Club Meeting Featuring ShelterBox

Reverend David Stechholz, president, opened the meeting with the “Pledge

of Allegiance.” This was followed by an inspirational reading by Greg Greene entitled “Now is the time to come to the aid.” There were 18 participants in person and three connected by Zoom.

Introductions and Welcome to Guests: A warm welcome and greetings were extended to guests at the meeting. Marlene Katafias, who works for Title One, Wayne Kinney, who runs an event planning company, and Chris Matus who works for DTE, introduced themselves and expressed interest in joining the Rotary Club. Elliott Williams was also introduced as the special guest speaker on ShelterBox Disaster Relief Program.

Thank You Letters were received from the Schoolcraft College Foundation. Candance Evans and Matthew Fernandez from Vision 2025 sent a letter of appreciation. Lorena Nana Marnon and Liam Cresky sent thank you to the club for the scholarships awarded to them.

Happy Bucks: Bob Carris, Bill Friske, and Dave Stechholz who attended the President Elect Learning Session (PELS) reported happily that they sold more than 90 soccer balls at the conference to 30 different clubs (The most ever sold). It was reported that the LAMR club received a letter from Rotary International that the club needed to go through licensing from Rotary to continue selling the soccer balls. Bob Carris volunteered to contact Rotary International to address compliance issues since the balls were his idea. Nancy Darga expressed her gratitude to the club for sending her to PELS. She was asked to report on the conference at the next club meeting which she agreed to.

Claude Kendrick and Erin Dobbins reported that the special presentation by

member Nancy Darga given at the movie “Lost Rivers,” sponsored by the National Science Foundation on March 25th, was enlightening. Nancy thanked Erin and Claude for their attendance it meant a lot to her.

Announcements and Business: Erin Dobbins reminded members about a Rotary Taking Action for Peace Event called "Can we have a conversation on gun safety" at Henry Ford College in Dearborn on Friday, March 28th (8 AM – 2 PM). There was still some spots open for late registration.

Greg Greene reminded members regarding the Road Cleanup of Five Mile Road in Livonia on Saturday, April 5th.

Members were asked to consider signing up for the Clarenceville High School Career Fair on Tuesday, April 15th.

Bob Carris reported he is sending in the required report on the AAA Pregnancy Center Grant immediately.

A presentation on the ShelterBox Disaster Relief Program was given by Elliott Williams. Reverend Dave Stechholz presented Elliott with a giant

check for $5,000 from the Interact Club of Churchill High School. Due to spring break at the school, the students were unable to present the check themselves. The funds were raised through the Touch a Truck Event. Elliott expressed his gratitude on behalf of ShelterBox.

Elliott explained that ShelterBox Disaster Relief is an international NGO that started 25 years ago in the United Kingdom. It presently has a staff of 150 in which 21 are in the United States. Currently, there is an estimate that 120 million people are displaced in 100 countries worldwide from natural disasters or wars (highest number on record). ShelterBox has given aid to over 3 million people in 98 countries. Evolving their techniques for helping people they no longer use the green boxes to package their relief supplies, but bags which are easier to pack, ship, and cost-efficient. The aid kits include different materials depending on what area they are providing aid to. The majority of kits include water filters, kitchen sets, stoves, hygiene supplies, first aid kits, solar light that can charge phones and tents or tarps. They work with 128 volunteer ambassadors who make connections in impacted areas. Shelter Box has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

Nancy Darga