October 16, 2002

This week's Bulletin was written by Tim Montague

 

THIS WEEK'S MEETING

Gary Green started the meeting by welcoming the Mascari brothers to our club.  Rick Logan led us in the pledge of allegiance.  Joe Ciokon was honored for his dedication to project Stand Down (Click Here For History Of Stand Down) which he helped to found and the club made a $2,000 donation to the Stand Down organization. Joe then led the club in singing ‘Anchors Away’.  Rosalie Kramm gave the invocation.  Pete McGuire introduced our guests, visiting Rotarians, and Rotaract members.  Gary gave a brief update on the “Polio Tees Us Off” golf tournament and fundraiser to be held November 15. Sponsorships and foursomes are filling up, but there is room for more!

Announcements

Gary reported that next month’s Board Meeting will be November 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM) and all new members and Red Badgers are invited to attend the board meeting which will be followed by a ‘fireside chat’ where new members can get better acquainted with the board, the history of the club, and ways that they can get involved in the club’s service activities.

Gary then introduced Larry and Mike Mascari from the Mission Valley East Rotary Club.  The brothers have spearheaded a number of fundraising and related activities to support La Marita and other projects in the Tijuana area.  They sponsor matching grant programs that our club and other Rotary clubs around San Diego donate funds to for medical supplies and construction costs. The clinic serves a population of 200,000 poor people in the surrounding colonia.

Past President Melissa Blackburn announced the upcoming District 5340 Foundation Dinner at the Museum of Natural History in Balboa Park on November 16th.  A signup will be sent around next week.

Melissa Stoneham, President of Downtown Rotaract again reminded the club of Rotaract’s upcoming fundraiser for juvenile diabetes on October 24 (Jazz for Juvenile Diabetes - La Noche de Fiebre at Lilo's in Downtown San Diego). Tickets to support this good cause are $20/ea. You can reach Melissa via email at hos7us@yahoo.com.

Fines

Gary Green did the honors Lou’s absence (where has Lou been?).  Dan Cleaves bragged about his visit to the Sharp Senior Center at 10th & Broadway (highlighted by last weeks speakers). He commented that it was a very impressive facility and a very moving experience to see the seniors and the conditions that they endure.  T.J. Barnes bragged that her son was turning 18! And Tom Sayer bitched about Gary Green confusing our clubs 12th anniversary with our 13th anniversary at the District Council Meeting two weeks ago.

This Weeks Speaker

Tana Cleaves introduced Ms. Dorthy Wicker, Program Manager of Alpha Project for the Homeless as our keynote speaker. Ms. Wicker gave us a thorough overview of their Neil Good Day Center for the Homeless, the status of the

 

Dorthy Wicker pictured here with Sig Weitzman

 

homeless population in San Diego, and some information about how we can help. The Neil Good Day Center is the only day shelter for homeless people in San Diego. services over 110,000 people each year. In addition to this facility, the Alpha Project sponsors affordable housing and Winter shelters for the homeless. Items Needed at the Neil Good Day Center include:

·         Blankets ( Blanket Drive from November to March),

·         Coats,

·         Hygiene supplies (toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, razors, etc.),

·         Diapers,

·         New socks and underwear,

·         Books

They serve 400-600 homeless people each day, providing food, clothing, laundry, showers, psychological counseling, mail/message services, business phone calls, and tokens for public transport to medical/dental/legal appointments. She emphasized that the homeless population is San Diego has been growing steadily for the past decade and that they service many more women and families now than in years past. Ms. Wicker strongly encourages interested Rotarians to visit the day center located at 1620 Fifth Ave.  You can reach Dorthy Wicker at (619) 234-3041 or at dorthy@alphaproject.org.

Gary closed the meeting by thanking Ms. Wicker for her dedication to the homeless and by announcing that we would support the Project Alpha with our own clothing, shoes, and blanket drive in December.

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