With Coronavirus surging, large and small businesses closing, and people laid-off, life can feel overwhelming. One can easily feel insignificant when facing overarching societal needs.
There are no easy answers, of course, but, in times like these, I am particularly grateful to be a Rotarian. In response to our community’s food insecurity, our club donated $75,000 to the Omaha Food Bank. When we heard our adopted Crestridge kids have larger warm clothing and other basic comfort issues, we collected $2,215. In addition, we ring bells, we package meals, give scholarships and show up when we see others in need. We may not be able to solve life’s larger problems, but we make a difference by banning together to give what we can.
Today I ask you to remember our servers at Anthony’s. Anthony’s restaurant has been harboring our club since around 1980, longer than some of our members have been alive. On the front lines, our wait-staff has risked their health to keep us fed. Now, while we are not meeting in person, our servers suffer, their income reduced as they struggle to feed their own families. I ask that you please remember them over the holidays by giving $17, the price of one lunch, to thank them for caring for us.
Thank you. These united efforts to help others is what makes us the best!
Last week Intl. Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, Jared Bakewell, recognized Deanna Fuller as a Paul Harris Fellow +3 for her donations of $4,000. The Rotary Foundation supports projects around the world to promote peace, literacy, health, and disease eradication. Congratulations and thank you!
With covid cases rising in Omaha, we know some folks are trying not to go out as much. If you need help with grocery pick-up (or other errands), please reach out to Jennifer. We have Rotarians who are willing to help with this. All will be confidential.
As we all know restaurants and restaurant workers have been especially hard-hit by the pandemic. Even though we are not meeting in-person right now, we still want to provide those hard-working folks with their year-end gifts from us.
Please consider donating the cost of a lunch (or more!) toward this effort. Also, please consider ordering take- out or purchasing gift cards to help Anthony's through this tough time.
Thank you generous Rotarians! Our Keep the Kids Warm Comfort drive raised $2215 which will be used for coats, warm clothes, and other supplies Crestridge students need this year.
Another successful year of bell-ringing is in the books! Thanks to all who volunteered. We will let you know the totals raised at an upcoming meeting. Please see all our photos on Facebook.
Congratulations to Kevin Story who won $770 last week! We will spin for prizes for the rest of the meetings in December. Sign up to play in January now.
This year it will have a twist to allow those on Zoom and in the room to play and win.
Rules:
1.) You must be signed up and paid before the 1st Thursday meeting of the month. Pay online at suburbanrotary.org CLICK HERE.
2.) There will be one spot for half the pot and the others will be covered in a variety of prizes including gift cards and free lunches.
3.) One winner of half the pot per month. If half the pot is not won in any given month, the RISK pot will continue to grow until it is won.
4.) Once the pot is won, we will give away the smaller prizes until the contest begins again in the next month.
Have fun and help us do some FUNdraising for our great Suburban Rotary Programs.
The Suburban Rotary Board of Directors made a decision to suspend hybrid meetings through the end of 2020 due to community spread of covid. We will look to resume them in January if the situation improves. The Board will consider this decision at their 12/21 Board meeting. We hope to see you online every week!
Please plan to join us every Thursday at noon for our regular meeting. The meeting will open at 11:45 for greetings. The meetings will start at 12:05.
Consider making your annual donation to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. This money comes back to us in three years in the form of Global and District grants to spend on our projects. Your donation goes around the world to promote literacy, fight disease, and encourage peace. Every Rotarian Every Year asks that you consider a gift of at least $100 to the Rotary Foundation.
If you have never given, Suburban Rotary will match your first $100 to the Foundation giving you $200 toward your Paul Harris Fellowship (cumulative giving of $1000). Rotary Foundation Committee Chair, Jared Bakewell, asked us last week to "Rise To the Occasion" during this difficult year to support people in need around the world.
Former member, Dr. Bill Karrer, passed away recently. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Condolences may be sent to his wife, Bev Karrer, at 1818 S. 194th Ave, Omaha, NE 68130
(If you have information for the About Us section, please let Jennifer know.)
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