy! Rita noted that she looks forward to when they can sing together again. Although they had many plans to sing locally and abroad in the 2020-21 school year which ultimately had to be canceled, they are optimistic that they will be performing in full format again next year. Thanks to Rita for joining us again this year and we look forward to seeing them LIVE in 2021! If you are interested in viewing the video, please use the link below:
DON"T FORGET! Weekly Door Prize Donations Needed! Be our next meeting's prize sponsor!
It seems like we all like the idea of winning a festive prize at our meetings (in person or online). We have had some very generous and fun donations since incorporating this new aspect to our meetings. Many thanks to all who have donated a prize! It is a nice way to give back to each other. Do you have a hobby or talent you can share with the club? Maybe you love to bake, sew, or garden. Let’s get creative with our door prizes and share a little bit about ourselves in the process! How about we show some love to the local businesses in our community? They have shown us support with raffle donations and sponsorships throughout the years. Consider purchasing a $20.00 gift card from one of the many small businesses in the East Penn Area. As we know every little bit helps. It's also a great way to start a conversation about Rotary and invite business owners and managers to a club meeting.
So if you’d like to sponsor a door prize contact Don Blose, Meghan Reed, Sal Verrastro or Lexa Shallcross.
A big Thank You to Tony Moyer for organizing the trip to the Lehigh Valley Zoo to see the spectacular lighting displays. If you haven't seen the lights, please take the time to do so. It is wonderful for all ages! You can always join our Sargent at Arms who never made it to the event due to the traffic. Thanks to Dee Eng for the photos.
If you remember, our Sargeant At Arms has been looking for an anonymous donor to match any Happy Dollars collected in one month so that we could all avoid fines!!! I am Happy to report that we found an "anonymous donor" (who just might be in the photo above) to match all Happy Dollars collected in the month of May. Many Many thanks to this generous person!
As you all know the Emmaus Rotary leads the establishment of the East Penn Food Coalition along with other community service groups to meet hunger needs in the East Penn School District Community.
We have reached a critical point to fund the East Penn Food Coalition, Feed East Penn Students Program. We currently serve over 200 children a week and need your help to raise money to continue to feed hungry kids in our community.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! We are seeking business, grants, and individual donations to support over $20,000 in need.
You can provide help for our neighbors in need in the following ways:
If you are interested in being part of this group, please let us know. Thanks to all of those who have contributed thus far.
We can all work together to help the families in our own East Penn Community.
Lastly, we also need your help in sharing our mission with your friends, family and colleagues. Here are quick and easy ways to participate in crowd funding.
Share the link on your social media pages. (Share on your own page and in groups you belong to)
Email your contact list.
If you own a business share with your clients via email or social media.
Surely there are women in our Emmaus and Lehigh Valley communities with an outstanding record of volunteer humanitarian service who have given their time and efforts to advance RI’s Mission to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance understanding, goodwill, and peace, and who are leaders in their chosen field.
Now is your opportunity to nominate a woman from our community who personifies these qualities to receive the Emmaus Rotary Club International Women’s Day Celebration (IWDC) Rotary Award on March 11, 2021. For the fourth year, on behalf of the Emmaus Rotary Club, I am writing to encourage you to submit a nomination by January 24, 2021.
You will find detailed information about the nomination criteria and how to submit a nomination when you click read more below. If you have any questions before this date, please feel free to e-mail me at aruizorbin@aol.com or to call me at my cell #610-392-5134.
On behalf of our Club’s IWDC Committee and on my behalf, I thank you for your support and look forward to receiving your nomination.
Yours in Rotary Service,
Alicia Ruiz-Orbin, Committee Chair International Women’s Day Celebration
NOW is the time to make your decision to become better educated about world-wide Rotary. If you have any wish to maximize your Rotary club membership, especially if you are new to your club, RLI makes it easy. Attend the virtual RLI training session on March 13, 2021. DEADLINE TO REGISTER FRIDAY March 5th.
Any Rotarian, newcomer and “seasoned" members, who attends a day of RLI programs becomes a more valuable, and more dedicated, member of your Rotary club.
Please register NOW for Part I, II, III, and if you have graduated you may register for the Post Graduate Course.
Click the link, on the left hand side under "Upcoming Classes", Find the information for the 7430 – Pottstown RLI and click on "more info", the next screen click "RLI Registration" on bottom right. Enter the security code as shown in the box, and click "Register Now". At this point you will be able to enter your information.
For other information or registration help, please feel free to call or e-mail Len Gieseler, District Chair, at 610-323-2201 or lgieseler2023@gmail.com.
DECEMBER is Disease Prevention and Treatment Month
At Rotary, we believe good health care is everyone’s right. Yet 400 million people in the world can’t afford or don’t have access to basic health care.
Disease results in misery, pain, and poverty for millions of people worldwide. That’s why treating and preventing disease is so important to us. We lead efforts both large and small. We set up temporary clinics, blood donation centers, and training facilities in underserved communities struggling with outbreaks and health care access. We design and build infrastructure that allows doctors, patients, and governments to work together.
Our members combat diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and polio. Prevention is important, which is why we also focus on health education and bringing people routine hearing, vision, and dental care.
COVID-19 is impacting us all in our personal, professional and Rotary lives. We must base our decisions about Rotary activities on the health and safety of our members and compliance with government and health regulations. Even though we may not be able to conduct the usual weekly in person meetings, many of our clubs are leading or participating in food and other relief programs in their communities. These efforts will likely be continuing through the balance of this Rotary year and into the future.
With this in mind, the following are guidelines for all Rotary District 7430 activities:
All guidelines set forth by the Governor, counties and other authorized persons in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the CDC should be followed.
Should any Rotarian be diagnosed with or have symptoms that they suspect to be consistent with COVID-19, that Rotarian shall:
Not participate in any Rotary event that involves a personal appearance at the event.
Report their diagnoses or symptoms to the Rotarian supervising any program in which they have participated in-person within fourteen (14) days before the diagnoses or occurrence of symptoms.
We also suggest that you adopt guidelines for your clubs that reflect the current health crisis.
Welcome to the Emmaus Rotary Club!
We meet at 7:30 AM on Thursday mornings
at Brookside Country Club, 901 Willow Lane, Macungie, PA 18062
The Emmaus Rotary Club embraces, practices and promotes the Rotary International Core Values of Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership.
