“Happy Ground Hog Day Eve!” to all of the 17 present at today’s breakfast meeting!
By the time that President Cindy Sullivan officially opened the meeting, there was so much conversation that it took a while to focus the Club’s attention, but the Pledge of Allegiance and invocation by Jack Proffitt helped to settle into a rhythm for the morning.
Lieutenant Governor Bill Reaves distributed “anonymous” surveys to all members to glean information about strengths and opportunities that might be useful in refining future directions, reminded us that today is “Optimist Day” and we should be wearing Club gear or paying fines for not doing so, and suggested that we practice for “Big Brothers/Big Sisters” annual bowling fundraiser coming soon. (See photo above.)
Bill also reminded us of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Build Day this Saturday, February 3 and Jeff Gauger expanded on this publicity with high praise for the GCI (Genesee Career Institute), whose faculty and students prepared the lumber for this Build Day! (See photos of the work crew and their production below.) We hope to have a large turnout at Signs by Crannie for the Build and look to provide 50 more beds for area kids!
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is getting additional support in the form of a “Moose”-sponsored Spaghetti Dinner on April 7 and another Build Day scheduled in May.
It was good to have Mike Butts looking good and reporting improvements, and we missed Jim Reigle because of his wife’s “reverse shoulder replacement” surgery.
Plans and options regarding SummerFest and other fundraising additions were bandied about in today’s meeting, and Jeff Dennings tried to take the “Progressive 50/50 Pot” of $463 but missed drawing the Queen of Diamonds again.
Rex Vernon returned to speak to us about events of the past few years and recent developments at Michigan School for the Deaf and noted that the School is rebounding from pandemic constrictions and restrictions with a current population of 105 students and a developing emphasis on early learners (Newborn – 3 years). He also informed us about the advantages, limitations, and access issues regarding cochlear implants and the importance of focusing on early language development rather than deafness in our sociocultural emphasis. Thanks, Rex! (and Steve Schlott, who arranged for Rex’s presence).
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”
