As a reminder to members, there will be NO WEEKLY MEETINGS on December 25th and January 1st due to the Holidays. We will not be sending out a Rotogram the week of December 28th, but will keep Members informed by email of any important business.
We wish everyone a very Happy Holiday season and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
For our Holiday program this year, Rotarian Michelle Mullaly turns to her friends in the arts to provide us with Holiday musical entertainment. String students from the Arts Academy at Summit will perform for you.
Youth Exchange Chairwoman Amy Mustafaga would like everyone in the club to consider becoming the new Host Family for our Youth Exchange Student, Ella Vehmas. Ella, who is from Finland, will need a new home beginning in mid January until mid June.
If you would like to become the new host family or you know of a friend or family member who would like to host this young lady, please contact the Rotary office at (330) 452-2882. You may also contact Amy at (330) 760-4079 if you have any questions regarding becoming a Host Family.
On December 11, 2015, President Paul White presented a check in the amount of $2,500.00 to Kevin Smith, incoming President for the Stark County District Library Foundation. This check represents funds received from a District Matching Grant which is designed to fund small-scale, short-term activities that address a need in the community.
This grant will help create Family Place spaces in two libraries in the City of Canton. In order to prepare the children of Ohio for success in life, the State has recently instituted the Third Grade Guarantee. This means that all students must be reading at a third grade level in order to advance to the fourth grade. In Canton, 38% of third grade students were not reading at this level and required intervention. Studies show that children who start school behind are very likely to stay behind throughout their education. Those students who start school with pre-literacy skills in place are much more likely to remain successful throughout school. The Stark County District Library is a critical partner in education focusing on reaching children before they get to school. By supporting pre-schools, teachers, parents, and students, they play a vital role in getting children ready for school, ready to read and ready to succeed.
As part of the Start Smart initiative which emphasizes early literacy, the Stark County District Library has Family Place spaces in two of the Canton city branches already. Those branches have seen an increase in use by families and more interaction between the parents and their children. They have seen the impact of Family Place Libraries in helping parents with the vital job of being their children's first teacher and in connecting families to resources that are available in the community.
The Library and the Rotary Club of Canton will co-host a launch event for this project in order to increase public awareness. Rotarians will have the opportunity to assist with the planning and implementation of a family friendly event to celebrate the opening of the new Family Place spaces.
Pictured: President Paul White, Rotarian Tena Wilson, Kevin Smith
Thank you to all Rotarians who contributed to the waitresses' Holiday tip. We collected $591.00 to be divided among these fine men and women who care for our needs each and every week.
I walked outside last night and saw my flag and this came to my mind....Several years ago we moved into a house which had a large flag pole in the front yard. Over the years we replaced the flags as they wore out. We currently have on the pole a very large American flag which floats in the wind with grace.
In the morning when I wake and look out the window, I catch a glimpse of my beautiful flag floating in the breeze. It is so majestic, and of course, its lighted so day or night it's always very visible.
Why am I writing about my flag on this Christmas and Holiday Season? The flag reminds me every day how fortunate we are to live in America and how fortunate we are to be able to celebrate the holidays whatever religion we may be and to share time with family, friends, co-workers and of course fellow Rotarians.
I wish all of you a very happy and joyful Holiday Season and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Oh and by the way, when I drive down the final street to my home there it is our Stars and Stripes fluttering in the breeze and greeting me.
My very best regards to all Rotarians and your families.
Each October is the annual fund drive for the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund. As Rotarians, we all subscribe to “Service Above Self”. The annual Charitable Fund drive is a way we can all follow the Service Above Self motto. The annual drive is critical to having the funds to support our traditional local projects such as: Rotary Scouts, Philomatheon Society, Sister Rotary Club in Dominican Republic, Junior Achievement, Stark County Library, Exchange Students (inbound and outbound), Project Warm and many more. We recently have not been able to grant funds to all the worthy programs and charities that we would want to support.
I feel we are at a critical stage for our Rotary Club, a point where we need to show the community we are a valuable asset to the future growth of Canton and are an integral part of the change in Canton. One way to accomplish this is to have projects branded under Canton Rotary that are visible and recognized by the city and everyone who visits. For Canton Rotary to be able to make an impact that is permanent and branded in Canton, we need a healthy charitable fund.
I ask that each Rotarian donate to the Charitable Fund this year. While no donation is too small, we are asking that each Rotarian donate at least $100. If you cannot donate $100, please donate $25 or whatever amount you are able. Personally, I am doubling my donation from previous years, and ask everyone to do the same if possible.
We made a nice splash with our Canton Rotary Oktoberfest, let’s keep the momentum going with this year’s Canton Rotary Charitable Fund drive. Our goal this year is $15,000. Please join me in this journey so when we say we are “The Finest Rotary Club in the World” we know that each and every one of us is a part of making that claim true.
With sincere gratitude,
Craig A. Young
President-Elect
At our weekly meeting on December 11, 2015, President Paul White made an announcement regarding the "tip jar" for Mr. Mike's Catering staff and that the tip jar would be coming around to each table. He also relayed this was the last day to turn in the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Challenge envelope.
President Paul informed the members starting on January 8, 2016, the price of a weekly lunch would increase to $13.00.
President Paul was then pleased to introduce Kevin Smith, incoming President of the Stark County District Library Foundation. Paul presented a check in the amount of $2,500.00 to the Stark County District Library Foundation on behalf of the Rotary Club of Canton's District Project (see story).
Rotarian Shawn Dougherty took to the podium to announce a possible fellowship night out at a Canton Charge basketball game.
President Paul asked if anyone was planning on bringing a guest to next week's Holiday program to PLEASE contact the Rotary office and RSVP their guest(s). We want to ensure there is sufficient seating and food available for everyone.
Club Secretary Michelle Mullaly welcomed the following guests to our meeting: Joe Wagner and Kevin Smith.
The "Happy Bucks" news was then provided by the following Rotarians: Dean Gogolewski was happy to announce the annual Y 5K race in a few weeks. Flyers were on the table and he asked if each member would take a flyer and display it at their place of business; Bill Sparks was very pleased to announce his daughter was married last weekend and she also graduated with her Masters Degree; Bill Liber was happy to announce his youngest daughter took her final exam at Loyola- which she got all "A's"!; and Tena Wilson was happy to have her guest, Kevin Smith, in attendance. Kevin is owner of PPI Graphics.
The following Rotarians turned in a makeup during Friday's meeting: Bill Maddox (Jackson); Dave Ewing (North Canton) and Dan Spring (Salvation Army Bell-Ringing).
.gif)
As a reminder to members, there will be NO WEEKLY MEETINGS on December 25th and January 1st due to the Holidays. We will not be sending out a Rotogram the week of December 28th, but will keep Members informed by email of any important business.
For our Holiday program this year, Rotarian Michelle Mullaly turns to her friends in the arts to provide us with Holiday musical entertainment. String students from the Arts Academy at Summit will perform for you.
Youth Exchange Chairwoman Amy Mustafaga would like everyone in the club to consider becoming the new Host Family for our Youth Exchange Student, Ella Vehmas. Ella, who is from Finland, will need a new home beginning in mid January until mid June.
On December 11, 2015, President Paul White presented a check in the amount of $2,500.00 to Kevin Smith, incoming President for the Stark County District Library Foundation. This check represents funds received from a District Matching Grant which is designed to fund small-scale, short-term activities that address a need in the community. .jpg)
As of January 8, 2016, our weekly luncheon price will be raised to $13.00 per week. Any questions, please contact President Paul White. Thank you.
Thank you to all Rotarians who contributed to the waitresses' Holiday tip. We collected $591.00 to be divided among these fine men and women who care for our needs each and every week.
I walked outside last night and saw my flag and this came to my mind....Several years ago we moved into a house which had a large flag pole in the front yard. Over the years we replaced the flags as they wore out. We currently have on the pole a very large American flag which floats in the wind with grace.
Each October is the annual fund drive for the Canton Rotary Charitable Fund. As Rotarians, we all subscribe to “Service Above Self”. The annual Charitable Fund drive is a way we can all follow the Service Above Self motto. The annual drive is critical to having the funds to support our traditional local projects such as: Rotary Scouts, Philomatheon Society, Sister Rotary Club in Dominican Republic, Junior Achievement, Stark County Library, Exchange Students (inbound and outbound), Project Warm and many more. We recently have not been able to grant funds to all the worthy programs and charities that we would want to support..jpg)
At our weekly meeting on December 11, 2015, President Paul White made an announcement regarding the "tip jar" for Mr. Mike's Catering staff and that the tip jar would be coming around to each table. He also relayed this was the last day to turn in the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Fellow Challenge envelope.