Spoke Newsletter – Aug 18, 2022

TODAY

PAM MARTINEZ of the Smiley Library Youth Services will speak to the Club about how A.K. Smiley Public Library remains not only relevant but important to the lives, educations, and enrichment of the youth of Redlands and surrounding areas.

LAST WEEK

Past President VICTORIA MARSHALL spoke about the history and initiatives of the Beloved Foundation. Born from her own experiences with cancer, VICTORIA and others expanded the fundraising scope of Beloved Couture Bridal though creation of the Beloved Foundation. The Foundation exists to provide tangible support – rent, mortgage, gas, food cost, and the like – to families who are impacted by terminal cancers of any kind afflicting any family member of any age or sex. The usual grant from the Foundation is for $2,500.00, and their clients are most often referred by social service agencies within the medical professions. After seven years as a backyard function, last year’s PINK Party moved to the Burrage Mansion to accommodate more guests and revelers and raised $50,000.00. The second PINK Party at the Mansion will take place on September 17th with the goal to fund the continuing initiatives of the Foundation. The event on the 17th will feature food and beverages, music and dancing, opportunity drawings and silent auction items, a fashion show featuring SHEILA SIMONE’S designs, and a subscription-only Whiskey Club tasting (“Have a Drink! Support the PINK!”). For more information, tickets, and sponsorship information, go to www.belovedfoundation.com or talk to our beloved VICTORIA MARSHALL.

NEXT WEEK

JAMES BENANTI is currently a first-year, first-time Assistant Principal at Redlands High School. For the previous 19 years, he was the Director of Instrumental Music at RHS. More relevant to his presentation next week, however, concerns his current position as President of the U of R’s Town & Gown. He’ll tell us all about that august body’s activities and intent, and perhaps he’ll favor us with a solo trombone recital.

WHERE ARE YOU SERVING?

There are several openings on several important Club committees, most notably Youth Services, Membership, and International Service. Committees, and many of these open slots are listed on the back middle panel of the printed ~ along with the members who chair each committee. We need every Redlands Rotarian, regardless of mental or physical infirmity, to advance the Club’s initiatives in these important areas. Otherwise, what good is the Rotary motto?

POLIO PLUS, PART DEUX

Polio Plus contributions are counted toward Paul Harris Fellow funds. Additionally, the Gates Foundation continues to offer a “2-for-l” match for your donation to Polio Plus. Imagine your $100.00 turning into $300.00! It’s the “anti-inflation”! Contribute now on the RI Foundation website (www.endpolio.org/donate) or go see CAL for assistance, direction, and insight.

REPRESENT RCOR!

If you want to show our colors at any event, Rotary and otherwise, we now have an online store where you can buy merchandise branded with the RCOR logo AND donate to the Redlands Rotary Foundation. The website is redlandsrotary.itemorder.com. If you want something you don’t see on the site, talk to JIM NOLIN and we’ll see if we can put it on the site. You’d better hurry, though! The store will only be taking orders until September 9th so we can deliver the shirts, hats, and bags at the October 6th meeting. Check it out!

CALENDAR

October 8 – The black-tie optional District 5330 Foundation Gala will take place in Rancho Mirage from 5:30 to 9:00 PM. Come see and hear the keynote speaker, Rotary International ‘s first woman President, JENNIFER JONES. Her presence at our Gala presents a seldom-offered opportunity to experience an RI President “in the flesh”. Sign up at www.district5330. org/calendar-and-events

October 21 – Human Trafficking Awareness seminar in Palm Desert from 2:00 to 5:00 PM followed by a hosted mixer. Sign up at www.district5330.org/calendar-and-events for this, too.

TODAY IN AWFUL HISTORY

In 1986, the HOWARD STERN Radio Show premieres in Philadelphia PA on WYSP 94.1 FM.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

A huge thank you goes out to Past President MIKE BOSMAN for being such a good sport last week! Between the two of us, we were able to benefit two great charities AND provide some entertainment for the crowd.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Sunrise Board Meeting. It was fun to see familiar faces and reconnect, as well as meet some new folks. It made me so proud to be part of a larger family that is so welcoming and willing to share ideas and work together. As it turns out, their club has been wanting to do a joint fundraiser with our club for years! We will make it happen this year. Stay tuned.

Coming soon… we are working toward organizing several fabulous events for the year. We will need help for coordinating the events, so please join a subcommittee if you feel so inclined. This club works because we do.

Editor – Jim Nolin – Edition No. 7, August 18, 2022