Last week Max Burbach gave the invocation. We had several announcements and Mary Bernier introduced Al Batschalet and Jodi Teal who talked to us about the First Responders Foundation and all they do to promote the health and well-being of our front line responders.
In lieu of our Annual Fundraiser for the Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation, Suburban Rotary is looking to help our neighbors by "Closing the Gap" and raising fundsfor the Food Bank of the Heartland. Demand at food banks and pantries around the metro area has skyrocketed in the last two weeks due to hardships caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Last week we received excellent news that we have received $2500 in a District Grant to help our efforts and $7500 in a Club Grant from our Suburban Rotary Charitable Foundation. This brings us to $44,000 in donations and pledges. If you are able, please consider a gift in any amount by clicking on the donate button on our website or by sending in a check to Suburban Rotary, 4089 South 84th St. PMB 317, Omaha, NE 68127. (Call Jennifer to set up a monthly pledge.)
Thank you to all those who have pledged or donated so far! Our goal is 100% participation with any amount- so far we are at 35% with 70 donors. Thank you!
Upcoming Blood Drives sponsored by Suburban, West, and Downtown Rotary Clubs. Happy to report that today's blood drive was full! Please sign up for one of the two remaining dates. www.rcblood.org/2UPqtUO
Thanks to the Community Service Committee for organizing. (Photo of Mark Roberts staffing today's drive)
Tue, Apr 21, 10:00-4:00, DJ’s Dugout, 777 N 114th St (Miracle Hills Square), Omaha
Fri, Apr 24, 10:00-4:00, Charlie’s on the Lake, 4150 S 144th St, Omaha
Food Bank for the Heartland
As of Mar 27, opportunities in April appear to be Tue-Fri morning and afternoon.
The Salvation Army is helping to feed families in the metro who are being affected by COVID-19 and the closing of schools. We have five distribution sites we will be serving over the next four weeks. The schedule is as follows:
Shopping Angels is a 100% volunteer based a program designed to provide services to those populations deemed especially at-risk for COVID-19.
Opportunity to volunteer to pick up groceries or other shopping necessities for those who may prefer to stay within the safety of their own home at no additional cost.
We are just getting the operation up and running last weekend for the State of Nebraska. If you haven't already signed up to volunteer, please go to the link below to do so! We'd love to have you. This is also the link where you can sign up to receive services for yourself or a loved one!
Please plan to join us this Thursday at noon for our regular meeting. The meeting will open at 11:45 for greetings. Tom will ring the bell at 12:05.
There are 3 ways to join. If you want help setting up technology on your computer or phone, please reach out. We have a group of volunteers that can assist you over the phone. Please note we are now using a waiting room for security. Make sure your device has your name on it.
1.) You can join via our Zoom meeting by clicking on this link or pasting it into your browser. https://zoom.us/j/169934377
This will allow us to see your face on camera (if you want- this is always an option to turn it off-everyone will be off once the speaker starts). Download Zoom to your phone or computer now so you are ready.
You will need a Facebook account to watch on Facebook and we won't see you on camera. Again, if you need help setting up a Facebook account, please reach out.
3.) Lastly, you can participate via your phone (landline or cell phone) by calling in at any of these phone #s:
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US +1 301 715 8592 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 169 934 377 (you do not need a participant ID)
Just because we are not meeting in person, doesn't mean we can't host guests at Suburban Rotary meetings. In fact, now is the perfect time to invite someone to "visit" us at a virtual meeting. Be sure to send Jennifer the name of your guest in advance so she knows to let them in via the "waiting room" on Zoom. A visitor can learn about the fantastic service Rotary provides to the community especially during these tough times and the fellowship and friendship that being a Rotarian offers. Just direct folks to the website to get all of the information to join us. If they don't want to join via Zoom, encourage your guest to watch our livestream on Facebook and leave a comment for us.
Save the date! Thursday, April 16th from 5-7 pm we will have a virtual after hours featuring a Trivia Night game. An email is coming out on Tuesday with instructions on how to participate.
Last week Russell Hampton, Rotary merchandise supplier, put out a call to Rotary Clubs to see how they were helping their communities during the COVID-19 crisis. President Tom Kerfoot nominated us and we won for our "Close the Gap" fundraiser for the Food Bank and our blood drives. We won a $250 gift card which will be used to purchase pins, badges, and other club supplies regularly. Thank you and congratulations to all of you!
CLICK HERE to see the newsletter and read about some of the efforts of Rotary Clubs around the country.
.png)
.jpg)