Thanks to Boyd Preston for taking notes this week!
President Elect Adam Manning welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Rev. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Today’s inspirational quote provided by Don Overly: “The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement (Charles Schwab).
Returning guest: Gino Garcia.
Thank you to our greeters today: Wayne Davis and “Socks” Bowersocks.
PE Manning had a couple announcements:
- The kickoff meeting of the 2025 pancake committee was held today. Several new faces joined, and we are looking for additional help, especially in the areas of donations/ fundraising. If you are interested, please see Adam or co-chair, Lisa Goris May.
- The July 4th Americana parade is next Friday, and the club will again be riding on Lee’s antique fire truck. Room for 6 riders, so if you would like to join Adam and Lee for the ride let them know. Water and super soakers may be involved!
Other Department Announcements:
- Club secretary, Brian Hayes, graciously reminded members to please pay any outstanding club bill. Next quarterly bills will be issued shortly.
- Frank Perez- next coffee club meeting is this Tuesday (7/1) at 7:30 to 8:30AM at ContempoRoast. Club members are encouraged to attend and to bring a friend(s).
Two Service Above Self Awards were presented to members who could not attend last week’s changeover meeting:
- Frank Perez- for starting and running our successful coffee club meetings.
- Jackie D’Aurora- for reestablishing our relationship with CHS and their Interact Club and running our speaker program this year.
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to Operation Warm for winter coats for children.
Pat Beckel was the Sergeant at Arms with assistance by Brian Hayes.
- Pat B.- encouraged all members to be sure to attend the upcoming Americana Parade and festivities. About 85,000- 125,000 residents and visitors are expected. His son will be performing at Benhams Grove. He also invited members to stop by Beckel Humidor on July 5th starting at 5 PM to closing as they are having famous sports figures (Ron Harper (5-time NBA Champion), Coach Butch Carter (professional basketball player & coach) and John Jackson) there.
- Uriah A.- happy to be going camping
- Jake Hensel- for coats
- Jackie D.- just happy
- Kelly M- Operation Warm and thanks to all for the hard work to make this happen
- Jeff S.- past 3 days have been great- a lot of time in the pool with the grandkids
- Mark K- just got back from a trip to Alabama and was great to see his 4 grandkids upon his return
- Wayne D.- happy that Benham’s Grove is reopening tonight after the renovations and upgrades.
- Brad T.- has a lot to be happy for. This week two of his grandchildren are both turning two; his son, Britt and his wife are moving back to Dayton area and Brad and his wife Chris, are off on a 3-week vacation to Greece.
- Socks B.- Just happy and for coats
- Bill M- for our guest, speaker and the award winners
- Jim H.- Asked Uriah in today’s world what kind of camping is he going to be doing? (Answer- old fashion type- tents, fishing etc.)
- Don O.- Next week will be his 91st birthday (congrats- Don!)
- Dale B.- for coats
- Rand O.- just happy
- Harvey S.- happy that Elda is feeling much better.
- Elda G-G- just happy and for the recent arrival of another grandchild.
- Chuck-for his and Elaine’s 37th wedding anniversary
- Don S.- drove down Franklin St and chairs are already out for the parade.
- Lee H.- today’s farm report was focused on educating the club on wheat yields in the US. July 1st is the typical start of harvesting wheat crops. In the 2024 National Wheat Yield Contest (honestly- how many members even knew that was a thing?) a Michigan producer took 1st place with an impressive 170.1 bushels per acre. They had 516 entries with 26 national and 94 state winners.
- Ron H.- Operation Warm (we all hope he gets help soon for his mumbling problem).
- Adam- for all the award winners. His girlfriend is getting back from Wichita tonight and he is looking forward to hearing about all the projects he was supposed to do in her absence that he did not do.
Today’s speaker was Ms. Malena Ball, Marketing Coordinator for Crayons to Classrooms. She joined the organization in June 2022 and handles all media and marketing efforts to ensure the community and teachers know about this program and what it offers to help in the classrooms.
Crayons to Classrooms is a nonprofit teacher resource center providing free school supplies and materials to teachers at under-resourced schools in the Miami Valley area. The local organization currently operates in 7 counties, serving teachers in schools where 60% or more of students are enrolled in the free/reduced lunch program.
Teachers can shop 1 time per semester and on average each shopper takes approximately $678. worth of needed supplies during a single visit, all for free. Since 2009, $40 MM of supplies have been distributed by Crayons to Classrooms.
Their program makes a significant difference in these classrooms as participant surveys have revealed that teachers say this access to additional free school supplies allows them to:
- 85% of teachers can increase the variety and scope of classroom projects
- 91% of teachers provide supplies to their students who are not otherwise able to participate in classroom activities
- 94% of teachers create a more equitable learning environment for all students because of Crayons to Classrooms.
All products are donated, and the vast majority are new. Donations come from corporate in-kind donations, community and charitable supply drives and individuals donating supplies. Financial donations are also appreciated which allow for them to buy specific products they may need. Through their connections with suppliers, they can stretch every $1 donation into $5 of purchases.
Supply drives to help can be for any school supplies but shown below are the items usually in the most demand by teachers.
Volunteer opportunities also exist, both in person and off site (e.g. working from home) and can be tailored to work with your schedule. Helping out at the store could be working check in/ out or serving as a Shopping Assistant helping the teachers find what they need. At home projects could be helping to put together journals, notebooks or other materials the organization creates under their Classroom Solutions effort.
For more information or to discuss volunteering, you can reach Malena at: (937) 528-6406 or at m.ball@crayonstoclassrooms.org. Their location is at 1750 Woodman Drive, Dayton.
Next week’s meeting will be a club assembly to review goals for 2025-26.
Greeters will be Erich Eggers and Boyd Preston
President Elect Manning led the group in reciting the 4 Way Test and wished everyone a good week.
