Mick opened the meeting at the Pyramid Event Venue at 12:15pm and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed with the Four-Way Test.
Guests
None
Student Rotarians
Happy Bucks
Ken - has been learning how to use his new "smart" car. A note about Dean... Ken worked with Dean for a long time. He recalls Dean's interview where he said his first task was to learn the name of all the students. Ken donated $50 to the foundation in Dean's memory
Ed - Here because his neighbor can take care of his mom
Becky - Her granddaughter was born recently in Germany. They got special passes to come home and next week Becky gets to see her granddaughter for the first time. This will also be her daughters first Christmas home in 3 weeks
Jim - Tested negative for covid today! They have been very busy at the hospital recently, with over 100 staff testing positive. However, none of them have gotten covid while at the hospital. So their precautions at the hospitals are working to prevent transmission within the hospital between doctors and patients and vice versa.
Fines
None
Birthdays
None
CLUB BUSINESS - Announcements and committee reports
We heard background speeches from Ashley G and Lauren W
Paul Harris Award - Brian Watson, his 2nd
Annual elections next week. The recording secretary and president elect positions are open. Scott T has volunteered for president elect. Recording secretary
PROGRAM
Dave Wendt, Larry (didn't catch last name)- Adopt a Family Program
Lake Mills Rotary Club has been a long time supporter of the Lake Mills Optimist Club
The Optimist Club of Lake Mills started in 1988. The program started off as a santa visit with a small gift to kids. They did this event every year up until 2000. Then they brainstormed a way to reach kids who needed the most help. In 2001, adopt a family program was created. A similar program is Christmas Neighbors, but that is a county program. The adopt a family program from the optimist club only covers the Lake Mills school district They receive applications from families in need, partnering with the food pantry and St Vincent. The need each year is dependent on the economy, so they expect this year to be high in need. There are bins around the community for people to donate toys for the program. They disseminate the wish lists among local business and organizations so people can "adopt a family" and buy directly off of their wish list. They also include about a $50 meal basket which will contain both turkey and ham this year. They also work with the junior optimist club to wrap the gifts before distributing them. They expect more entries but currently have 33. There is a mix of "need" items like clothing, as well as toys.
The Lake Mills Optimist club had many fundraisers cancelled this year, but also had some projects cancelled. They are doing fine financially and are not in greater need than in past years.
Aaron G suggested that the community foundation and rotary club match funds and cover the meal portion of this event.
Individual donations can be written to the Lake Mills Rotary Foundation.
