SPOKES -- February 14, 2023

 
 
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February 14, 2023
 
 
Meeting started promptly at 7 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
 
Art Ayers gave the invocation today-Please keep Don Hodgman in your prayers.
 
We Welcome 3 Guests!
  • Shelly Ammerman
  • Alloyd Blackmon
  • Mak Roberts
 
4 Zoomers!
  • Dan Thompson
  • John Mellein
  • Brandon Hinz
  • John Mellein
 
Larry Wittkop led us in song today:
  • America the Beautiful
  • I Left My Heart in San Francisco
  • The Band Played on
  • Rotary Wheel
 
 
Announcements:
 
 
  1. Thank you to the 12 volunteers who filled food bags for Blessings in a Backpack last Thurs. 
  2. I have a membership application from Shelley Ammerman who works with Steve Larsen at The GoForth Group and is being sponsored by him.
  3. Our next service project will be the Feb. 25th Island Sit fund raiser for We Care Community Resource Center.  Thanks to the six members who have volunteered for the 2pm – 3pm slot.  I will send a reminder and check in details to all of you next week.
  4. The board will meet next week immediately following the Club meeting.
  5. Club business cards are on the table by the door for your use as well as Club Directory updates for new members and corrections recently made by the Brinkman’s to all member listings.
  6. Please submit your suggestions for Club Hero to Dan Thompson by March 17th.  Also be thinking of a candidate for Citizen of the Year which is an award that goes to a non-Rotarian who has made significant contributions to the community.
We received a nice Thank You from a student at Lake Michigan College.
 
Dave Campbell updated us that he ran into Carol Hodgman, Don had a second surgery on Sunday and they are cautiously optimistic! Continued prayers please.
 
Comedy Relief:
Jerry Gruber graciously filled in for Bob Copping today
 
Drawing
Angelica Won but did not win the pot!
Birthdays/Anniversaries
Jerry Portman- Wife will turn 29 again!
Mary Sue Lyon-Great Nephew is 9, sister-in-law will be 92 on Thursday
Tom Renner- Asked for Prayers for the First Responders
Happy Bucks
Mary Sue- Happy that Great Niece who attends MSU is safe.
GO GREEN
Amy Nichols daughter got engaged last weekend
Griffin Graham – Going to Breckenridge next week
Todd Heinrich-40 years ago he proposed and she said YES!
Haileigh Eddy- Very Thankful and Greatful that her MSU student daughter is OK. (so are we)
Mark Odland-Amy Nichols, Melinda Gruber and Angelica will be representing our club by attending President Elect Training in March
Shelly Ammerman- Mother is a member of the Rotary in Pennsylvania
 
G.B. Robinson introduces todays Presentation: Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Southwestern Michigan
Alloyd Blackmon:
  • Chief Executive Officer of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Michigan
  • She has served in various executive positions and leadership roles in community organizations and companies for more than 30 years.
  • Alloyd grew up in Northeast Indiana
  • Graduated with a Master’s of Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree from Purdue University
  • Joined Whirlpool in 1989 worked as a procurement director until her retirement in 2020
  • She oversees the Benton Harbor Promise
  • Emergency Shelter Services
  • Corewell Health’s Lakeland Center for Better Health
  • Serves on the board of Benton Haror Education Foundation since 2017.
  • Prior to joinging the  Club as CEO she served as a volunteer member of the Board of Directors since 2019.
  • She enjoys spending time with her children and giving back to the community
Mak Roberts
  • Site Director for South Haven Operations
  • Overseeing all South Haven Programming
South Haven has a on site Program at the School
  • Academics- Power Hour
  • Character and Leadership
  • Healthy Lifestyle
  • Students pay $5.00 to join
  • Schools pay whatever they can for each kid
Fully Inclusive Community for the Kids.
 
Mak Roberts:- South Haven Club
  • Club at the High School- Room A 101 is the Primary Space
  • Club at Baseline Middle School- Room across from the Orchestra
  • Altogether serves 60 to 65 kids
  • Safe after School
  • Physical, Mental, Emotional Wellness
  • Power Hour- Homework
Character and Leadership
  • Youth of the Year- 3 Candidates, Speeches, Panel of Judges to choose a winner
Healthy Lifestyles
  • Up and moving everyday
  • Mental Wellness-Check in Everyday
  • Encourage phone jail- phones put away
Summer Program:
  • 10 Weeks long
  • High School
  • Middle School
  • Reading Time
  • Weekly Library Trips
  • Teachers help steer kids to the club
 
Rila Camp Winner from South Haven- 2022
  • Had an awesome experience
  • Can’t Wait to go Back!
  • 3 Candidates this year!
Boys and Girls Club- Fundraise through Corporations, Individuals and Appropriations.
 
Mary Sue Lyon thanked Alloyd Blackmon and Mak Roberts for their presentation.  They were presented with a $25.00 gas card provided by Fleming Brothers Oil and Convenience Mart.  The meeting was adjourned promptly at 8 a.m. with the Four Way Test. Please join us next week, February 21, 2022 promptly at 7 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church.
 
Respectfully submitted: Sandra S. Reno