Frank Perez led us in the Pledge of Allegiance and Ray Merz led us in prayer.

 

Sivaji Subramaniam gave an update on member Kitty Ullmer. She is doing the best she can at her brother’s house, is well taken care of and is always thinking about Rotary. She hopes to come back to Rotary some day and until then, she sends thanks for all of the prayers and good wishes.

 

Sofie Ameloot announced we will start a feminine hygiene drive starting soon for Artemus (home for battered women.) Donations can be dropped off at Gerry Eastabrooks, Pat Beckel (during office hours), and Sofie Ameloot through mid-February. Watch for more details in an email soon.

 

President Frank provided these updates:

Dale Berry introduced his granddaughter, Rebecca Mount from CHS – Spirit Chain. In the early years, there was a dangerous rivalry between Fairmont and Centerville High Schools. Faculty and students decided to make something positive out of this rivalry, hence Spirit Chain was created. Dale was one of the faculty members who helped start it. Over the years, the amount raised for charities has grown tremendously. Because of pandemic, can’t go door to door, but students didn’t want to let it drop. Rebecca is a senior at CHS and wanted to be part of these efforts. This year’s event will support Food to Go, Open Arms Clinic (free health care for uninsured), and Miami County Dental Clinic (dental care). You can donate by writing a check payable to Centerville Spirit Chain, and mail to Rebecca at 10600 Sunderland Woods Court, Centerville, OH 45458.

 

Frank noted the Board is enthusiastic to support, and since we are not meeting in person, the Club will increase the annual contribution to $650. Rebecca was very appreciative of the Club’s generosity.

 

Our Happy Bucks recipient this quarter is St. Paul, United Methodist Church Food Bank. You can send your check to the club mailbox:  Centerville Rotary Club, PO Box 41431, Centerville, OH 45458

 

Boyd started donations with a $10 fine since the Browns won again. He noted how unusual their success has been as the last time they won a playoff game was in1995 when Bill Clinton was President.

Don Overly $20 to Spirit Chain, noting he is always impressed with people who give to others, especially when it is kids.

Susan Schnell gave $20 to Spirit Chain, plus $10 to celebrate receiving the first of two COVID vaccines.

Ron Hollenbeck $20 for St Paul’s food bank in recognition of Kim’s presentation today and for Uriah checking us out.

Chuck King gave $20 for St Paul.

Ray Merz gave $20 for St Paul’s work.

Elda Gotos-Gay $20 St Paul, plus $30 to Spirit Chain.

Dale Berry gave $10 happy bucks today for the opportunity to introduce his granddaughter and also noted he has contributed to Spirit Chain.

Sofie Ameloot gave $20 for Spirit Chain plus $20 for the St Paul food bank. She is happy for her daughter, Delphine, who did an Interact food drive in December and thanked the Rotarians who helped.

Dick Hoback gave $50 to Spirit Chain plus $20 to St Paul.

Harvey Smith gave $20 to Spirit Chain.

Mark Febus gave a $40 contribution and noted he has received his COVID vaccine.

Judy Budi gave $50 to Spirit Chain and announced that at 4 pm today, Montgomery County Health will announce where and how those 80+ can get the vaccine. Kim Bramlage noted it will be broadcast on FB Live.

Frank Perez gave $20 to Spirit Chain, plus $20 for his wife Maureen’s birthday today.

 

 

Kim noted a year ago she was in India for a polio eradication trip during National immunization day in the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This may be the last opportunity for a polio trip to India, as indications are the government may not allow it any more.

 

She noted this was always on her bucket list once she joined Rotary. Seeing photos of those in need, made her want to see it first hand. No one else in District was interested in going, so she went by herself.

 

There were 50 in the travel group and Kim became close to her roommate, Mindy, who she is still in touch with daily.

 

The first three days were spent visiting many beautiful sites including mosques, temples, and palaces. She even saw the Dalai Lama in their hotel just by chance. The culture, sites, and sounds were incredible. They also visited the site when Gandhi spent his last days and was murdered.

 

Kim described two very different worlds in India - open air markets, animals in the street, slum/blanket homes with lots of trash and cows. Indoor plumbing not available. And then they stayed in the most luxurious hotels located right next to the slums.

 

While there, they attended other Rotary club meetings and learned of their service projects: Limb and Foot factory in Jaipur where no payment expected; St Steven’s hospital with a Rotary sponsored polio ward; and Kusumpur Pahari Project which is a school training facility where they teach English and vocation skills.

 

They did a rally in preparation of administering the vaccine. Have to walk the streets, talk to people, tell them what you’ll be doing. Went to high risk neighborhoods first. How to tell who is young enough to get the vaccine? They ask the kids to drape their arm over their head. Children younger than 5 cannot do that.

 

 

To administer the vaccine, they give 2 drops in the mouth and then paint the pinky finger nail purple which identifies who has received the vaccine.

 

 

Kim gave an overview of the history of Rotary’s involvement in Polio Eradication:

 

 

The World Health Organization on August 25, 2020, announced that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. We are very close to eradicating polio worldwide.

 

How can we help?

 

The District hopes each Club will give $1,500 annually and our club donated $9,731 in 2020!

 

Kim can be contacted at kim.Bramlage@frhc.org or (937) 657-5001.

 

 

President Frank thanked Kim for the inspiring presentation and noted next week our speaker will be Kari Tucker from Shriners Hospital.

 

The meeting ended with reciting of the 4 Way Test.