Vineland Rotary Newsletter 27, 2023 (Nov 26, 2023)

____________________________________________________________

Highlights from our

November 21st Meeting

President Andy Browne called the meeting to order. Dawn Hunter led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Denise Jackson led us in the 4 Way Test. Jay Einstein gave the invocation. Linda Rumick was our notetaker. Don Daigle was our guest and is a potential new member. Andy welcomed back members Anna Saul, Joe Ianni and Preston Centuolo!

Eileen Duffy spoke about her annual Christmas ornament sale that benefits the Ed Duffy Rotary Scholarship which is presented in memory of Eileen's late husband, Ed Duffy. Each year, Eileen fashions unique handmade ornaments and presents them for sale at a Rotary meeting. In addition to donating the proceeds, Eileen matches them dollar for dollar. Most of the items are available for $5. Please bring cash or checks for purchases.

Sherry Soutiere reminded everyone that the Special Needs Christmas Party will be held at Rossi School on Wednesday, December 13th. Volunteers should report by 9 am. Please sign up as a volunteer at our next meeting our contact Sherry: ssoutiere41@verizon.net. Make sure you check your email for your Invitation for the annual Rotary Holiday Dinner Tuesday, December 12th at 6 pm at Merighi's Savoy Inn, Remember, we will be assembling gift bags for the 200+ guests at the Special Needs Party the following day. Featured at our Holiday Dinner will be Jay Park's photographicd presentation of the Year in Review, Sherry also asked everyone to bring contributions for the SPCA to our next meeting. SPCA was chosen as the recipient of our November food collection.

Wreaths of Remembrance -

Rotarians will once again gather at the Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery (Trench Road in Bridgeton, NJ 08302) to place wreaths on the graves of area veterans to mark the holiday season. This year we will be joined by members of the Bridgeton Rotary. Volunteers report at 9 AM (attach bows to wreaths etc.) Ceremony starts at 10 AM

Don't miss any of our activities - check the

"Upcoming Events" section below!

________________________________________________________

Our Program - Cumberland County Campus Education Foundation, Rowan College of South Jersey

Presented by:

Maria LeBlanc, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Dr. Maria LeBlanc, a Vineland Rotarian, has spent 20 years in higher education. As Executive Director of the Cumberland Campus Educational Foundation, she has overseen a variety of activities that support scholarships and other programs that support approximately 300 students annually.

The School Counts! program is one of the Foundation’s most substantial and endurin

g programs. Founded in 2002, the program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships. School Counts! offers two year scholarships to Cumberland County students attending RCSJ’s Cumberland campus. To support this program, the Foundation and RCSJ enlists participation from local businesses. Norm Neill, also a Vineland Rotarian, is Chairman of the School Counts! Advisory Board and is a Foundation Board Member. Norm provided an overview of the development of the program.

The Foundation also supports food insecurity programs, contributing $1000 per semester for food for students. Support for Clay College is strong, including the recent purchase of two kilns. The ACT Program (Adult Center in Transition) which assists students with disabilities, does not get federal funding, receives about $10,000 per year from the Foundation. The Foundation also provides funds for theatre programs, healthcare for students on campus, equipment for radiology and nursing programs and leadership programs. Maria noted that supplies for nursing students can be very expensive, with one nursing book costing almost $1000 and lab kits costing approximately $400.

The Foundation has a number of fund raising events that support its contributions to student programs including Designer Handbag Bingo (2/2/24), Foundation Luau (4/6/24) and the School Counts! Foundation Golf Outing (6/6/24).

For more information, visit the Foundation’s website: www.cumberlandfoundation.org

Thank you Maria and Norm for an excellent presentation!

________________________________________________

Here are some of our members and guests

who enjoyed Tuesday's meeting --

Sherry S

outiere and Frank Rumick collected Happy Dollars - collecting stories and dollars throughout the room. Happy members included Donna Bennett, Harry Maloney, Joe Ianni, Dawn Hunter, Denise Jackson, Frank Rumick and potential member, Don Daigle.

AMURTEL Christmas Boutique - Tuesday, December 5th!

Our December 5th meeting will feature the annual gift boutique benefiting AMURTEL. Items available at the boutique include excellent gift ideas for the holidays including jewelry, scarves, hats (adult and children

s), handbags and backpacks, ceramic dinnerware, Christmas ornaments and MUCH more! Pictured are just a few examples of items that will be offered for sale at the boutique.

Please remember to bring cash and/or checks for payments for your gift choices. No credit cards will be accepted.

______________________________________________________________

New Member Proposed

Robyn Granberg has been proposed for membership by Rob Tola.

She is employed with Newfield National Bank.

Two lucky folks will travel to Dallas for the Sunday Night Rivalry Game on 12/10/2023! Donate below and select Rotary Club of Vineland as your favorite Non Profit Organization below and be entered to win today!

The winner of this sweepstakes will receive the following: