Recap from the Dec. 1, 2025, meeting.
Meeting run by President: Mark Roberts
Welcome to the online members: Melanie Alexander and Naomi DeWinter
Thought of the Day: Mark Roberts
Happy News/Announcements: All Happy News funds go towards our scholarship awards.
Jennifer Tobin- Lunch for a Cause benefiting Shop with a Cop at Addington on Wednesday, December 10th. The last day to RSVP is this Friday. Support a great cause and enjoy a delicious lunch. You are also invited for Grab and Go Chili on Friday, December 19th, from 3:30-4:40 pm. Take a tour and be entered to win a holiday gift basket. RSVP by December 12th.
Carlin Lawhead- It is always great to see the Hawkeyes beat Nebraska. Lindsey Phillips- During a family genealogy search, found that they are related to an Issac Newton. Lindsey’s kids got a kick out of that discovery.
Club Business:
- Gretchen Nolman will lead monthly ClubRunner training on the 3rd Monday at 3:30 pm and 7:00 pm starting in December. Training will be held on Zoom for anyone interested in learning more about ClubRunner.
- Please take a moment to provide feedback in the membership survey sent to club members today.
- Battle of the Bells Returns- Friday, December 12, from 9 am – 6 pm, we will be ringing the bell at Blain’s in another holiday battle to collect more donations than Kiwanis. Sign up for 1-hour shifts. If you are unable to join us for the Battle of the Bells, sign up to ring the bell at registertoring.com
- Follow the Rotary Club of Muscatine’s Facebook page, @MuscatineRotaryClub.
- We are looking for members to join the board. This is a great opportunity to get involved and give back.
- Bingo and Lunch- Our regular meeting on Monday, December 22nd, 12-1 pm will be a Bingo and Lunch fundraiser. Cards are $5 each. Every Rotarian who brings a guest receives a free card.
Presentation-
Officer Whtini Pena- Shop with a Cop
Officer Whitni Pena shared an update on the Shop with a Cop program. Whitni has been with the Muscatine Police Department for 18 years, including 15 years as a resource officer at Susan Clark Middle School. She began leading Shop with a Cop in 2013 through the Muscatine Police Officers Association.
The program partners with each school to identify 10 students who would benefit from this special holiday experience. Students receive an invitation letter and spend one-on-one time with an officer, choosing gifts for themselves. To give students a more personal experience, the event will now take place during the school day over three days and will include lunch, shopping, and visits from Santa and the Grinch.
Each child receives $150 to spend, with a few limits such as no weapons, ammunition, mature video games, or food. Barcodes are blacked out after purchase, so items cannot be returned. Since 2013, the program has supported more than 1,022 kids. Shop with a Cop is fully funded through community donations and events. To learn more or to give, contact Officer Whitni Pena at whitni.pena@mcsdonline.org
Next Meetings:
December 8- Carol Edeling – MUSCO
December 15- Mason Kopf- AmeriCorps RSVP program
December 22- Bingo and Lunch Fundraiser
December 29- No Meeting