#922, Club Bulletin, Nov. 13, 2023

Recap from the November 13, 2023 Meeting.
 
Meeting Run by: President- Megan Francis
 
Thought of the Day: Naomi DeWinter
 
Online Participation: We continue to offer a hybrid meeting each week. Members are invited to attend via Zoom or watch the recorded presentation anytime.
Joining us online: Carol Webb, Melanie Alexander, Brad Bark, and Gretchen Nollman
 
Happy News/Announcements:  All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Megan Francis: iLLUMINATE by Crossroads is a holiday light fundraiser at Weed Park, open from Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve. We are looking for volunteers to help welcome guests, take donations, and guide traffic. Use the link to sign up to volunteer. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0444AAA828A2FF2-44869713-illuminate 
Jess Pfab- Please volunteer for ILLUMINATE to support our club president and Crossroads. It is going to warm your soul. Come to Coralville, Holiday Lights at the Lake, when you are done in Muscatine. Karen Cooney- Hawkeyes (ladies) are doing really well. She wore the shirt she won in a toss at a game. Karen also moderated the Mayor and City Council race in West Liberty. Karen also shared a relieved announcement of winning her school board seat and welcomed the other re-elected and elected members. She'll be attending the state conference this week. 
Steve Snider- MPD is a Nationally accredited program. They just received their 8th review and accreditation. The department met all standards and passed with flying colors! 
 
 
 
Club News:
 
  • Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine's Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
  • ACH forms are available for easy dues payment.
  • Mobile Food Pantry tomorrow (November 14).
  • Steve Snider presented a new club fundraising idea to host a Rotary Yard Sale during the city-wide garage sale. Members would bring items to sell and volunteer time. We are trying to gauge club interest. Let us know your interest.
Presentation-
Heidi Fields with Macy and Lucas Gantner
Salvation Army holiday fundraising events
 
Heidi shared why ringing the bell is near and dear to her heart and how she has expanded her dedication to the holiday tradition. Tradition rang as a theme. She started this tradition with her kids and extended it to family and friends. Her brother, Scott Hendricks, worked for the Salvation Army until he passed away a couple of years ago and shared the value of the Salvation Army mission every day. 
Why do bell ringers matter? When kettles are attended, you are more likely to get donations. The 2023 Red Kettle campaign will have new ways for the community to get involved. This year, bell ringers can now sign up for 1 hour slots. It is important to engage everyone. Muscatine is a kettle kommunity. This year's campaign includes Beyond the Bucket. Ten businesses joined the Red Kettle Kommunity, Beyond the Bucket campaign. They will donate a portion of the proceeds to the campaign from November 1 through December. 
Kettle's goal is $230,000 to support the programs, food pantry, Christmas support, after-school, summer camp, shelter, food, water, etc.
Macy Gantner elaborated on the Angel Tree Program: Christmas toys and a food bag for families. Over 300 families have registered, and over 500 children. Contact the Salvation Army to get an Angel Tree tag to provide a holiday gift for a kid.
 
Upcoming Meetings- November 20- Community Foundation of Greater Muscatine- Scholarship Overview. November 27- "Susie Clark," a Children's Book, December 4- Holiday Wines 101, December 18- Trinity Muscatine Foundation
 
Missed Monday's Meeting? Use the link below for a recording of the presentation.