Meeting called to order by Vice-President Rachelle Lopp at 12:30pm.
Sergio Michel led the pledge of allegiance.
Suzanne Boxer-Grassman presented a fun-filled video of the CrabFest 2024 celebration, followed by lists and lists of all the Rotarians that made this CrabFest possible and the most profitable auction ever!
$100,000 was raised for 100 years of service; $123,626 gross, $102,042 net; and a $14,640 check was presented to the Bill Wilson Center. Kudos to all 70 plus people, including: Rachelle (social media), John Pencer (the face of CrabFest), Lissa (brought in more dollars than ever before); kitchen team, shopping crew, soup makers, bartenders, set-up crew, boy scouts, décor and so many more. And thanks to CrabTech for online bidding, which was a huge success: bidders, buyers, winners and donors!
Visitors:
Richard Bobis sponsored and presented a red badge to Michael Butcher, a retired physician.
Dick Konrad brought in Kevin Haas and Lloyd Thyen from the Boy Scouts of America to give us an update.
Our Rotarians in the Wild this week are Gae La Torre and Diane Eriksson in Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia.
Decorated eggs St. Lukes Pantry: A salute to President’s Day.
Announcements:
March 5: First Tuesday Happy Hour. Ed Stahl has graciously opened up his home, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, 110 Twins Oaks Dr., Los Gatos 95032.
Janice LeFevre: Inner Wheel Raffle. The Foundation provides upper extremity prosthetics to those 6 months to 18 years. Please help support Inner Wheel by purchasing tickets to win any one of 6 beautiful baskets worth $300 to $700 (tax deductible).
Boy Scouts Update: Kevin Haas and Lloyd Thyen presented an update to the partnership between the Boy Scouts and Rotary in serving young people that dates back to the Rotary Charter of 1924. The principles and goals of both organizations are closely aligned; teaching leadership skills, service to others, self; and character building.
They have 45 scouts in their group with 2 being Eagle Scouts. The Scouts have helped with The Great Race, clean-ups and volunteer work. Senior Scouts help mentor younger kids.
The Rotary funded the renovation of a dilapidated hut that added new flooring and paint. The kids remarked on the “new” carpet; but found out it was newly shampooed! Thank you, Rotary!
Blood Drive: Jeff Blum is asking for volunteers (no, you don’t have to donate blood) to help Sunday, March 16th at St. Lukes Church from 8am to 2pm. Sign-ups on the tables.
Centennial Gala: Mike Norcia gave us a quick update that tickets for the Club Centennial at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga on Tuesday, May 7th will go on sale March 12th. Cost is $170 per person.
Projects:
Today we had an in-meeting service project with Sourcewise, which helps Seniors in need and their caregivers. We filled over 200 bags with literature for distribution to Sourcewise.