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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
ClubRunner
Bulletin Editor
Larry Haber
Speakers
Jan 25, 2019
Guiding Light Orphanage
Feb 01, 2019
Save Nod Road
Feb 08, 2019
Patriot Day Initiative
Feb 15, 2019
Camp Wightman
Feb 22, 2019
“Gene Therapy for a Muscle Disease in Dogs & People.”
Mar 01, 2019
Servant Leadership and Psychological Safety
View entire list
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Immediate Past President
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
 
Foundation Chair
 
Membership
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Board Member-at-Large
 
Asst Treasurer
 
Interact Chair
 
EarlyRiser Presentations
The Annotated Guide to Ending Polio
GLO Fall 2017 Mission Trip
Eastern Europe Trip to Vienna and Prague Presentation
Avon Village Center Project Presentation
Club Information
Rotary of Avon-Canton - Founded 1973
Avon-Canton
Service above Self
We meet Fridays at 7:30 AM
Avon Old Farms Hotel
279 Avon Mountain Rd.
Avon, CT  06001
United States
DistrictSiteIcon District Site
VenueMap Venue Map
Upcoming Meeting Speaker
Avon High School Choir
 
 
Sergeant-at-Arms Report
December 7, 2018
 
Members Present: 40
 
Make-Ups: None  
Guests:    Chris Solinene (Prospective Member), Rep. Tim LeGeyt, and Craig Nation (Nancy's Husband)
Visiting Rotarians: Jorge Marzan (Hartford)
Happy Dollars: $232 (for Sean and hotel staff)
Raffle Winner: Gary Roman (Donated to Salvation Army)
 
Birthdays
 
Richard Heath
 
 
Rich joined the Holyoke Rotary Club in 1983.  He then moved to Florida where he joined the Rotary Club of Cape Coral and eventually went through the ranks and became president.  The best part of his Rotary Presidential Year was that he met and eventually married his wife Chris, who was president of another Rotary Club.  He then joined the Rotary Club of Gainesville, FL.  (Editors Note:  Rich then proceeded to defame the Clubs rightful affection for the Florida Gators, which this alumni takes exception to.)  He then moved to our area where he and his wife joined our club.  Rich is going to be traveling down to Florida where his wife is going to be needing surgery for a broken leg sustained last Friday.  We wish her a speedy recovery.  
 
Dale Bronson
 
 
Dale is celebrating a repeating digit birthday.  Dale who is NOT(?) related to Charles Bronson, when he was teaching, he used tell everyone that Charles Bronson was his Uncle.  This became a shared joke with fellow faculty members.  At one point, a student gave Dale a sympathy card when Charles Bronson died.  Dale has been part of our club since 2001 and loves it. 
 
Natasha Haims 
 
 
Natasha, who just joined our club is thankful for this one big dysfunctional family.
 
Happy Dollars
 
Lisa Barall-Matt told us about her son, Tyler, who joined the Navy as an officer and has just finished Power School.  He will be deployed on the submarine Columbus which is based in Pearl Harbor in March. Lisa also reported on her mother who she has been visiting frequently in FL since her stroke in August.  Lisa indicated that she was happy to report that her mother has no residual paralysis.  
 
Sue Biddle gave a happy dollar to thank Phil Ferrari who has agreed to come to the Avon Congregational Church on 9:30 Sunday the 16th to talk about his experience in Uganda with the Guiding Light Orphans.
 
Salin Low was happy that the good team won the Oklahoma/Texas football game and got into the national football playoffs.  The not so good news is that they have to play Alabama.
 
Don Rossler had a great trip with his boys where they saw Wabash College and liked the small college atmosphere.  It was also nice that Wabash beat DePaul.  The other news is that the house renovation is supposed to be finished today and they can get back into using their master bathroom.  His wife is ecstatic.  
 
Sarah Leathers was happy that by the end of next week they will have packed 30,000 meals.  Her biggest news was that her son-in-law who has been deployed to Afghanistan is coming home today!
 
Jimmy Ssekawaabe attended the Rotary Means Business last week at the North House and reported that it was a very successful event with over 45 Rotarians in attendance from a variety of clubs.  
 
Tim Leygett has been coming here for the a number of years since he has been the State Representative for Canton and the "better half" of Avon.  He has been supporting The Salvation Army as well.    He and Kevin Witkos will be ringing the bell again on Wednesday the 12 between 4:30 and 5:30.  Tim did not run for re-election and he will ben giving up his seat at the end of the year. 
 
Jolly Lux was just happy to be here with her fellow Rotarians.
 
Dale Bronson was seeking help with the FAVAR client Holliday Party next Friday the 14 from 6 - 8.  See Dale  .  nce again celebrated Thanksgiving Cajun style in Louisiana with his daughter. He claimed it was catered by Cracker Barrel. There were untold delicacies of the locale.
 
Bob Cave was happy about someone being in compliance with something, but the scribe was still imagining Cajun delicacies.
 
Joanne Santiago was happy about her cruise to Havana. She had a great tour guide whom she recommends to anyone making the trip.
Jolly Lux was happy that the club was able to raise so much money to help the Farmington Valley by ringing the Salvation Army bell on the day after Thanksgiving.
 
Special Presentation
 
In honor of Pearl Harbor Day, Sean Blacker prepared a special display and name tags for members to honor those who perished on December 7, 1941.  The hand drawn display listed the ships, location, and the names of those who died on that Day that will Live in Infamy.
 
 
 
Breakfast with Santa
 
A fun time was head by more than 80 parents and children as Rotary and the Canton Interact Club helped insure that Santa's Breakfast went off without a hitch.
 
 
Announcements
 
Don Bonner announced that the club will match members' donations to the Salvation Army up to $2,250. Give a copy of the check or a statement of your donation to Don, Paul Mikkelson or Gary Roman. This will help many people in our area.
 
 
Calendar of Upcoming Events
 
Dale Bronson was seeking help with the FAVARH Client Holiday Party next Friday the 14 from 6 - 8.  See Dale 
 
Bell Ringing on December 22 - Hank Frey is looking for a few more ringers for the Saturday before Christmas in the 7 - 9 PM time-slot.  When we ring on the weekend, 90% of the money stays in the Farmington Valley. And it's a good time to visit with another Rotarian.
 
Taste of the Valley coming on Saturday, March 30 at 6 PM.  More information to come, but we need some new restaurants as several of our past contributors are no longer in business.  Next committee meeting is Tuesday the 18, 5 PM at Dish.
 
Induction of New Members
None today.
 

 
Awards and Community/International Service Grants
 
None today.

 
Presentation

The Salvation Army 
 
Major Jorge L. Marzan
Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Southern New England
 

Don Bonner introduced our speaker, Major Jorge L. Marzan was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and after finishing high school was accepted as a candidate at The Salvation Army School for Officer Training in Suffern, NY. After graduating, he was assigned to work as a cadet and was later commissioned as an officer in Puerto Rico. Major Marzan later served in NY and again in Puerto Rico. He received training at the international College for Officers, Salvation Army, based in London, England in 1993. ln 2001 he was appointed Divisional Secretary and in 2010 he became the first Puerto Rican divisional Commander appointed to lead The Salvation Army Puerto Rico and Virgin Island Division.  In July Of 2016 Major Jorge was appointed Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army in Southern New England and his wife Major Limaris Marzan became Director of Women's Ministries. They live in Weathersfield and are the proud parents of their 7 year old son David Alejandro.  He is also a Hartford Rotarian.  Jorge announced that he is being transferred to Brazil in January.

 

We usually know The Salvation Army for the Christmas Kettles and for the clothing stores, we call Family Stores.  The work of the Salvation Army began more than 150 years in the East End of London by a Methodist minister and his wife, William and Catherine Booth.  He felt called to share God’s love with the people of the East End.  But as he tried to share God’s love he realized that in the East End of that time, that we know from Charles Dickens novels, needed something more.  He realized that it was hard to share God’s love with someone who was hungry.  Through those years of ministry he developed what we call The Cab Horse Charter. William Booth’s Cab Horse Charter was both a vivid rebuke and challenge to the society of his time and unfortunately this remains equally valid today. Drawing a sharp comparison between the way working animals are treated and the plight of the poorest humans, Booth made two salient points: When the horse is down, he is helped up, and while he lives he has food, shelter and work.

Treating people with the same respect we treat farm animals was the founding principle and continues to function as important underpinning of the social part of the mission of The Salvation Army.  The Salvation Army is an international church and charity that works in more than 130 countries around the world with international headquarters in London, England.

Music is an important aspect of The Salvation Army.  Through the music program lives are transformed.  The children not only learn how to play an instrument but develop the values and beliefs that set the foundation of a better society.  Every year The Salvation Army has an Annual Christmas Kettle Appeal. Money is buckets like this. Without this money The Salvation Army couldn't help people who are in need.  Just during the Holiday season over 28,000 families receive holiday assistance.  Around 30,000 receive toys, gifts, and coats.

In a disaster, Seven mobile feeding units mobilize and respond to disasters.  294 meals were served in support of first responders and those affected by a disaster locally.  In addition their volunteers were able to provide hundreds of snacks and drinks.  Some of their volunteers served in the recent disasters that impacted Florida.  We were also able assistance to 1,724 people who found themselves living in Connecticut after Maria impacted the Caribbean. Thanks to the assistance of many people like you we were able to provide grocery orders, clothing and rent and mortgage assistance as they were able to move from the shelters to their homes.

For 125 years The Salvation Army has helped the homeless.  Last year it provided 5379 lodgings for men and families in the following locations: Hartford, Waterbury and New Britain.  In Hartford 249 individuals were sheltered year round.  In Hartford around 500 individuals received the services of our no freeze shelter providing a meal and snack while protecting them from the cold weather. 695 were provided assistance with help for rent.

The Salvation Army’s work is based upon its beliefs and its work are based on the Bible. Its members follow Jesus and his teaching. The education of children and the development of values and solid character is important.  They had an attendance of over 10,000 youth in their character development activities.  Its learning centers provided care for over 200 children.  More than 500 children participated in their summer camp where children not only learn and experience nature but are also enabled to see possibilities.

Sometimes it can be lonely when you reach old age. Salvation Army volunteers visit elderly people who find it hard to go out, to see how they are and to show they are loved and cared for. Their volunteers made over 12,000 visits to individuals through our Community Care ministries.   They not only visit the home but also the institutions and last year they had over 49 visits to institutions and hospitals.

Lots of Salvation Army churches and centers have activities and services for families. The Salvation Army believes that helping families is important.  Programs such as Pathway of Hope, bring hope and a new beginning.  More than 10,000 persons received case management through the Pathway of Hope program and Family Services Assistance programs.  More than 30,000 grocery orders were provided.

The Salvation Army centers provide emergency assistance to individuals and families going through a family crisis. There is also a special meals for people with no other family during the holiday season.  117,258 meals were provided through different programs.  During the Holiday season they were able to provide last year more than 6,200 grocery orders. with more than 1,600 meals are delivered by volunteers to homebound seniors last Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Children and Young People are an important part of their mission.  Around 600 children participated for a week at  Camp CONNRI this summer.  The Lodge is able to host 60 senior citizens who come from all over Connecticut and Rhode Island to experience fellowship, and the wonders of  a New England summer.

 

 

 


 
Mail Bag
None today.
 
Photo Credits 
Photographs courtesy of Phil Worley unless otherwise indicated.  Breakfast with Santa photos by Larry Haber.
 
Editor's Notes
Submission Deadline: Members are kindly encouraged to submit all materials for each week's Early Riser as early as possible. Please note that some editions may be published and distributed as early as the Saturday following our meetings, and during those weeks further contributions to the Early Riser will be included in the subsequent week's edition.
“The FOUR-WAY TEST of the things we think, say or do”:

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all Concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?