Newsletter – August 1, 2024

August 2, 2024

The photos above and below are from today’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace bed assembly, where Club members Steve Schlott and Greg Hilliker (along with Dan Carville) completed the 4 beds in about 1 hour and 10 minutes, prompting a discussion of a pay raise to 3 times what we are now getting paid! (No change to the SHP bottom line!) In this morning’s meeting, members members were reminded of the  “Build Day’ dates of August 10 (at Westside Church on Pasadena in Flushing) and September 14 (Flushing Presbyterian Church at Carpenter & McKinley Roads), and Dan Crannie noted that he is generating some momentum among  Rotary members for sponsoring another Build Day. Great news!

After the members (16 attending today) pledged to the (invisible?) flag in the meeting room at Liberty, and Jack Poffiitt said a quick prayer before breakfast and announcements:

Member Mike Butts is improving and at a rehab facility in Linden, open to seeing familiar faces.

Jeff Dennings announced the need for considering some bylaw changes, and a vote will take place on the 15th in our regular meeting. President Cindy Sullivan also stated that our annual vote for Optimist of the Year will occur in that meeting, so be sure to attend.

Karen & Dana Monville gave us some information last week regarding the possibility that our health care plan might reward us for volunteering (through partial reimbursement of as much as $100 for Optimist Club dues). Have yor health plan info handy and Click Here to see if you may qualify. (If your plan is a Medicare Advantage Plan or Supplemental plan and mentions “RenewActive” or “Onepass”, it is very likely, per my phone conversation with the Grouper contact at the phone number on the landing page.)

Ed Ashford paid his second visit to the Club and is already acting like a member in contributing ideas for improvements and generating fines!

Joe Farah ran into member John Losinski  and Kathy at Churchill’s and John is doing well and continuing to enjoy life (obviously!).

Treasurer Jeff Dennings reported that all the money that the Club  has taken in has been donated (exactly why we are here!) by our Board.

Discussion continues with Lt. Gov. Bill Reaves about how best to support the Downtown Club in its efforts to revitalize and direct its community impact.

Cherrylean Givens generated her first fine this morning (!) helping expand the “50/50 Progressive Pot”  to $615, but even money “wise guy” Rich Lewis has occasional disappointments, and the Pot grows!

Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”