Meeting Notes for April 6, 2017

Our Rotarians hosted about 40 men and women of the Trinity Center for lunch today.  We were greeted by Donna Columbo, the Executive Director of the center.  We observed that for three years the Club had arranged this event, and each time it had rained. (Coincidence?) Donna explained that Trinity offers a place for homeless people to shower, do laundry, eat meals and have access to substance abuse counselling and housing assistance.  They are looking forward to a new facility with more space and additional services.  The center will hold its annual fund-raising gala soon and could use some help from volunteers.  Contact Horace Crawford for more details.

We dined on a Mexican lunch, served al fresco in the rain.

 

President Kathy Gailey, our own “African Queen,” gave a quick overview of Rotary, “1.2 million people around the world in over 120 countries who get together to do good.”  She told the group how much we enjoy coming to Trinity each year to break bread (or in this case, tortilla chips).  Kathy announced that we are forming a bocce ball team for competition with other clubs on May 30.  If you can toss a bocce without causing physical damage to yourselves or others, see Kathy.  Rotary will host a club assembly on Saturday, May 13 at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill. Newer members are especially invited to attend.

 

The inimitable Karen McNamara conducted a raffle for our guests, giving away the fetching centerpieces on the table, which consisted of small baskets with useful items for people who spend a lot of time outdoors.  The raffle concluded with the awarding of gift certificates to a few lucky people.  Karen was assisted by the affable Guy Greco.

 

While the raffle was going on, Paula Silva and her assistant handed out “Blessing bags,” filled with toiletries.  Paula and her group had assembled over 100 bags for the Center clients.

Horace Crawford, our Trinity Connection, thanked all who had helped make the luncheon a success: Tony, Yvonne, Jim, Billy and of course the inestimable Karen McNamara and Peggy Crawford. 

 

This correspondent missed the chance at the yellow marble and had to content himself with a mango ice cream bar.  Ed Duarte will be next week’s Greeter.