President Frank welcomed everyone on Zoom to the meeting. We have gone back to virtual meetings because of the climbing numbers of COVID cases in the County.
President Frank welcomed our guest Wesley Board from the Oakwood Club, and led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Rev. Harvey Smith led us in prayer with special mention of: Celia Weir who recently passed away. She was the wife of deceased past-president Fred Weir; Ernie Wiedeman former member who also passed away recently(Ernie retired as president of his own company at age 90); and Jeff Guernsey, 30 year Firefighter for Washington Township, passed away due to COVID.
President Frank provided these announcements:
- Just a reminder, we will be meeting on Zoom only at least until January. The board will meet again on January 11th and will discuss the time frame for restarting in person meetings.
- Digital cocktail party Dec 17, more info to come - no noon meeting that day, just 5:30 pm Zoom social gathering.
- Watch for an email with the 2021 Slate of Officers. We typically vote in person at a meeting, but with lower attendance on Zoom, the Board decided to ask people to vote through an email link. Please take time to submit your vote for this slate of great individuals.
- Donations are now being accepted for The Rotary Foundation. Any amount is welcome, and the club will match your donation “dollar for dollar” up to $500. You can mail your check to our P.O. Box and please make the check out to, “The Rotary Foundation”.
Joyce Young thanked those who have already send in donations, which have been forwarded to Rotary International. Any amount donation is welcome. Please mail checks within the next two weeks (by Dec. 17).
Our Happy Dollars for this quarter are going to the Kaplani School – 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 served as Sergeant at Arms this week and started by giving $20 for another Browns win and Arnie Biondo being named Professional of the Year for the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
Harvey Smith gave $10 IMO Celia Wier and $10 in recognition of Arnie’s award.
Joyce gave $20 IMO Celia Wier who was a wonderful person and to congratulate Arnie
Elda Gotos-Gay gave $20 in recognition of Arnie’s award.
Jim Harris gave $10 to announce his grandson got engaged and $10 n recognition of Arnie’s award.
Carol Kennard gave $10 IMO Celia Weir who was famous for her delicious apple pies and $10 in recognition of Arnie’s award.
Brian Hayes gave $5 for his grandson’s first birthday
Sofie Ameloot gave $10 for Arnie and for the lovely Thanksgiving she had with her family.
Arnie Biondo gave $100 to match all of the the nice thoughts about his award.
Chuck King gave $10 for Arnie and $10 IMO Celia.
Rebecca Quinoñes gave $10 for a nice Thanksgiving, especially since Carlos made it home. Sofia says hello and said she misses Rotary.
Frank Perez gave $10 for Browns win and a fun Thanksgiving. For the first time in 36 years, it was just the two of them but they connected with other family through text.
Our speaker for today was Jason Johnston, President/Co-Founder of B.O.G.G.
Arnie Biondo introduced Jason Johnston, President/Co-Founder of B.O.G.G. Jason noted he is originally from Wisconsin, but his wife went to OSU, so there is some tension in the house around football. However, the whole family is in agreement on Baseball - Brewer’s fans!
B.O.G.G. stands for Because of God’s Grace, which Jason started
in March 2010 with another Jason.People always mattered to them - we are all the product of our parents, friends, and community.
After doing the corporate thing successfully for many years, at age 25, Jason thought he might do something to help people. The non-profit was then formed.
B.O.G.G. started by using an old station wagon to deliver meals to families. Their main goals are to get to know one another, feed people and help community. When the station wagon dies, they got a donation to buy new vehicle. They bought truck and now partner with Dayton Food Bank for purchase of food. At each location, they set up small version of a grocery store, grill a meal, play games, paint nails and treat people the way they should be treated. They provide the basic need of food.
B.O.G.G. has delivered 12-13 million pounds of food for free over the last 10 years. 500,000 hot meals have been served. Jason said, “We love people and feed people - keeping it simple.”
COVID has changed a lot. Jason said it is encouraging that we are all still coming together via computers. B.O.G.G. cookouts are on hold and they have turned the majority of locations into drive-thru events. 760 people showed up last week for food; more people are facing hard times than ever before due to COVID.
Next year they are adding a new Kettering location while keeping Centerville and other locations in Xenia, Dayton, Moraine(2), West Carrollton, Miamisburg (2). They are authorized to serve in Preble, Montgomery, and Greene counties. Their primary food partner is the Dayton Food Bank - purchase from them, but also use 2 vendors in Cincinnati (damaged food product).
Finances this year have been a very good. People are scared and confused, but they are seeing good people stepping up to help. B.O.G.G. has experienced no financial hardships this year and they are very thankful.
Jason said they hope to continue to meet the needs of people who say they are hungry. As long as resources and people are in place, B.O.G.G. will continue to love and feed people. Keep it simple. Food insecurity is not going away, so they want to make sure they are around to help.
President Frank noted the club appreciates what B.O.G.G. does and we enjoy the opportunities to help.
Sofie Ameloot’s daughter, Delphine is doing a food drive for the Interact Club. Can drop off food donations at her house, which will then go to the House of Bread.
Next week our speaker will be Rev. Dr. Steve Gill from St. Paul United Methodist Church to speak about their program to provide food for those in need at the corner of 5th & Huffman.
President Frank led us in the 4-Way Test and wished all a good week.