Mark Murray introduced Trevor Cook, who currently heads up Lenawee Christian Ministries (LCS). He is actually in charge of the entire complex that sits on 75 acres on the corner of US223 and Wolf Creek Highway! He has a Finance Degree from the University of Iowa, an MBA from Wichita State University and prior to coming to Adrian four and a half years ago with his wife and 3 children he worked for a Fortune 500 company. He serves on the board of the First Church of the Nazarene and Lenawee United Way.
Trevor thanked Rod Pender for inviting him but a bit nervous when he didn’t show today! Trevor said he was blessed to work in Lenawee County and to have the support of so many people and to be able to work alongside of Ruth Merillat. “It’s been a busy year at the Christian Family Center”, he said. They are finishing their 25th year. Current active members at the Center, he said, total over 5,300 half of whom are involved in a church. The Center is a Christian ministry, Trevor said, serving adults and families and children who might not come from strong families currently.
Last year, four specific programs attracted over 1,500 children, their summer camps alone attracted 800. He said that without corporate sponsors, programming would not be offered at the level it is. The Center also serves over 600 seniors. They began a Wellness program a few years ago that provide members with 360 feedback assessments, biometric screenings, etc. Last year the Center conducted 1,700 personal training sessions!
Thanks to a sizeable gift this past year, the Center launched their Corner Park facility which was started in April and was fully completed in early July. Before this addition to the campus, the summer months were the slowest, Trevor said, “but now they are the busiest!” Some 7,500 guests took part this year. “It’s not just a water park; it’s an activity park where families actually come together and enjoy the ultimate back yard experience at a price people can afford”, he said.
Everything people do at the Center, Trevor said, revolves around 3 things: (1) improve the quality of peoples’ lives (2) strengthen families and (3) live out Christian values. The staff at the Center is very entrepreneurial – that is, always looking for ways to be better at what they do and benefit the community.
President-Elect Rod stepped in for President Mary and read a letter from the Adult Daybreak organization thanking us for our donation to their cause.
Rod Hokenson mentioned that his grandson, Peter Hokenson, and his teammate Kian Evans were named co-MVP's of their high school soccer team in the Monroe, Michigan – down river region. They have been teammates since they were five years old!
Youth Exchange Student – Laura Jensen is this year’s exchange student sponsored by our club as well as the AM Club. Should any member wish to involve Laura in their own family gatherings or trips, they should contact Robin Hinman from the AM Club directly. Laura’s host family currently, Robin said, is not a Rotarian and that she will be in need of another host family in the future. If you would like to host her you also asked to contact Robin.
Rotary Christmas Party – The Murray’s have graciously agreed to host this year’s party on Sunday, December 7th from 3-6pm.
Annual Bell Ringing to Benefit the Salvation Army – Kevin said that there will be two locations this year and they will be indoors! The sheet is full – thanks to all volunteers to serve on Friday, December 5th at the entrance to the Adrian Mall! Here’s the list and times:
10am-11am – Joe Satterelli
11am-12pm – Chip Moore
12pm-1pm – Steve Benz
1pm-2pm – Brent Mercer
2pm-3pm – Ray Maxe
3pm-4pm – Greg Dumars
4pm-5pm – Jim Philp
5pm-6pm – Masahiro Kojima
6pm-7pm – Theresa Soto
7pm-8pm – Rod Hokenson
IMPORTANT: The First shift person (Joe) is asked to pick up the bells and buckets from the Salvation Army office. The last shift person (Rod H.) will need to return the bucket, sign and bells to the Salvation Army office after 8pm.
Christmas Wreath Sale - We ordered 425 which includes 50 for the Tecumseh Rotary Club's sale. Congratulations! Wreaths will arrive before Thanksgiving.
Christmas Tree Project - The annual Christmas Tree Project in conjunction with the Youth Community Outreach group at Siena Heights University will begin about the same time and Greg Adams and Steve Benz agreed to co-chair this important project. This group will work half the time and club members will work the other have over the duration of the project – 2 weeks and 2 weekends. The proceeds collected will be split between the two groups as it has been in the past.
Joint Kiwanis/Rotary Joint Luncheon – Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 26 at 12 noon hosted this year by the Kiwanians at LCS. Get ready to buy some cheese!! THERE WILL NO MEETING ON THANKSGIVING DAY. If you are planning to attend, we need to know since we need to know soon.
District Conference – REMEMBER: Next year’s District Conference will be at the Grand Traverse Resort from April 30 – May 3, 2015.
Dates to Remember
November 13-15 – R.Y.L.A. Annual Conference at Schoolcraft College in Livonia. More info to come.
December 5 – Comstock Christmas Riverwalk - Show your holiday spirit by decorating a Christmas Tree to display in Comstock Park for the holidays! President Mary announced that the Interclub Council will be purchasing and decorating one of the 15 trees available. Clubs that are members of the council are: Civitan, Rotary Noon and AM, Lions Noon and AM and the YMCA. If your organization would like to purchase one as well simply contact Mary or Mark Murray. President Mary would like your feedback as to whether or not the club should purchase and decorate a tree ourselves. Please let her know what you think.
·Cost Per Tree: $50 (includes lights; tree proceeds benefit Civitan & Rotary)
·How It Works: Trees will be delivered and set up (including lights), to Comstock Park by December 2. All you have to do is show Adrian your holiday spirit by decorating your tree
with your family, friends and coworkers by Friday, December 5 at 5pm.
·Tree Lighting Ceremony: Join us during December’s Adrian First Friday at 7:30pm when all of the trees will turn on! Trees will be displayed beginning December 5.
December 31 –New Year’s Eve Gala Celebration – We need every Rotarian's involvement!!!! Everyone also needs to do their share selling tickets and getting sponsorships. Mark suggested that each of us take the very professionally developed and colorful promo cards and put them on the dashboards of our cars. He stressed that the only people that will attend this year’s event (2nd annual) will be the people WE ASK personally to attend. Green flyers were distributed listing potential sponsors this year. Rod Pender will lead the group soliciting sponsors while Kevin Keller will be in charge of ticket sales. Everyone also needs to do their share selling tickets and getting sponsorships. Remember to take the very colorful promo cards and put them on the dashboards of our cars.
Brett Mercer announced that his firm, Donna Baker & Associates will be contributing $25. Jim Philp, who said he would not be able to attend, contributed $100. Chuck Chase heard back from Clift Pontiac who will be contributing $500.
GUESTS:Bill Gross and Chad Gurica guests of Yours Truly; Barry Rienink, guest of Mark Murray; Chris Howard, guest of Jim Philp; Junior Rotarian, Zack.