President Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. PDG Harvey Smith provided the prayer.
Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: "Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.” Andy Rooney
Singing of God Bless America was led by Brad Thorp.
Today’s Announcements:
- Thanks to Raj G & Jake H, today’s greeters
- Guests: Brad H’s guests, children Braden & Bella; Ron Tringali who will be inducted into the club next week.
- Dick Hoback donated a Rotary stone that was installed at the Peace Pole at Grant Park. Thank you Dick and Marilyn!
- The latest RI message talks about the great flexibility in new club models, offering new and perspective members different ways to be involved and serve. Our Coffee Club that meets the first Tuesday of the month, 7:30 am at ContempoRoast is an example of a new flexible companion club.
- Public Image meeting is being rescheduled, due to technical difficulties.
- Pancake Committee next meets on August 14, 11 am at Yankee Trace. Please join the committee - we need help!
- Congrats to Gina Smith (Rochelle Bradley) for the launch party this week for her new book, “Popping the Clutch.” Several Rotarians stopped by at the Star City Booksellers to support her!
- The club received grant money for our District grant applications.
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to Disaster Relief for those affected by the recent flooding in Texas. Rotary District 5840 will distribute the funds.
Brad Thorp was our Sergeant at Arms this week.
Happy Bucks were generously donated this week for:
- Adam M was glad to see Bella and Braden today.
- Ron H for a good visit with friends and family.
- Lisa GM was just happy to sit next to Ron.
- Bob D for OSU football getting ready to go.
- Dale B for Brad’s kids being here today.
- Jim H for Brad’s kids being here today, and his nephew in the Army is back from his second 3 year stint.
- Mark K was happy to be here.
- Lee H’s Farm Report described how corn leaves curl around the cob, and noted the tassels are not coming out because of all the rain, the whorl is too tight.
- Don S went to Olgebay and played golf with his sons and daughter and his (hopeful) future son-in-law
- Bill M for today's guests and Texas relief
- Brad H for his guests, happy to be back from Jamaica, and looking forward to the OSU/TX game where he will be tailgating.
- Elda was happy to see Brad’s kids.
- Kelly M sad this is his last month in OH, he’s had a great three years with this club and thanked all for the great welcome.
- Carol K for seeing all 5 grandkids in three different cities within the last week.
- Jeff S saw all grandkids in last week, 2nd oldest was doing a triathalon.
- Uriah A reminded all that this Sunday is the Cruise-In to the Ice Cream Social at RecPlex 11a-3p with free hot dogs, burgers, ice cream, and kids activities.
- Brad T announced Forbes released the list of the next generation Wealth Advisors and his son (and Rotarian), Wyatt was on the list! Congrats to Wyatt!
Our speaker today was Nick Magoteaux with Brothers helping Brothers.
Nick Magoteaux is a former firefighter, corrections officer & 911 operator, along with many other positions. He is the founder and co-executive director of the 501(c)(3), that helps small, rural fire departments with equipment needs. 7% departments in Ohio are volunteer firefighter departments.
The program started in 2014, after a firefighter friend passed away. They first started a fundraiser to help with his sickness, and then raised over $20,000 for his daughter’s college fund. It then expanded to assist fire departments.
The organization is all volunteer based; none of the board members take a salary.
Nick told of their biggest fundraiser, the 8th Annual Health & Wellness Conference, planned for October 15-17 at the Greene Co Fairgrounds. All types of topics are covered and they have ~200 attendees each year.
Cancer is prevalent with firefighters. Contributors include shift work, being on for 24 hours, exposure to chemicals on fire grounds, including chemicals in the gear they wear. PFAS was sprayed onto the exterior of the gear, but they have now stopped that practice.
He reminded us that in a house fire, most things inside are synthetics and firefighters don’t always know what they’re being exposed to. Firefighters have 2x greater risk of cancer than average people.
A question was asked about the mental health of firefighters, as there is a higher suicide rate in first responders. Nick said the conference has sessions focused on mental health; they bring in people who’ve been through it and come out safely.
Volunteer fire departments are usually funded by property tax levies. Some states have subscription service. Miamisburg & Miami Township combined to form a fire district.
The outer coat and pants run around $3,500 to purchase, and that doesn’t include hood, belt, radio, etc. It can last around 10 years, but the materials degrade over time.
The conference is the biggest fundraiser for their non-profit. They accept sponsorships and have vendors at the conference. Theirs is the oldest and largest health and wellness conference for fire departments.
