Success Through Teamwork 12/19/12

Dear fellow Rotarians and friends, 

As we gathered together for the final meeting of the year, we did so with heavy hearts. Too fresh on our minds were the tragedies of Newtown Connecticut. As Rotarians we are always of a mind to ask, "What can I do, how can I help?" Traditionally and weekly we add to our funds by buying raffle tickets for prizes and a chance on a 50/50 card drawing. It is normal to bring in $40 to $60 a week and on some rare occasions, maybe more. With no advanced warning, at the beginning of the meeting President Jim Vuchsas announced that all raffle funds raised would go to the Newtown Rotary Club Foundation in support of the families touched by the insanity. We will be sending a check for $227. I am always proud to be a Rotarian, this week I am extremely proud to be a Rotarian. Thank you President Jim!

This week's guests included a large St. Bernard High School presence and GG (great grandmother) Doris Bills, Gwen's mom. Representing St. Bernard were good friends Mike Alvarez, Kelley LaBouf and Maureen Robinson. Today's entertainment from the school were returning favorites Briana Cooper and Ashley Stanley, joined by first time visitor Vince Vilipon. After breakfast the girls brought beautiful holiday songs to us and Vince some very adept guitar playing. They were not only generous with their talents, but when they heard of our Newtown efforts, they returned part of our monitory thank you, to go back east. As we do each week, a book will be donated to a local school in the names of these special performers. We also posted a couple of photos in an album on the Club website Homepage. We are blessed by our partnership with St. Bernard HS. 

A reminder to all, there will be no meeting next week and our first meeting of 2013 will be on January 2nd with the annual White Elephant Gift Exchange. If Santa brings you some "ca ca" this year, re-wrap and bring it on 1/2 to participate. We can't fully attest to the feeling that "One man's trash is another man's treasure," but in the past we have seen some people move up a couple of rungs on the dumb crap scale. Fun is guaranteed. 

Gwen Vuchsas updated the Club on one of the most successful Santa Tours ever. Firstly, big time thanks to Tony Palermo and family for their hard work as Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves. They hit five stops in our service area with equal enthusiasm and energy. At each stop Santa was greeted by Rotarians staffing tables serving hot chocolate and cookies. We have never had more neighborhood thank yous. A full compliment of photos from Don Culton, Judith Ciancimino, Gwen Vuchsas and the author have been posted in an album on the Club's website Homepage. Playa Venice brought the spirit of the season to our neighbors, thanks to our Los Angeles Fire Department partners and the "anchor families" at at stop.

Gwen reminded everyone that there would be no meeting on January 9th and that the presentation of Teacher Mini Grants on January 11th would serve as that week's meeting. It will take place at the Playa Vista Center Pointe Club with Sibyl Buchanan and Playa Vista sponsoring the food. Gwen handed out the last of the 142 grants to be read and judged. At last count it looks like we will be distributing about $20,000. This is a great day for the Club and if you have not participated first hand it is an opportunity not to be missed. 

Two special Rotarians were acknowledged by Christina Davis for their annual accomplishment of making through another year and they did it on the same day. Lucy Wegner and President Jim celebrated their birthdays on Dec.11th and the Club memorialized the day with a gift and an incredibly bad version of Happy Birthday. Proof again why we are justifiably, a non-singing club. Without Lucy's and even with Judith Wilson's voice to boost us, our silence is again, justified. 

A quick look at our Rotary Change for Rotary Changes jar showed we are over $130 for a donation to St. Jude. Those coins add up!

The Animo Venice Interact Club is collecting toys for less fortunate kids. Several Rotarians brought toys to the meeting. If you still want to contribute contact Don Culton or just drop the toys off directly at Animo Venice. As confirmed by the principal at AVHS, our Interact group is the largest club on campus. The Principal will be reporting directly to the Club in January.

Tore Knos gave an overview of last Friday's Adopt a Family gift wrapping party. Actually, the general consensus was that he was just looking for one more chance to show off the crown fashioned for him by his team. He'd fit right in at the Do Da Parade! Teams will be delivering presents right up until Christmas Eve. 

President Jim asked called for brags and Charles Rosenberg rose to proudly announce that his son had been accepted to Georgia Tech. He calculated that his soon to be "rambling wreck" status was worth $50 dollars. Don Culton advised that his son Chris, the driving force behind our very successful Interact Club, had been accepted at Cal State Channel Island. That was gauged at $25, but a pre-trip brag about Don's upcoming visit to Thailand  brought Don's total up to $50. 

As noted above the holiday season gave us the opportunity to personally thank Fred, Jose and Sergio for their outstanding service to the Club during the year. The Courtyard has gone out of its way to make us at home every week. The guys have been great to us. 

One of the reasons that Charles could afford a fifty dollar brag was the fact that last week he won the 50/50 card drawing last week. President Jim was able to hand Charles a check for $955.  Congratulations again Charles! Did I mention that Teacher Mini Grants are coming up?

A video, courtesy of Tom Carson, of last week's Mark Twain Ringers has been posted on our website Homepage (Playasunrise.org) for anyone who wishes to relive the performance.

As we finish the last Bulletin of the year let me offer my personal best wishes for a happy and memory filled holiday season. I hope many blessings and good things come your way. Happy holidays. Happy new year!

Save the Date  

December 26 No meeting, Club dark 

January 2 White Elephant Gift Exchange 

January 8 District Breakfast

January 11 Teacher Mini Grants, food sponsored by Playa Vista (replaces 1/9 regular meeting) 

Be well.   

Yours in Rotary service,   

Tony