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                        Volume 15                       November 5, 2021
Stories
ALISON MATAS SMITH & AARON BROWN, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY EAST CENTRAL OHIO
 
 
Alison Matas Smith joined Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio in 2020 as the Development Director. In her role, she writes grants, meets with donors and community partners, and helps create marketing materials that tell the Habitat story. She's thrilled to be on staff with an organization that is dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods and improving quality of life for Stark County residents. Before joining Habitat, Alison worked for The Canton Repository, where she wrote about economic development initiatives in Stark County, such as Strengthening Stark and Hall of Fame Village. Alison has a master's degree from the University of Missouri and a bachelor's degree from Marietta College. She lives in Jackson Township with her husband, Ryan, and their puppy, Kozmo. 
 
Aaron Brown has been involved in the not-for-profit world most of his life. Aaron’s father was the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society where Aaron spent many hours volunteering. Through these early endeavors, a foundation of community development was laid. Aaron’s community-focused career has ranged from positions within churches to targeted neighborhood revitalization and development. Currently, Aaron is the Director of Neighborhood Investment with Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. Within his role he facilitates property acquisition and development, targeted neighborhood renewal strategies, community relations, and product procurement for construction projects and Habitat ReStore. This position marries his passions for helping people, building solid relationships in the community, and furthering the Habitat mission of ending poverty housing. Aaron is also an actor, with more than 25 years of theatrical and film experience. He is a city of Canton resident, a husband of 22 years, and a father of 3 boys. 
 
Alison and Aaron will give us an update on our local Habitat's mission to provide people with a 'hand up, not a hand out' in assisting them to build affordable housing for themselves and, in the process, to improve neighborhoods.
NEW PERMANENT ZOOM LINK FOR MEETINGS
Thanks to Jennie George, we now have a new recurring Zoom link for those of you who prefer to attend on-line. 
 
You can join us remotely each week on Zoom at the following Link: 
 
MENU FOR 11/5/21
MeatloafCornMashed Potatoes and GravyMini Salad BarRoll/ButterBeverageDessert
PRESIDENT MARK'S WEEKLY INSIGHTS

Welcome to November,

As of today, 1/3 of my year as President is done. That is just too hard to believe! My wife might disagree with it being hard to believe. It is interesting how much our partners are vested in us. They cheer us on when we succeed and lift us up when we don’t. Not every swing is a homerun. A hit every third at bat gets us in the HOF! If you haven’t yet, take an opportunity this week to thank your partner for all the support they provide. 

Last week I had the honor of providing a lunch meeting anniversary and birthday celebration for Pete Taflan. If you were there, you got to say hello to a fine man that celebrated 57 years as a Canton Rotarian as we celebrated his 100th birthday that will occur November 24, 2021. I was both honored and humbled in being a small part of this. Thanks to Larry Pitts for making sure that this happened,

This week we have Aaron Brown and Alison Matas Smith providing some insights on Habitat for Humanity in our area, and quite possibly providing some opportunities for our neighborhood engagement. I had a great time on the last project with Past President Craig Young creating the pocket park.

Don’t forget to register for the meeting and let’s all try to get involved in something Rotary.

President Mark  

WHAT'D I MISS LAST WEEK? 
At our regular meeting on Friday 10/29/21, President Mark welcomed a total of 42 Rotarians and guests, who included Ron Blackledge, former member Paul Kroh, and Peter Taflan Junior (who joined us on Zoom), all of whom were with us to recognize and celebrate Rotarian Pete Taflan's 100th birthday! President Mark recognized Pete's long time service to Canton Rotary, as well as his military service and vast involvement in other civic organizations. Mark also arranged for those in attendance to share TWO birthday cakes with Pete. Congrats Pete on 100 years and counting of a life well spent! 
 
Secretary Paula presented the following:
 
This Day in History:

· 1636 – Harvard University, Cambridge, founded by a vote of the Massachusetts General Court.

· 1858 – R. H. Macy & Co opens 1st store, (6th Ave-NYC) Gross receipts $11.06

· 1886 – The Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. It was celebrated by the first ticker-tape parade in NYC.

· 1929 – Today was Black Tuesday when the Wall Street Stock Market crashed, triggering the Great Depression.

· 1972 - Don Cockroft of Cleveland Browns kicks 57-yard field goal.

Fun Fact:

Astronaut John Glenn takes Sea-Monkey eggs into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery. After returning to Earth, they were hatched eight weeks later, apparently unaffected by their voyage. Unfortunately, earlier experiments with Sea-Monkey eggs that traveled to the Moon and back were not so successful, as the higher level of cosmic rays adversely affected the eggs with only 10% surviving to adulthood.

Happy Bucks:

Dave Ewing

Dan Mathews

Suzette Mathews

Steve Fettman

Rick Taylor

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT "IN A DAY" AT MARLINGTON
As Junior Achievement chair for the Rotary Club of Canton, I have been staying in touch with JA about opportunities for us to 'mentor' young people through JA's programs of entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and job preparation. I have asked JA to provide volunteer opportunities in Canton City Schools primarily, but they have also communicated other volunteer needs in other districts.
 
Here's one at Marlington Middle School. Let me know if you're interested in helping: 
 

Marlington Middle School

Teacher- Kylie Shackle

Program- JA Economics for Success

Date- JAID November 19th

Times- 7:45am- 2:25pm

Volunteers- 7 secured, 5 needed (each volunteer will teach the same lesson, 3 times)

8:53- 9:38       Morning Session 1

9:41- 10:26     Morning Session 2

10:29-11:14    Morning Session 3

11:17-11:47    LUNCH

11:50-12:30    Afternoon Session 1

12:33-1:13      Afternoon Session 2

1:16-1:56        Afternoon Session 3

Program Overview:

https://jausa.ja.org/dA/823f90631b/file/JA%20Economics%20for%20Success%20Program%20Overview%20(1).pdf

Program Brief:

https://jausa.ja.org/dA/468f63ae96/file/JA%20Economics%20for%20Suc

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR 2022 RI CONVENTION IN HOUSTON, TEXAS
 
 
Registration for the 2022 Rotary International Convention, which will be held in Houston, Texas, (June 4-8th)  is now open.
 
To view details on the 2022 RI Convention, click on the picture or "Register Now"
 
 
Russell Hampton
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