Dear Fellow Rotarians,
Are you ready? December often brings 3 to 4 inches of snow! And just last week, I walked my dog wearing a light sweater. December brings many challenges with these changes. And it is not just the short hours of daylight. The excitement and expectations of the holidays bring lots to plan and prepare for and to do! I find I have to write it all down in to-do lists that begin to look like spreadsheets.
So let me add a few items to your to-do list.
Giving Tuesday may be officially over according to the calendar, but it is not too late for you to consider making a donation to the Emmaus Rotary Club Foundation to help with our efforts to ease the food insecurity among the students and families of the East Penn School District or to the Rotary Foundation to support RI's international projects.
This Thursday morning, we will meet both at Brookside Country Club and on Vox Tandem as our Fellowship Committee spread holiday cheer. This virulent virus continues to plague us all and the number of cases was up again today in 43 states. Each Monday, the Executive Committee looks at this decision and we do anticipate that we all might be meeting together again in cyberspace, linked on our screens, in the future. Brookside Country Club has upped its precautions and protocols. At the main entrance, there is now a stand-alone station that automatically scans guests for an elevated temperature. We are also reminded that masks are worn at all times except when eating or drinking, even if guests remain seated at dining tables.
Please RSVP with Tony Moyer if you want reservations to the light display at the LV Zoo on December 9, 2020. (See article below for details.)
Currently, we are o n l y collecting for four causes! Rotarian Ralph Lewis will be accepting canned goods for the Groceries PLUS Food Pantry. Eileen Prokop asks you to bring bars of soap and personal size hand sanitizers for the Angel Network. Community Service has been asked by Turning Point if we can help provide gift cards. And, please consider donating a little something special for door prizes. Do you make a special "to die for" fruit cake? That would make a fun door prize and raise the level of levity.
The daylight hours are short, the number of Covid19 cases is high-- but, hey, I am glad you all are here and ready to spread that good ole fashioned holiday cheer with me. Did you know that between November 1st and January 15 there are approximately 29 holidays observed by 7 of the world's major religions? So, we have lots of opportunities to spread kindness, cheer, and peace.
Yours in Service Above Self,
Lexa Shallcross,
President Emmaus Rotary
2020-2021