Jim Hartley, chair again of this year’s Lenawee Cares campaign, spoke first and thanked those in the audience who have supported this great cause in the past – some of whom are members of the LC Pillars Club. Their contributions account for about 40% of the total monies raised each year, Jim said. Jim eluded to the history of this organization (a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation which was established in 2016 when the Lenawee United Way board and its members unanimously approved the alliance with the Foundation.)
This is the third year of the LC campaign. Lenawee Cares is the product of the former Lenawee United way having combined forces with the Lenawee Community Foundation, The new organization, Jim said, has been able to realize over $150,000 in operating costs alone within the first two years of the change! They have also increased the amount of money going to their non-profit agencies by 46% and distributed much quicker than in the past! Last year $533,000 was raised during the campaign that go to fund “basic needs in our community”, Jim said.
Jim listed some of the organizations that benefit from LC: Boys & Girls Club, Catholic Charities, Hope, Adrian Community Pre-Schools, Catherine Cobb, Habitat for Humanity, Associated Charities, Hospice, YMCA, Housing Help of Lenawee, Legal Services of South Central Michigan, Lenawee County Humane Society, Neighbors of Hope, Tecumseh Service Club, Child Care Network, Daily Bread, Share the Warmth, various food pantries, Adrian REA Literacy Center, ASO, Boy Scouts, Care pregnancy Center, Croswell, Adult Day Service, and others. Many of these organizations, Jim said, received significant grants up to $45,000! “All money stays in Lenawee County”, Jim said. Ten percent of contributions each year, he said, is endowed.
Jim said he get much personal satisfaction for serving on the board of Lenawee Cares. He has seen first-hand the needs so many kids have in this county and what this organization has done to address it. “We are blessed to have so many great agencies that much such a difference in peoples’ lives. Thanks to you all for your support!”
Sue Hammersmith also thanked those who give so generously to the cause and for what we are doing as a club. “People truly do live out ‘Lenawee Cares’ every day”, she added. “Until basic needs in our community are met, it will be difficult to fix any other issues in the community like education and job training. None of those matter when kids don’t have clothes on their back, proper nourishment and a roof over their heads. That’s what Lenawee Cares is all about”, she said.
The Lenawee Community Foundation also offers additional programs that include: Volunteer Center who is always looking for volunteers. They also produce a Resource Guide, Sue said. Another is their Lenawee Youth Council, deer processing efforts for hunters who have more than they need which will be processed for free and donated to various food pantries in the area, just to name a few. Sue closed by thanking all members for everything they do.
Thank You from Our DG – President Kathye read a nice note from Paul Sincock.
Comstock Christmas Tree Sales – Mark said that 160 trees have been sold thus far and they are $50@. Flyer/Order forms are still available.
International Dinner – International Committee chair, Rod Hokenson, eluded to what might be another international dinner in the not-too-distant future our club will host! Stand by!
Gift Presentation – Prez Kathye presented our veteran waitress, Shannon, with a beautiful chocolate apple for being such a great help at our meetings!
Sam Beauford Workshop Raffle – Tickets are $5@ or 5 for $20. Grand prize is a hand-made acoustic guitar by a 30 year craftsman from Allen Park valued at $5,000! Drawing is December 7th at Sauce Italian Grill. Be sure and get some.
Wreath Sales – Nate Smith was collecting money at today’s meeting. If you still owe for the ones you sold be sure and bring it in next week. Orders are going in now. Nate said that a little over 500 were sold last year and we’re a bit behind that number this year. Delivery date is November 20th. Ray Maxe has sold 80 while Kevin Martin sold 68!! Super effort, gents. BTW – We make about 50% of total wreath sales. Thanks to the Adrian Morning Club for helping out!
Launch Lenawee – REMEMBER: this is a collaborative with our club, the Lenawee Chamber, and Kiwanis. The first class is scheduled for October. Mark encouraged everyone to go to www.launchlenawee.org and consider becoming a business mentor. There is an application form on the site. Educating, mentoring, micro-loan and networking components to the classes. We need your expertise!
Upcoming Programs:
November 8 - Luke Barnett - Basics of Facebook November 15 - TBA
DATES TO REMEMBER
November 9 – Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff – Be sure and mark your calendars. Breakfast starts at 7am and will be held at the United Methodist Church on West Maumee Street in Adrian.
November 13 – Lenawee Bike Tour Wrap-up Meeting – Starts at 5pm ad Chip’s office at 114 S. Main Street.
November 21 – Wreath Delivery – Starting at 7am at Madison HS, anyone who can will be asked to help us unload the big semi with the wreaths we sold!
November 21 - Joint Kiwanis/Rotary Thanksgiving Luncheon – The Kiwanians will be the host this our club as well as the Morning Club year at LCS. More info coming. A sign-up sheet will be passed around again next week. You will be asked to pay in advance by the 21st.
December 9 – Annual Club Christmas Party – Hosted by the Murray’s. More info coming!
January 26 – Annual Celebrity Wait – A major fundraising project by the Adrian Morning Rotary Club and will be held at the Adrian Armory Events Center. More info coming!
Guests: Junior Rotarian Elizabeth; Tim Walberg and Dustin Krasny, guests of Chip Moore; visiting Morning Rotarians Jim Hartley and Sue Hammersmith; Shelly Allen, guest of Anne Sherman; Tara Dumas, guest of Yours Truly.
Fines – Kevin Keller fined these deserving members: Skrippy, Slater, Williams, Gage, Kojima, Soto, Philp, Behnke, Pizana, Pender, Chase (2), Mark M., Hammersmith, Lewis, Moore (2), Maxson, Sherman, Keller.
2018-19 RI President Barry Rassin wants Rotary members to Be the Inspiration
Rassin, a member of the Rotary Club of East Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas, unveiled the 2018-19 presidential theme, Be the Inspiration, to incoming district governors at Rotary’s International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA. “I want you to inspire in your clubs, your Rotarians, that desire for something greater. The drive to do more, to be more, to create something that will live beyond each of us.”
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Jim Hartley, chair again of this year’s Lenawee Cares campaign, spoke first and thanked those in the audience who have supported this great cause in the past – some of whom are members of the LC Pillars Club. Their contributions account for about 40% of the total monies raised each year, Jim said. Jim eluded to the history of this organization (a program of the Lenawee Community Foundation which was established in 2016 when the Lenawee United Way board and its members unanimously approved the alliance with the Foundation.)
during the campaign that go to fund “basic needs in our community”, Jim said.
Jim said he get much personal satisfaction for serving on the board of Lenawee Cares. He has seen first-hand the needs so many kids have in this county and what this organization has done to address it. “We are blessed to have so many great agencies that much such a difference in peoples’ lives. Thanks to you all for your support!”.JPG)
Launch Lenawee – 