Last week Roxy Orr served as our Greeter. Between those who participated via Zoom and watched the video later we had over 100 participants including visitors from other clubs and our District Governor Mick McKinley. Jeff Moran kicked off our "Close the Gap" fundraiser which will replace our local Suburban Rotary Foundation fundraiser this year and support The Food Bank for the Heartland. We heard about The Big Garden and their community projects from Nate Morgan.
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 $34,000 for 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. So far we've raised $26,000 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!
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.
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!
Save the date! Thursday, April 16th from 5-7 pm we will have a virtual after hours featuring a Trivia Night game. Look for an email at the end of this week with the details on how to participate. It is BYOB! :)
Obviously Anthony's will be missing our business as well as that of many other groups. If you would like to help them and the workers, consider order takeout from them. Their menu can be found by clicking HERE. You can call 402-331-7575 and place your order on the phone and they will bring it out to you. All tips are being put into a pool for all the servers, so be generous!
Please keep Ranny Perez and his family in your thoughts and prayers. His brother-in-law passed away suddenly and sadly they are unable to travel to the funeral. Their address is Ranny and Selena Perez, 9691 Meadow Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.
Don Elliott and Bill Winstrom, former Rotarians, both passed away in the last few weeks. Please keep their families in your thoughts and prayers.
(If you have information for the About Us section, please let Jennifer know.)