Club Meeting Featuring Dan Hooker, Samaritan's Purse

Our meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and an Invocation by Bob Carris. Happy Bucks were collected by Sharon Pommerville. Some notable Happy Bucks came from Nancy Darga, a polio survivor. She shared that when she purchased a life insurance policy at a young age, the policy would only insure her until age 28. Today is her birthday, and she has now turned 74. Congratulations, Nancy!

Tammy Bonifeld is excited about the upcoming Mackinac Island Grand Experience, which will be held May 6 through May 9. She is especially enthusiastic about the improvements to the hotel, marking the completion of an 11-year renovation project. The committee for the 2027 District Conference has planned many wonderful experiences for guests. Tammy reminded everyone to register now while discounted room rates are still available.

Members were reminded that Kids Coalition Against Hunger will be held this Saturday at St. Edith Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Our club's World Polio Day fundraising event, the Spaghetti Dinner, will be held on the 28th at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church on Farmington Road. Dinner will be served from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tammy reminded everyone to arrive by 4:00 p.m. and not to forget to bring a dessert. Genitti's will once again provide all of the grated cheese for the spaghetti dinner.

Members were also reminded about the Foundation Dinner in Southgate on November 11. Several members have already signed up to attend. If you have not yet registered, please contact Tammy. We currently have two tables reserved.

Our speaker for the day was Dan Hooker from Samaritan's Purse. Samaritan's Purse was established in 1970 by Billy Graham and is now led by his son, Franklin Graham. The organization's volunteers respond wherever there is a need. Most volunteers are retirees, with an average age of 68. They work on disaster recovery and rebuilding projects before moving on to assist other communities in need.

Recently, volunteers have worked with the Navajo Nation following severe spring flooding. They have also traveled to Florida and Alabama to assist communities affected by hurricanes this year.

In addition to rebuilding efforts, Samaritan's Purse operates a program called Operation Christmas Child, in which organizations fill shoeboxes with small gifts and toys for children. The shoeboxes are wrapped and distributed to children around the world. 

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Paluchniak

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