As we head into the fourth quarter, there are many ways members can Make A Difference through the work of our club. In the month of October alone, members can:
- Bring food donations for the Emmaus Food Bank to this week’s meeting (one week later than normal due to Ralph Lewis’ travel schedule). Cash gifts are welcome, too.
- Donate dishwashing liquid for the Angel Network Food Baskets to be distributed to East Penn families for Thanksgiving. Collections will continue through Thursday November 9.
- Participate in the club’s fundraising efforts for ShelterBox. With many boxes already deployed for the victims of the recent hurricanes and flooding disasters, ShelterBox is looking to replenish its stock. We collected $135 at last week’s meeting and will continue to pass the basket at every meeting through November 16. The need is great, so please respond generously.
- Plant trees in partnership with The Wildlands Conservancy on Saturday October 28. Gary Guthrie is coordinating this event in which 25 to 30 trees will be planted in the Berger Street area of Emmaus. RI President Ian Riseley has challenged all Rotary clubs to plant one tree for every member before Sunday April 22, better known as Earth Day. When combined with the eleven trees planted in Camp Olympic Park on Make A Difference Day, this event could bring our total to 41. With 90 members, we will have more work to do to reach RIP Ian’s goal. But this will be a major step forward!
- Donate candy for the Miracle League Trick or Treat night on Wednesday October 25. Bob Halsey will be collecting candy at the next two breakfast meetings. Cash gifts also welcome.
- Participate in the Yvette Palmer Purple Pinkie 5K/Fun Walk on Saturday October 14 where all proceeds go to Rotary’s End Polio Now project. If you can’t run or walk, please consider sponsoring me! Through your generosity, I’ve already collected over $200 for this great cause. Remember, the Gates Foundation is providing matching gifts of two dollars for every dollar raised for polio eradication. So, this is a terrific way to get major bang for your buck (plus you earn Paul Harris credit for your gifts).
- Assist with “security” at the Emmaus Halloween Parade on Saturday October 21. Erich Loch is coordinating this event which requires 8 to 10 people to walk the parade route between the different divisions. Volunteers will wear the club’s new reflective yellow vests.
I hope all of you will participate in at least one of these opportunities to Make A Difference this month. Thank you for your service and generosity!
Yours in Rotary,
Burt
PS – Here’s the link to last week’s Club Assembly presentation (apologies for the poor quality of some of the images in this PDF version of the presentation). Thanks to all of you who commented at the meeting and via email. More to come on the banner discussion at a later date.