President Frank Perez welcomed everyone to the 14th Zoom meeting of the Centerville Rotary Club, as we are still unable to meet face to face due to the coronavirus. Frank welcomed our speaker, Gerry Chadwick.
Jim Harris led the Pledge of Allegiance, Mike Wier recited the 4-Way Test, and Brian Hayes led us in a prayer.
President Frank Perez provided these updates:
Frank is closely monitoring new COVID case rates in Montgomery County and shared that there has been a decline in past several days as masks are being worn and we all practice social distancing. He wants to see 2+ weeks of this encouraging trend before entertaining the idea of resuming face to face meetings. He knows a number of members are interested in resuming such meetings and assured the club that there will still be a virtual option to call in to meetings, should they feel more comfortable in doing so.
Frank also asked the club members to keep Kitty in their thoughts and prayers.
Happy Bucks-
Our Happy Dollars for this quarter are going to Project Warm – please be generous with your Happy Dollars for this good cause. You can send your check to the club mailbox: Centerville Rotary Club, PO Box 41431, Centerville, OH 45458.
Boyd Preston filled in as Sergeant at arms and shared that he had visited another club on Monday in person and that they did a hybrid meeting. Key takeaway for him was the importance of good AV equipment to help those on Zoom stay connected and hear what is being said.
- Carol gave $10 as she and John were in the car on the way to PA to visit family and grandkids they have not seen since December.
- Dick Hoback- $20 – for Carol & John’s time with family and they just got back from a vacation at Norris Lake
- $20 from Jim Harris – wife’s birthday
- $20 from Terry Hanauer- finally cool weather in Michigan
- $20 from Katie Neubert- good weather and speaker
- $20(??-amount not sure)- Kisha Taylor- got the brochures done on her new cleaning service for commercial and residential customers: Gem City Commercial & Residential Cleaning. (937) GEM-CITY. COVID sanitizing special available!
- $20 – Arnie Biondo – his dog was barking as Nancy just got home
- $20- Elda Gotos Gay - good weather
- $20- Harvey Smith – received a visit from Elda who brought him some goodies
- $20- Chuck King- golf game yesterday went well, and Frank shot the low score
- $20- Frank Perez - nice round of golf with a great group
- $20- Sofie Ameloot - happy speaker is here on important project
- $20- Gerry Chadwick (our speaker) - Operation Warm
Speaker today was Gerry Chadwick from the Dayton Rotary Club.
Subject: Club’s Tour de Gem bicycle ride fundraiser (aka “Dayton Cycling Classic”)
Info from their website:
“2020 is the third annual Tour de Gem Dayton Cycling Classic, presented by Kettering Health Network. Tour de Gem is a fundraising cycling event for local nonprofits to raise money and bring awareness to their important missions. This is a fun, family-friendly way for cyclists of all ages and abilities to have a positive impact in their community and explore the many Gems Dayton has to offer.”
Founded by club members who had been riding 15-20 years to raise money for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
In past 2 years have raised over $160,000 for 60+ non-profits
2020 will be different given COVID-19 restrictions
- Virtual ride instead of a group ride from August 21- September 6. Individuals can ride their preferred distance and/ or routes or participate using a spin/ stationary bike.
- Goal this year is to raise $50,000. With 31 days left they have raised $12,166.
- Not too late to register a team or sign up.
- Sofie will again be representing our club, riding for the Ronald McDonald House. She was one of the top 5 fundraisers at last year’s event. She is almost to her $500 goal and is still taking donations.
Some of the other charities for whom monies are being raised this year include: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters; SICSA, Good Neighbor House, Victory Project, Clean Water and the YWCA.
Some of the prizes available for participants are:
- Dayton Strong- top individual fundraiser
- Spread the Love- top fundraising team
- Give it Some Time- Most time spent on a bike
- Put in the Miles- most miles ridden
- Tour of the Gems- most photos within Dayton
- Century Challenge- Participants who ride 100+ miles
- The 500 Club- participants who ride 500+ miles
Participants will also receive prizes for fundraising of $500 and $1000.
The most successful fundraising is not asking those who always give the big bucks, but by asking friends, family, and co-workers. Explain the charity’s needs and that you are riding x# miles, and JUST ASK!
There are lots of non-profit organizations to choose to support, although Gerry said, “Donte to Sofie first!”
For more information, visit the website https://www.ms-stride.org/tourdegem or email info@tourdegem.org.
Frank Perez thanked Gerry for the great information and said for everyone to be safe and have a great week!.
(Note: Editor was traveling while joining the meeting and lost Internet a couple of times in the hills of Pennsylvania, so guest editor, Boyd Preston provided today’s update. Thanks Boyd!)
