At the March 20 Board of Director’s meeting, Assistant Governor Norm Kelly presented Mike Markovitz with his next multiple Paul Harris pin.  Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli pinned Mike with his new Paul Harris.

 

Pres. Samantha Maruzzelli, Mike Markovitz and AG Norm Kelly
 

 

President-Elect Mike Markovitz brought the meeting to order at 12:15 PM at Purkey’s Pink Apple with Ron Furman reciting the 4-Way Test and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and Lou Divis giving the Invocation.

 

 

 

 

Harry Sharpe called Fran Turner on speakerphone and we all said “hello” and that we missed him.

 

 

Newsletter went out this morning.

 

 

Kiwanis is sponsoring a safety training program for road side clean-up teams on Apr 19 at 6:30 PM at the Warren Hotel.  Although this is after our Apr 7 Spring Roadside cleanup, it would be worthwhile for someone from Rotary to attend.

 

 

There will be a Rotary flash meeting tonight (Mar 15) at 5:15 PM at Bogey’s at the Shadowbrook Inn and Resort.

 

The next roadside clean-up will be Sat Apr 7.  Please sign up.

 

Please remember to make your Rotary Foundation share fund contribution before the end of June.

 

Mike will be going for the President Elect Training Symposium with Assistant Governor Norm Kelly on Mar 22-24 in New Jersey.

 

Due to the snowstorm, the Rotary Leadership Institute was totally canceled, and all monies refunded.  Please consider going to another one at one of the other scheduled sites.

 

Reminder to register and attend the Apr 22-24 Rotary District 7410 Conference at the Kalahari Resort.

 

There will be a Rotary Board of Director’s meeting on Tuesday March 20 at 7:30 AM at the Towne and Country Grille.

 

 

The next DTB event will be Sat Apr 28 and the committee will be meeting after today’s meeting.

 

 

The Annual District Golf Tournament will be on Apr 24 at Pocono Manor as part of District Conference. Cost is $35 pp.

 

Since several of the Grants Management Seminars had to be canceled due to the weather, they will do them on the Internet for anyone to review.

 

 

Club Foundation Chair Al Noble gave a brief history of the Rotary Foundation.  Our club has donated over $228K over its history.  Paul Harris founded Rotary in 2005 and was the 3^rd Pres. of Rotary. Rotary is now in 230 countries with 33K clubs.  Harris died in 1947 and lots of contributions were made in his memory. Thus, the Foundation created the Paul Harris Fellow to recognize individuals who donated $1,000 to the Foundation or had such a donation made in their name. Tunkhannock has 39 Paul Harris Fellows in our club of 70 members.

 

Al then presented a club-designated Paul Harris Fellow to Bill Ruark. Bill is a very generous donor to a variety of non-profit organizations in Wyoming County in addition to his work on the Boards of several of these organizations including the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen.  In recognition of his “Service above Self” activities, the Tunkhannock Rotary presented Bill with Paul Harris recognition.  AG Norm Kelly pinned Bill with his Paul Harris pin and gave him his certificate.

 

Bill thanked the club for this recognition. He remarked that he encourages his staff to follow his example of donating to worthwhile organizations rather than buying him presents on special occasions.

 

AG Norm Kelly (left), Bill Ruark and Fdn Chair Al Noble

 

President-Elect Mike Markovitz adjourned the meeting at 1:30 PM.

 

Raleigh Bloch, who is the chairman of the Board for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen, gave a brief overview of the history and the operation of the organization. The Soup Kitchen began operations in 2007. There have been over 97,790 volunteer hours worked as of the end of Dec.  They serve an average of 69 meals per day at a cost of $2.50 per meal. They have a $100K annual budget.  They get a lot of free stuff from Walmart, Weis Market and, in the past, Brick’s Market. 

 

The Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen is now run by a working Board of Directors. They have great volunteers and a great new facility.  Everyone thanks Rotary for its support.

 

They can now seat 70 people at one time, whereas they could not seat some families together in their old location. Before every meal, they gather with their guests and volunteers and pray.

 

The meal comprises a soup, 2 entrée choices, 2-3 veg, salad, and dessert.  There is no cost to the diner, although a basket is available for anyone who wants to make a donation.  

 

They have lots of food storage facilities now, which makes it more convenient for food preparation. They also have a walk-in freezer paid for by the Wyoming County Community Health Foundation.

 

They get lots of support from the churches, the community and businesses with new volunteers each month.

 

They always need volunteers, food and money.  One does not have to cook to volunteer as they need people to set up, clean-up and volunteers to pick up food at the markets. 

 

They will take no government funds at all to avoid any restrictions. They ask no questions and will give a meal to anyone who comes in.

 

After his presentation, Pres.-Elect Mike Markovitz presented Raleigh with a check for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen for $3,000.

 

Raleigh Bloch (left) accepts check from Pres.-Elect Mike Markovitz for the Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen