Our guest speaker this week was Father Ron Drummond, Rector at St. George's Episcopal Church (on right), which is part of the Quincy Diocese.
Father Ron talked about medical missions he and others from this area have been on in Haiti and other countries. On his last trip, he said there were 50 people from this diocese as well as another one from Pennsylvania that included several physicians.
Father Ron said they go to try and help people take care of themselves. Medicine is shipped directly to Haiti and is ready for them when the volunteers arrive. He said they usually see between 350-500 patients a day with many receiving what amounts to a regular physical exam and, he says, the enthusiasm for these missions is spreading.
His job was to conduct religious services each morning and provide counseling. This is the third year he has participated and says he feels energized about connecting with human beings far away. "It's great to come together and it's a good human connection."
Tim Moss is May program chairman and says next weeks speaker will be Jeff Applegate of the Boy Scouts.
President Tim Moss presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing "Onward In Kiwanis" and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Tim made the first reading of officers and directors for the next Kiwanis year that starts October 1.
President: Debbie Vandemark
President-elect: Pat Stout
Past President: Jeremy Benson
Treasurer: Tim Moss
Board members: Rick Bulger, Ken Harp, Waneen Stout, Owen Thompson and Joe Vandemark.
Voting will take place in May.
Waneen Stout announced a new cooperative effort between the Macomb and Industry Kiwanis Clubs. It's goal is to develop a project that will have an impact on women and children in our communities, be a new activity for Kiwanis Clubs as well as an Interclub program. The idea is to implement a Young Children Priority One (ages pre-natal to 5) project that will help pregnant women, abused women or abused children in shelters. They plan to determine the needs of the women and children at each agency and how we can best help them. Waneen is also looking for club volunteers to work on planning. Debbie Vandemark and Ken Harp have already helped, Richard Carman and Stan Carman of the Industry Kiwanis have agreed to represent their club. After it's completed, a report will be submitted to I-I District First Lady Patty Heath who is encouraging clubs to take on this type of project.
Tim said there will be a Board of Directors meeting at Noon, May 5, at the Salvation Army office. Anyone is welcome, bring your own sack lunch.
Debbie showed the plaque we received for winning the Division 19 Spastic Paralysis Bowl A Thon and thanked everyone that participated. Debbie, Ken Harp, Tim, Owen and John Moon helped carry the team. Pat and Waneen Stout were our cheerleaders!
IMPORTANT MEETING REMINDER! We will hold our May 12 and May 19 meetings at Ponderosa on East Jackson Street. No meetings at St. George's Church those two weeks. Members will pay for their own meals and what the club would have billed members for meals will be donated to Kiwanis International as part of their "Skip A Meal" project.
