President Mark Killingsworth presided over today’s meeting. Stephen Utroska then provided the opening prayer and A.D. Hunt led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was held at the Holiday Inn North.
Mark introduced Mallory Donald who will be returning to our club next month. He also asked club members to sign up for the Salvation Army’s bell ringing event which is coming up on December 12 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The club viewed a TED Talk presentation entitled “Emotions Have Direct Impact on the Heart.” The presenter noted that the records of our past are all engraved on the heart. Science has proven that a broken heart can be deadly. Diet, exercise and stress management can reduce heart disease.
Lucy Sanguinetti and Shirley Moore talked about the Homes of Hope and our club’s undertaking for the children this Christmas. They have purchased $750 of toys and gifts which will be presented to the children Christmas day. They will be reimbursed by the club for these expenditures. Lucy and Shirley are putting together Christmas goodie bags for all of the 28 children living there. Additionally, Mark noted that Homes of Hope is our quarterly community project. The club will present them a check in the amount of $1,000 when they speak to our club next month. Members are requested to donate $40 to cover the costs of the toys and the contribution.
Mark talked about the club’s kids coat drive. The Holiday Inn has volunteered to be a drop site for donated coats. The drive will stop on December 15. Coats need to be clean, on a hanger and in a bag.
Maura McLaughlin noted that some of the areas just outside of Hattiesburg are food deserts. Club members discussed several ways we can assist. Perhaps this will be one of our quarterly projects next year. Club members also discussed the Art Auction that, hopefully, can be planned for next Spring, depending on the COVID-19 crisis. Club members also talked about planning a Rotarian road trip one weekend, perhaps a road trip to visit the Camp Shelby Military Museum. Other possible projects that were discussed included devoting a club project to assist the Dubard School and another to assist a recovering woman’s apartment in Laurel. Residents are there because of drug abuse or physical abuse.
There being no further business to come before the club, Mark thanked those who were able to attend today’s meeting and those who joined via Zoom. He then adjourned the meeting with our motto: “Service Above Self.”