President Chief Pat rang the bell to begin the meeting at 12:29.

Jim Mc Kamy had the honor of leading us in the Pledge.  Don Ludwig and Griff Duncan then led us as we sang God Bless America.

Guests:

Greg Hickman had the pleasure of announcing the guests for the day:

Bill Heaton’s guest was Don Schoendorfer.

Larry Bennett from Sunrise Rotary was there.  He is joining our club!

Mitch Hovey brought Ned Doffoney.

Bill McGarvey, II invited Bill McGarvey, III for the day.

Announcements:

Allyn Lean spoke for one minute on what Rotary International is doing regarding the water project in India.  Request for funds go directly to the foundation and are matched by Rotary at the District level and all the way up the organization.  A short film was presented about the water project in India.  Chief Pat thanked Allyn and J Richey, Vern Andrews, Terri Prado, Dan Ouweleen and Mike Oates for all their hard work.

Joe Lins, doing double duty acting as Town Crier, announced that the Fullerton Union High School Academy of the Arts is presenting the play “Treasure Island” on Nov. 7, 8, 14 & 15 at 7:30pm and matinees on Nov. 8 and 15 at 1:30pm in the FUHS Little Theater.  Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 13.  Call Cathy Gach for information at (714) 626-3803.

The 2008-2009 Titans Women’s Basketball Exhibition Game is Saturday, Nov. 8th at 1pm in the Titan Gym.  They will be playing CSULA.  Admission is free.  There will be a Taco Bar Lunch with the Titans Coaching Staff and Team following the game for $10.

All Rotarians are invited to join their fellow Rotarians for the Huntington Harbor Light Parade on Thursday, Dec. 11th, 2008.  Meet at the Panda Palace Restaurant on Pacific Coast Highway for Dinner on your own before you proceed to the Huntington Harbor Boat Parade Loading Zone on Algonquin in Huntington Beach.  Cost is $15.

Recognition Master:

Griff Duncan did a spectacular job as our Recognition Master for the day.

Dick Jones was fined $3 and given a standing ovation through the chants of “12 More Years!”

Rick Crane missed the ribbon cutting at the YMCA.

Tom Meyer was fined $3 for being a graduate of the “Flash in the Pan” University of Illinois.

Ken Kaisch’s wife Julia celebrated a birthday yesterday.  Who said politics is like a football game?  Eugene McCarthy.  Fined $3.

Bill Kincaid just celebrated 58 years of wedded bliss.  Fined $3.

Bill McGarvey’s 86th Birthday is today!  Fined $2.

Griff mailed his Rotary dues to AAA and his AAA dues to Rotary.  Fined $5.
“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”

Drawing:

Last week the # was 812281 – Bill Hite won – No DooWopp for him

This week the Ticket # was 812369.  The winner was Kathy Allred with her pal Larry.

Running bear by Johnny Presto – ding, ding, ding we have a winner!!! $60.

Let the Program begin…
     Bill Heaton introduced our speaker Don Schoendorfer founder of the Wheelchair Mission.  Don was Philanthropist of the Year in 2008.  Don founded the Wheelchair Mission. 
There are 100,000,000 people in the world unable to walk only crawl or to be carried by family members.  There is no medical program to help them.  Don designed a wheelchair built with a white resin patio chair.  On his first trip to the third world he took 4 chairs and 30 people came out in need.  In 2001 he knew he had to come back with 500 chairs.  Based on faith he chose to follow this path.
Wheelchairs are built for where we live and not Third World countries.  He told us a story about Lotus Blossom who could not walk and could only see from one eye and the radiant smile on her face when she was put in her new wheelchair.  She was now ready for her first ride outside.  Time went on and she began to use the wheelchair as a walker and three years later the mission group went back and discovered Lotus had taught herself to walk.  She soon gave the wheelchair to someone else who could use it.
The benefit of these wheelchairs is that they are rugged, functional and durable.  They are currently manufactured in China and shipped by sea 550 at a time.  They come in a kit and are easy to assemble, usually on site.  The cost is $51.29 each.  They have currently given more than 360,000 wheelchairs and the goal is to hit 500,000 this year.
The wheelchairs are lasting over 17 months.  The health of the individuals improved and 69% of pressure sores were reduced or eliminated.  They can do many more things including improving family life and becoming employed.  As of today, he has a backlog of a little more than 70,000.
For more information about Don and his mission go to  www.freewheelchairmission.org

Prior to closing President/Chief Pat reiterated;

November 15th is the Foundation dinner.

December 11th is the Boat Parade.  See Commander Dick Daybell for information.

December 12th is the Sock Hop at the Boys & Girls Club.

Meeting adjourned and the bell rung…..1:29pm