SHERI SHERECE on HAPPY HATS FOR KIDS at WVRC on August 18th
PP ERIC LOBERG led the Pledge. DWIGHT HEIKKILA provided the Invocation. “Our thanks, Lord, for those gathered here and for the sense of high purpose we share. As we begin a new year, grant our new officers stamina, patience, and a sense of humor, that we may relax together and so create meaningful fellowship and selfless service, without taking ourselves too seriously in this your world and Rotary service.“ Well done, Dwight - thanks. LENNY came forward to lead us in You’re a Grand Old Flag.
While we had no Visiting Rotarians, SUNNY was of course with LENNY. PEGGY was accompanied by her helper, and PP DON NELSON brought ROZ. STEVE PETTISE had with him DAVID HAWKINS as his Special Guest, and PP STEVE SCHERER introduced his Special Guest, Mirabelle Segovia. Note that another applicant has also been approved, as listed at the end of this report.
PP STEVE DAY was pleased to announce that TERRY M. WHITE had qualified for a sapphire pin in recognition of his latest Club gift. His contribution to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International will allay suffering, improve living conditions, and provide educational opportunities for young people somewhere in the world. This multiple Paul Harris Fellow pin is in appreciation for your generous contribution to the Annual Fund of Rotary - and PP STEVE thinks we should be sure your award here is up to date with your contributions.
We were reminded of the Fun Party coming up on the 27th of August at the home of LEO TSENG. There is still room for more participants. It was announced that the Fishing Trip sponsored by Bentwood Rotary had fifty part pants - and they caught 27 barracuda. Twelve members are signed up for the visit to China Town Rotary, starting on October 7th. And there are SEVEN events specially planned for the visit. There is still room to come along.
PP SEAN MCMILLAN provided some further Irish history, which seemed to focus on jokes. I recall a couple - How long your day is depends on which side of the bathroom door you are on. And the one important word to recall is sex!
STEVE PETTISE briefly introduced Sheri Scherese, who is the founder of Happy Hats for Kids, and you may recall that she spoke to us a few years ago. Their organization presently serves 33 Children’s Hospitals in five different states. Included among those in California are Mattel Children’s Hospital here at UCLA. Among the twelve new hospitals they are starting with are City of Hope, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and others across the nation.
Their program is unique - they provide wonderful, inventive hats, which always bring smiles to the faces of the kids. These hats are donated to the hospitals, and are made both here and at several federal institutions, including California Institute for Women in Chino, and Warren Federal Prison in Ohio. Much of the labor in producing the hats is done by volunteers, and the federal prisoners are paid the grand sum of 30 cents an hour! They always have plenty of people to make the hats.
Their budget is $50,000 a year and you can reach them at 923 Van Ness Avenue, Torrance CA 90501. It certainly is a worthwhile project, and your support will make a difference.
The two new members of Westwood Village Rotary
that have been approved are:
Eric Davidson, 7893 Naylor Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 914 3503
Secondary Education Administration and his sponsors are Ed Jackson and Steve Pettise
Maribel Segovia, 11969 Kiowa Avenue #12, Los Angeles, CA 90049, (323)782-3135
LTC & Retirement Planning, New York Life Insurance Co. and her sponsors are Madison Goritsan and Dwight Heikkila
