In addition to raising money, nickel by nickel, for ShelterBox, our ongoing use of the Clynk container redemption program has a varied environmental impact.
The graphic above shows just one result. We can continue doing good by getting involved in the project if you haven’t already done so.
All you have to do is:
(1.) Purchase a box of collection bags from any Hannaford market customer service desk.
(2.) Contact Bill Dowd to obtain bar code stickers to put on the bags.
(3.) Fill the bags with redeemable glass bottles, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. No need to rinse or sort them.
(4.) Take the bag to any Hannaford, use the handheld scanner in the container return area on the sticker and drop the bag in the chute.
It can’t get much simpler, and you’ll find you you won’t tend to stockpile containers at home.
Socks are among the most requested items for those military personnel deployed overseas in defense of our nation.
Rensselaer County is collecting donated socks to support the Blue Star Mothers group that frequently sends boxes to local soldiers on deployment.
Please consider supporting this effort by dropping off a donation of new socks at the Rensselaer County Office Building, 1600 7th Avenue in downtown Troy. More locations are being lined up, according to the County.
We hope you marked your calendar for this Thursday. We’ll be meeting via Zoom starting at 7 p.m. Just use the link on our website calendar page to gain access.
Since we have no guest speaker lined up, we’ll have plenty of time to discuss whatever Rotary topics are on your minds. If you would like to place an item on the agenda, please be sure to get it to President Debbie no later than Wednesday.
Also, if you can’t join us but would like to be counted toward a quorum in case we need to vote on club business, please be sure Debbie has your written OK to cast your vote, also no later than Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Becky Raymond and Kevin Leyhane are looking for programs. Check the chart below to see what dates are available for you or a guest speaker to make a presentation to the club.
Well, another messy year is nearly down the drain. So, don your party hat — and probably your face mask, depending on what you plan on doing — and jump into 2022 in just a little over two days from now.
We’re not sure what the world has in store for us in the new year, but we do know some of the things the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has lined up.
Such programs as a travelogue to a forgotten city, the resumption of our annual trivia competition, and presentations by a variety of speakers all are on tap. You can get the details by regularly visiting our club calendar online.
And remember, we’re always looking for more programs. Just check the calendar to see what’s available, then contact Becky Raymond or Kevin Leyhane to lock in the date you want and provide them with the details.
Meanwhile, begin the countdown, and … Happy New Year!
Just a part of the bounty of gifts you donated this year.
Imagine thinking your young children would be waking up tomorrow morning to a very sparse Christmas. Now, imagine as a single parent receiving a call from Circles of Mercy, telling you not to be concerned, the Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has come through once again.
That’s what happened thanks to our “Adopt-a-Family” effort for 2021, with a big boost from the Greenbush YMCA. Two moms and six kids are receiving a variety of “needs to have” and “nice to have” items donated by the generous folks of both of these organizations, and a few of their friends.
To all who helped in one way or another — wrapped gifts, gift cards, pickups, deliveries, etc. — thank you, thank you, thank you.
After a year off because of you-know-what, the “SRC Holiday Party & Basket Silent Auction” returned on Thursday evening, with a large group assembling at Moscatiello’s Italian Family Restaurant for dinner, fellowship, and some catching up among people who hadn’t seen each other in a while.
In addition to the fun, we raised more than $600 for the club treasury through the silent auction.Thanks to all who contributed themed baskets, and to those who bid on them.
Another one of the highlights was the official induction of Tony Morris as a member of Rotary, with Jim Leyhane doing the honors. Tony has been part of SRC for a while, but COVID restrictions delayed the formality. Welcome, Tony!
The dinner was the last SRC event of 2021, but we are lining up plenty of activities for the new year. Just make a practice of regularly checking the website calendar page to stay in the loop.
Meanwhile, here are a few more scenes from the evening captured by Bill Dowd and Roberto. Special thanks to Debbie Brown for providing the floral table decorations. And, thanks to Roberto Martinez and Jim Leyhane for arranging the dinner.
It may look something like The Last Supper, but it isn’t. We’ll have more.
Tony raises the flag after his induction by Jim.
Bidding early, bidding often.
Tangible proof that the basket fundraiser was paying off.
Mary Drumm and the Brewers catching up.Bill & April Dowd pose for the camera.Phil Kellerman and Andy Leyhane exchange beer tips.April visits with (some of) the Leyhanes.Roberto Martinez and his infectious smile.Tony & Debbie Morris await his induction.Debbie Brown ponders a bid.Pat Bailey and Chuck Rodriguez deep in financial discussion.Some more relaxed chat.
A brief discussion at Thursday’s Zoom meeting about Gift of Life mentioned a featured article in the Times Union about GOL and local Rotarians helping a child in Uganda.
For those of you who didn’t have the opportunity to see the article, you can access it online by clicking here.
The second of two scheduled dropoff dates for donations to our annual “Adopt-a-Family” drive for the holidays was scheduled for today at Moscatiello’s.
How did we do? How many people showed up?
Drum roll, please!
1
That’s right. Exactly one person showed up at the 5:30-6:00 p.m. session.
This year we have only one family, a small one — a mom and two kids — to buy for. (We had accepted two families proposed by Circles of Mercy, but the Greenbush YMCA volunteered to take the other.) Nevertheless, we have a significant number of items on the recommended shopping list still unfilled.
We’ll be discussing the situation during Thursday’s 7 p.m. Zoom meeting to see what we can do to return to our usual level of holiday giving. Meanwhile, here’s the latest update as of 7:30 p.m. this evening. Items in red are taken care of, all others still are needed.
Today is December 7. That means in just nine days we’ll be resuming our annual Holiday Party & Basket Auction, a festive event that was derailed last year by the pandemic. Are you ready?
The key to a good time is creation of themed gift baskets (cost in the $35-40 range) that fellow partygoers can bid on as a way to raise funds for our treasury in support of community service activities.
We’ve been sharing some basket ideas over the past month (see here and here), and this post has several more if your imaginations need jump-starting. Just bring the finished products with you to Moscatiello’s at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, when fully-vaxxed Rotarians and friends of Rotary gather to ring in the holiday season. No advance reservations needed.
We hope you are planning to join your fellow Rotarians for dinner this Thursday at Moscatiello’s? If so, you’ll have the choice of one of three entrees:
• spaghetti and meatballs with marina sauce • chicken Caesar salad • baked ziti
No need to reserve in advance. Just let us know your choice when you arrive. And remember, a cash bar is available to find a beverage complement to your meal. (If you’re not planning to attend, you can email your proxy to Debbie Rodriguez at debannrod@yahoo.com no later than Wednesday. You’ll be counted as “present” for quorum purposes.)
Our guest speaker will be Richard Zazycki, executive director of Circles of Mercy, who will share his thoughts on running a family aid organization under pandemic conditions.
And remember, Thursday will be one of just two drop-off days for your donations (the other is Wednesday, December 8) to our “Adopt-a-Family” holiday project. Coordinator Bill Dowd will be posted in the Moscatiello’s parking lot from 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. each of those days to receive your wrapped-and-labeled donations. (Look for his white Subaru Impreza.)
NOTE: Please do not bring gifts into the restaurant, even if you plan to stay for dinner. We don’t want to intrude on other customers’ space.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 