Allyn Lean pre-empted the meeting with an announcement that the District has given free-raffle tickets to those Rotarians that have made recent donations to the Rotary Foundation.  He distributed the tickets and demonstrated to those people how to write their name, address and phone number on the tickets and how to separate the halves so that, if drawn, their week on the Big Island will find its way back to them.

Prez-Chief Pat further pre-empted his meeting to award Past Prez and Assistant District Gov. Joyce Cappelle the coveted Fullerton Police Department shoulder patch for all the work that she does on behalf of the Fullerton Rotary Club.

The meeting was finally officially called to order and after the pledge of allegiance was recited, Griff Duncan led the club in “God Bless America” followed by  “Smile”.  Maryalyce Jeremiah gave the invocation. Newest Niner Bill Goetsch introduced Visiting Rotarian and frequent visitor Ted Russell from Placentia Rotary Club and Larry Bennett from Fullerton Sunrise.  Bill then introduced Rotarians with guests that included Ray Ashcroft (son Cliff) and Terri Prado (Charles Hesketh and Chet Dawson).

Joe Lins acted as Town Crier and made some absolutely fascinating non-Rotary announcements.

Ray Ashcroft announced that next week Dr. Jim Young will perform the current addition of his one man Paul Harris show.  Ray also says he in making available 4 copies of Dr. Young’s 1995 performance.  These tapes are in their original packaging and are un-opened.  They are collector’s editions and will be auctioned off next week. The proceeds of this auction will go to the new Ashcroft Education Fund started recently.

Jim Williams announced that the District drive to mail Holiday Boxes to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan is underway.  Rotarians are asked to purchase a Flat Rate Priority Mailing box from the post office for $10.95 and fill it to the brim with treats for our serviceman.  Include a note of thanks in general to the serviceman and include your name and the name of our Rotary club and mail the box to:

Craig Miller or Current Administrator
USMI Freedom Rest
APO AE 09316

After completing this task please call Fullerton Rotarian Diane Masseth Jones or E-mail her at dmassethjones@ywcanoc.org so that she may make a progress report to the District. 
IMPORTANT! IF YOU CANNOT FIND THE TIME TO MAIL THIS PARCEL YOURSELF YOU SHOULD BUY A FEW ITEMS (ABOUT THREE POUNDS WORTH OF GOODIES) AND DROP THEM OFF WITH YOUR NOTE AND $10.95 TO THE YWCA AT 215 E. COMMONWEALTH AVE, WHERE VOLUNTEERS WILL PUT THIS PACKAGE TOGETHER FOR YOU.
PLEASE MAIL OR DROP OFF THESE PACKAGES BY MONDAY, DECEMBER 9

Recognition master Mike Oates donned a #3 Texas Longhorns Cap and promptly tipped it to all the Veterans present at Rotary today. 

He also fined Prez Chief Pat for the article in the paper recently that described his long career in Law Enforcement and announced his planned retirement in May of 2009.

Mike also recognized Maryalyce Jeremiah on the eve of her next season and shared the clubs good wishes for a winning season this year.

Mike recognized Joyce Cappelle on her recent birthday.
Jim Williams paid the birthday fine for his sponsor Jim Vanderburg’s birthday.
Jim Blake and Dick Mathewson were also recognized for their birthdays.
Bill Heaton insisted there was no need to be reminded of Milly’s Birthday later this week.
And finally Michael La will celebrate Kristi’s birthday on the 15th.

Mike also recognized the Members of the Morningside football team on their resounding victory this weekend.  Several able bodied starters of that team were in attendance and stood up to receive accolades and appreciation but David Shoen threw cold water on the celebration by announcing the loosing team was actually a Catholic Girls School!  All the same it was a great effort by Les, Buck, Howard, and Jim (the Morningside Fearsome Foursome).

Mike had some other comments to make about college football but decided to cut them short as the ever-smiling Prez Pat offered to demonstrate the famous LAPD non-lethal choke hold on him.

Bill Schenk had the winning ticket and selected Randy McFarland as his helper.   Good thing he did because with his help he was able to identify the mystery song as Sam Cook’s original recording of  “Bring it on home to me” with Lou Rawls and Fullerton Rotarian Lee Brokett singing back up.  The $50 prize was donated to the Foundation.

The program today was presented by Joan Kilgrow who talked about the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST)

Joan gave a passionate program that described the founding and maturation of this fine program and credited the Fullerton Police Department in part for the ongoing success of this amazing and successful program.  Joan also talked about how anyone interested can become a trained advocate in the program.

Speak up for a child

Not in strident rants & raves
That echo sounds of torment,
But simple quiet ways that lift the spirit,
heal the pain...
Dry a tear, calm a parent, give away a smile.
Stop and listen to what they say,
Really listen for awhile.

Speak up for a child with the firmness of pen to paper
Reporting in court.  By the safety and protection of your badge,
Or the healing touch of a medical exam.

Keep the promise of your advocacy, bringing hope today, one day, on child at a time.

Please.....Please speak up for a child
For they have no voice of their own.

Marian Gillespie

This is the fourth year that Rotary District 5320 and Operation: A Bit of Home has sponsored a drive to send Holiday Boxes to our TROOPS. Last year the Rotary Clubs in District 5320 sent 1,200 boxes bringing the Operation: A Bit of Home three year total to over 14,000 boxes!

A Call To Action
We are asking each member to put together HOLIDAY BOXES for the troops in Iraq. Here is what you need to do:

1. Obtain a Flat Rate Priority Mailing Box from the Post Office; the cost is $10.95 each. (You will need customs form 2976A to show contents of the box.)
2. Obtain items to fill the box, i.e. Beef Jerky, Cards, Batteries, Pringle Potato Chips, Non-melting candy, gum, licorice, trail mix, instant foods, powered drinks mixes (Hot & Cold), nuts, DVD’s, crafts, T-shirts, letters and a pound of coffee or tea.
3. Include a note on your club’s letterhead or note your club name and location.
4. Drop it in the mail to:

Craig Miller or Current Administrator
USMI Freedom Rest
APO AE 09316

1. Let Diane Masseth-Jones know that you sent the HOLIDAY BOX by e-mail at dmassethjones@ywcanoc.org. A progress report will be submitted to Mr. Bob Meyer pp Rotary Club of Orange.

Don’t have the time?

If time is a problem, purchase your items the next time you do your shopping at Cosco, or the local .grocery store.  Drop your items, your note, and $10.95 for postage at the YWCA North Orange County, 215 E. Commonwealth Avenue, Fullerton. YWCA Volunteers will put together your package and take them to the Post Office for you. It is as easy as that to put a smile on a soldier’s face. Deadline for making up boxes and submitting items is Monday, December 9, 2008.

Happy Holidays!