Thursday June 15, 2023

For Those Attending in Person

Buffet Lunch

(Zoom Meeting Opens at 11:45)

(Link Sent Thursday Morning)

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Western Lake Superior Habitat for Humanity in Duluth serves low-income people with two affordable home programs. Habitat builds new homes and adapts older homes so people can continue to live at home, where they want to stay. People live longer, with a higher quality of life, in their own homes. Currently, Habitat is laying the groundwork for the new Floodwood home we will build in 2023. Their goal is to provide more homes in 2024, provide more existing home adaptations, and continue to grow.

 

 

By Traci Marciniak

 

Rotary Club 25 members met in the Holiday Inn’s Great Lakes Ballroom on a pleasant, but not warm day. President Barb Perrella rang the bell and called the meeting to order. Rotarians sang the “Star Spangled Banner” and recited the Rotary Four-Way Test.

 

     

President Barb Perrella  

Vinod Gupta and Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen recite the Pledge of Allegiance

Past Assistant Governor Al Makynen gave the day’s reflection and wisely shared that if one individual chooses to make a difference and joins with other like-minded people, anything can happen. Rotary is a perfect example of the power of joining together for the good of everyone.

 

President Barb Perrella made her way back to the podium and reported on Dan Dock, who was too humble to share that he was recently recognized as a Grandma’s Marathon Hall of Famer for his 37 years of volunteering at the finish line.

Congratulations Dan Dock!

 

Past President Bob Bennett gave a eulogy for his friend and former Rotarian Charles “Charlie” Grubb. Charlie passed away on his birthday at age 84. Charlie was a lifelong Duluthian and proud Rotarian, with a record of 100% attendance. A moment of silence followed. Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom let the club know that Dick Swenson’s wife, Cecile, recently passed away.

 

Past President Bob Bennett

Past Assistant District Governor Phil Strom

 

President Barb Perrella thanked everyone who participated in the roadside clean up and gave a special thank you to Past President Michelle Buria for hosting a get-together on her deck after all the hard work was done.

Let’s hear it for our Rotary of Duluth Club #25 Roadside Cleanup Warriors!

 

Jerry Thoreson reminded club members that Jeff Fifield will be taking free headshots at next week’s meeting. Members are welcome to bring their spouses or partners and get a photo together as well. Rob Hofmann has a block of tickets for Rotarians to attend the opera on Friday night. Club members were reminded to RSVP for breakfast at the Kitchi Gammi Club on Friday. President-elect Gary Melander encouraged club members to RSVP for President’s night on June 22.

President-elect Gary Melander

 

Chair of the Day Geiger Yount

Chair of the Day Geiger Yount introduced CHUM (Churches United in Ministry) board member, Marty Sozansky (spouse of Bill Sozansky) and John Cole, CHUM’s Executive Director. This year represents the 50-year anniversary of CHUM. On June 4, 1973, ten church leaders got together with the attitude of “We could do more if we worked together.” Over the years, CHUM has served countless individuals and has expanded services to include: a food shelf, street outreach, drop-in center, shelter, Steve O’Neill apartments, St. Francis apartments, chaplaincy services, a warming center, and advocacy efforts.

 

The regionally famous Rhubarb Fest (which could have easily been the Zucchini Fest) began in 2005 and is scheduled for June 24 this year. Volunteers are always needed.

 

There are currently 40 congregations that are part of CHUM. In response to the needs of the homeless in our community, CHUM is launching their “Stepping On Up” campaign which includes the creation of Living Zones and additional outreach ($300,000), 100 additional shelter units ($8 million), and the construction of 200 tiny homes ($25 million).

The 50/50 drawing was won by President Elect Gary Melan……just kidding!  Past President Bob Bennett was the lucky winner!