Thanks and Giving

When sitting down to write my message this week, I took time to reflect on some lovely poems that I found about what giving means. I hope you enjoy the poem below by Alberto Rios.  I THANK each and every one of you for all you GIVE.  You give your time, your talents and your treasures in the motto of Service Above Self. I see you give selflessly to your families, and your friendships. You also give opportunities. You give different perspectives. You give in creative ways. You give quietly without expecting accolades. You give because it makes a difference.  Each act of giving matters.  You matter. Thank you for being an Emmaus Rotarian.  

Follow this link to listen to the Poet read this poem aloud. It is even better when you listen to it. When Giving Is All We Have by Alberto Ríos - Poems | poets.org

When Giving Is All We Have

 - 1952-
One river gives
Its journey to the next.

We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.

We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.

We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it—

Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.

Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:

Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.

You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me

What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made

Something greater from the difference.

 
 
 
 
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW THIS WEEK:
 
NO MEETING THIS WEEK in observance of Thanksgiving! It's Turkey Time! 
 
Feeling cozy at our meetings? I hear you! Want more elbow room? Me too! How do we make this happen? We need more members to attend our meetings! Pre-Covid we had much higher numbers of meeting attendance. Since getting back to full in persons meetings our attendance has declined. We talk a lot about being "finders" for new members. We are also "keepers" of our existing members.  We have all created friendships through the years. Who have you not seen in awhile? Please call that person today and ask them to come back to our weekly meetings.
HEY maybe you're reading this and thinking....boy ya know it's been a while since I've been at a meeting.... I miss my friends.... I miss the way I feel after an inspirational program...I'd like to check out our new meeting location.  WELL, WE MISS YOU TOO and WE WANT TO SEE YOU! 
Let's show Superior Restaurant that we can fill the entire room so that we can justify asking that it be reserved just for us! 
 
ANGEL NETWORK RICE COLLECTION! We are very close to collecting 100 boxes of rice. Please remember to bring boxed rice to our next meeting on 12/1/22. We can make a difference to struggling families one small donation at a time! Can't make the meeting next week....Drop your rice off at Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers by Wednesday and I will make sure it gets to Eileen on 12/1/22  
 
UP Next! 
Saturday, December 3, 2022.  Letters to Santa at Emmaus Old Fashioned Christmas. Help the True Believers in Santa get their wishes to Man in Red at Emmaus Tree Lighting. If you ever wanted to live in your own Hallmark Movie...this is your chance.   
The time for the event is 4-7.  We will do 2 time slots, 3:30-5 and 5-7.  We are looking for 2 volunteers for each shift. You would be helping the kids get their letters written and then "mailed" to Santa.  Please sign up with the link below to let us know that you're interested in helping us out.
 
 
Meeting December 8th! Book Collection for Cops & Kids and the ERC Shopper Shop.  We are bringing back two favorite programs from last year.  Bring your Mega Millions to cash in on some sweet Rotary Merch and other fun gifts donated by fellow members.  Want to earn more Mega Millions? Bring a book to donate to Cops and Kids that day! We are looking for Childrens books for ages K - 5th grade. We will be writing encouraging messages in these books and including a bookmark.   WE WILL HAVE THE FULL DINING HALL FOR THIS MEETING. 

Meeting December 15th AT THE  MACUNGIE INSTITUE located at 510 East Main Street, Macungie. We will NOT be at or usual meeting location on 12/15 because we will be treated to a Festive Holiday performance by the Emmaus High School Chorale. Same time, 7:30am, same breakfast price of $15.  Parking on site. Don't miss this uplifting performance that has become a beloved ERC tradition.  The voices of these students are sure to give you goosebumps. 
 
 
Shine Bright Friends! 
Meghan Reed
President, Emmaus Rotary Club 2022/23