PRESIDENT ELECT BOBBY LARSON welcomed us to the meeting, and we enjoyed a lunch of burgers and brats. New member DANIEL ALLEN led the Pledge as well as the “Star Spangled Banner” while being accompanied by KHRIS DODGE on the piano.
BOBBY let us know of some sad news. JAN GREEN passed away on September 10th. There aren’t any services known at this time. We had a moment of silence in JAN’s honor.
JOE DANISZEWSKI offered the inspiration. Let there be peace on earth. Our club has two Peace Poles, one at Literacy Connects and the other at Reid Park Zoo.
DAN KALM welcomed our guests. Then BOBBY noted that Blanton Belk, who won the 4 Way Test this year from our club and is also 100 years old, said that it’s the best award that he’s ever received. Sadly, Blanton’s wife Betty passed away recently.
We had a fun surprise and BRUCE RICHARDSON/Truly Nolan sponsored the cookies however we received cupcakes as a special treat. They were delicious.The program was very meaningful as we picked the charity who will receive proceeds from the Car Show for the next three years as well as the two runners up who will receive proceeds next year.
Habitat for Humanity was the first to speak. They’ve been in Tucson for 45 years and have built over 530 homes since 1980. The families who receive the home contribute a minimum of 250 hours to the build and ultimately own the home when it’s finished. Each year a home ownership contributes $9,500 to their net wealth. If they won, our donation would buy three homes in the Angel’s Crossing Neighborhood.
Amphi Foundation was the next to speak. The ECHO (Educational Community Home Outreach) Center provides after school programming, food and workshops to a significant group of Tucson residents. 98% of students live below the poverty level in this community. 71% are chronically absent with 90% missing more than 9 days of school. There is a return of $15 for every $1 invested. The ECHO Center has seen a 10% increase in test scores and 85% of caregivers have found a better workplace situation.
Compass Affordable Housing offers housing stability through financial support, job connections and food assistance. $5,200 transforms one life. Our support would help 50 families remain stable and offer a better chance for future success.
Youth on Their Own (YOTO) supports high school youth who are homeless. Youth who are experiencing homelessness are 45% more like to remain homeless after high school. YOTO serves 1,500 youth each year. The youth receive a financial incentive to stay and do well in school. In addition to financial assistance, YOTO offers basic needs (hygiene, food, etc.) to the youth as well as guidance. They have a 93% graduation rate from high school.
Interfaith Community Services is led by TOM MCKINNEY. Their goal is to keep people and families in their homes and prevent eviction. They serve 60,000 clients each year with the help of 750 volunteers. They’ve been in Tucson for 40 years and offered $1 million in 2024 through the Emergency Financial Services to keep people housed. Tom mentioned that 50% of the homeless population is over 50 years old.After the five presentations, we voted online by scanning a QR code with results promised by the end of the meeting.
It was great to see BOB ERNSTEIN who was celebrating his birthday. Did you know that he and DOT KRET were born in the same hospital in New Jersey? JOE DANISZEWSKI was also celebrating his birthday. He offered a tribute to JAN GREEN who he saw just a couple of days before JAN passed. DIANA MADARAS was celebrating her birthday and noted that she became a true Rotarian after she accepted the role as Service Project Chair for our club. When she asked for a little help, 18 of our members offered to step in.
JIM MURPHY presented GREG DURNAN with his blue badge. Apparently this was long overdue; the cause - scheduling problems. Congrats to you GREG!We held a 50/50 raffle and the person who was taking notes for me didn’t win. JIM MURPHY was inducted into the Salpointe High School Hall of Fame. Nice work JIM!
BOBBY offered a few announcements:
- Check the website or printed bulletin for upcoming events and projects.
- He showed a few Red Badge Selfies.
- GORDY SIEWERT reminded us of the first Agave Fellowship event.
- BRUCE JACOBS offered up to $1,000 matching points towards any of our club’s members Paul Harris and KURTIS DAWSON did the same. Now’s the time to make a donation to The Rotary Foundation and have your money doubled.
- DAVE WHITE reminded us to sell car show tickets and BOBBY noted how simple it was to make the request with a link to donate. BOBBY sold 90 tickets doing just that.
And the winner is…Youth on Their Own! Interfaith Community Services and Amphi Foundation were the two runners up.
JOE D finished the meeting with a toast. “Sto lat” which means 100 years in Polish and is used to express well wishes for a long life and good health. Sto lat!
