Redwood Empire Food Bank – 2nd Wednesday of the month.  The next one is November 8th – 5 PM – 7 PM

SRJC Rotaract Fundraiser – You can make your donations here: Click here to donate

SRJC and Sonoma State Rotaract members support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. If you would like to donate, you can make a donation here.

For more details and additional events, see the Announcements section below.

More socials, projects, & events coming soon!

Rotary Announcements

See the Announcements section below.

Opening the Meeting

As smooth jazz played over the speakers, President Ann Gospe opened up the meeting and called up Natasha Perez to give the pledge, 4-way test and opening thought. Natasha was undaunted by the sounds of muted trumpets and keyboards playing as she led us in the pledge as Sargeant of Arms, Robert Pierce, scrambled to get the music turned off. I must say, saying the pledge to jazz is about as American as it gets.

At any rate, the music was cut and Natasha powered through the 4-Way Test and added the fifth “To have fun.” This fun thing might be catching on.

Natasha then shared a couple of inspiring quotes by Coretta Scott King and Mother Theresa. Solid choices, if you ask me.

Visiting Rotarians and Guests

We had some distinguished guests and Rotarians this week. First, our keynote speaker, Denys Andrushchenko was visiting all the way from the Rotary Club of Cherkasy Centre, Ukraine. Two members of the Santa Rosa East-West Club, Hap Culp and Dan Lambert came by to show support.

We had many guests eager to listen to Denys speak. They included Marc Burchill’s better half, Mel and Dick Allen’s better half, Trisha. Which got me thinking, why are we settling for the lesser half of these couples in our club? Let’s talk to Mel and Trisha about switching places asap. Ray Giampoli introduced former member Matt Everson, Paul Hamilton introduced former member Blaine Goodwin, Diane introduced us to her friend since the 8^th grade, Cindy Denenholz, which makes me wonder why she’s been holding out on us for so long. Karen introduced her lesser half Dennis Ball and his mother, Dada Ball who was visiting all the way from British Columbia. (At least that’s what it looks like my notes say. I could be wrong. Sue me.)

Ann introduced her friend Emily a bit later and then was forced to introduce our Foreign Exchange Student Isidora and former outgoing exchange student Marcus Stephens. It sounded like there might be a fine coming but I’m not sure. Someone might have to follow up on that.

Sunshine

The Sunshine report was full of good news as it was reported that Rich Rossi’s wife had successful cancer surgery and Matt Everson shared that his son took his first steps last week as he continues to recover as well. Yay for good news!

Opportunity Drawing

Heather Thurber was handling the raffle and since the money was stolen from me last week, it was a new pot this week. It should be noted that we finally found a way to keep Ted from winning. We just run out of raffle tickets before he arrives. So, without Ted in the running it was anyone’s game to win and Matt Everson’s number was called. And wouldn’t you know it, he waltzes into the club meeting and pulls out the blue marble winning himself a whopping $31. We start anew next week!

Announcements

Debi again something about a raffle basket that you can purchase tickets for $20 to go towards a Paul Harris and that the Club will match every dollar you spend up to $300. The club will also be matching any online gifts which is great because I’ve been giving $15 a month to polio for a few years now. I tried to stop it once but the website is always broken. Go figure. Anyway, donate some money, get it matched and get a chance to win a gift basket.

Past President Ray Giampoli reminded us that the Redwood Gospel Mission is collecting coats. Bring a coat to a meeting or let Ray know and he’ll pick it up. He then took off his coat and donated it right then and there.

Nona Lucas plugged the meat auction/social on November 2^nd from 5:30 to 7:30pm at the Kim Murphy Party Pad/Ranch. You can RSVP to Nona if you plan to attend.

Dan Balfe reminded us all that this past week was World Polio Day (October 24^th) and to pull out the wad of cash in your pocket and donate it to the polio pail. I did, even if Rotary keeps drafting me every month.

Finally, President Ann mentioned that there was a shrimp fork and a salad bowl and tongs left at the Gospe Manor. I’m thinking of claiming both because I never know how to eat shrimp. Maybe a need a fancy fork.

Guest Speaker

The moment we had all been waiting for finally arrived. Jeff Gospe and Curt Groniga gave a brief history of how our club and the East-West Club got involved in helping Ukraine back in February of 2022. They thanked the Rotarians for exhibiting “Service above Self” by supporting the Ukrainian relief efforts. They also thanked the East West Club Foundation for it’s support in handling the donations.

Denys Andrushchenko was introduced and he is the past president of the Rotary Club of Cherkasy-Centre. He’s a former foreign exchange student who somehow was sent to West Virginia and shared how important that time was to him.

He then recounted the start of the war and how it was 11 days after his son, Luke, was born. He shared photos of his family hiding in the basement of their building along with others and shared photos of the bombed out structures around his city.

He shared about his Rotary Club and how Rotary was growing as more people want to help. His club just celebrated its 20^th anniversary.

He then highlighted the projects that they were able to do with our support. First they made 6,000 first aid kits with tourniquets to distribute to those who needed them. Then they distributed 140 generators to ensure that people had heat and electricity. Now they are raising funds for batteries before winter hits.

They will also be raising funds for a Children’s Trauma Relief Program that will help the children affected by the ravages of war cope and heal.

Denys then answered questions and gave out acknowledgement plaques and read a letter from the president of the Rotary Club of Cherkasy Centre.

Finally, Ray Giampoli worked his auction magic and auction off a Ukrainian First Edition stamp. Kim Murphy graciously bought it for $500. The club then presented Denys with a $5,000 check and various club members also pledged significant donations as well.

Program Slides