Sixteen Optimist Club members and our 2 guests shared breakfast this morning and listened to Joy Peterman and Randy Helmstrom (seen in photo above with Jeff Dennings) from Salvation Army speak about their ongoing work in the face of 4 times their monthly calls for help. Salvation Army programs operate year-round, including their Emergency/Disaster Relief and L.I.F.E. (Living Intentionally For Excellence) Center at 1475 Coldwater Rd. in Flint, focused on youth with gym, music, judo, tech classes and programs, and MTA contracts for transportation. This year, though, with increased demand for support, as well as consolidation of Genesee and Owosso territories, they are seriously hoping and grateful for great community support for their holiday drives. They sponsor a “Christmas Town” opportunity for visitors to schedule a time slot and walk through a “historic village” setting with elaborate decorations and music to be gifted with family Christmas presents and items. Their philosophy is one of open hands, articulated as “called to be rivers rather than reservoirs.” As Mic Goulet reminded us, Club members will be at the ELGA Credit Union on December 5 to help with Bell-Ringing.
Bill Hentgen’s birthday is this week, but we have to send his card rather than sing because of his absence today.
Jack Proffitt passed a fine against all who were not celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary this week, John Farah fined Jack for failing to recognize that he was “not old enough to have that opportunity”, Jeff Dennings targeted Greg Hilliker with a fine because of the “Bucky” nickname assigned by grandchildren, “Acting TailTwister” Rich Lewis stood in for Jack Medemar who was out looking for deer but noted that he did not get one because he was “greedy for the 8-pointer”, and Bill Reaves paid a fine for being “unusually quiet”.
Bill noted that he may be tired from all the family gatherings and concern regarding his sister’s cancer and related treatment. (Addendum: Bill’s sister has passed and her obituary can be found HERE.)
John Farah won the chance at today’s drawing for the “50/50 Progressive Pot” of $308 but chose the King of Hearts rather than the Queen of Diamonds.
An informal “Stammtisch” gathering is planned for today at Tenacity at 3:30 p.m..
We hope you all have (had) a rich, warm, and wonderful Thanksgiving, and coordinator Jack Proffitt would like for you to bring your wrapped gifts for MSD Santa Breakfast to the next meeting.
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”