Ben Bridge is looking forward to welcoming you to their store on December 12^th for Thursday at 5:00! You will have time to explore a curated selection of fine jewelry and luxury timepieces.  The expert staff at Ben Bridge will make it easy to find the one perfect gift for everyone on your list this season, and will share their latest proprietary collection-Bella Ponte.  Bella Ponte is the ultimate experience in bespoke bridal featuring new hologram technology which allows customers to be a part of the creation of their ring at every step of its journey.

Please join us for light refreshments, food, and a photo booth! You will be warmly welcomed by Rotarian and new store manager Molly Peterson as well as long time Rotarians Cathy Hall and Bob Swanson.

WHAT:  Thursday at 5

WHEN:  Thursday, December 12^th  from 5pm to 7pm

WHERE: Ben Bridge Jewelers 4733 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Suite 100

PARKING: There is parking available in the parking lot in front of the store. You may also park across the street if parking becomes full.

Contact  Molly Peterson if you have questions at Molly.peterson@benbridge.com, 253.473.1227

Tacoma 8 Rotary members are the most generous community members. All of the ornaments have been claimed, although I am sure each of the agencies we are working with will welcome an extra gift card or two, if you haven't had a chance to sign up, just bring the gift card to an upcoming meeting and we will pass it along. The ornaments, attached to the gift or gift card must be returned by December 12.  Please, if you took an ornament with a gift, you are supposed to do the shopping and return the gift unwrapped. (we really don't have little shopping elves standing by to do the shopping for you)  You can return them at meetings or to the office until December 12! Thank you for helping to make the holidays bright for children you will never know, but who will be so grateful.  Gifts this year will go to children at the YWCA domestic violence shelter, Tacoma Rescue Mission’s Adams Family Campus, and Catholic Community Services.  Thank you for your generosity and care for others during the holidays!

At this time of year, many members decide to make year-end donations.  If you are interested in giving to the Tacoma Rotary Foundation or to the club’s fundraising account we must have your check or credit card number for processing by noon on December 31.  For those of you who are of the age when you need to take a Required Minimum Distribution from your IRA we want to remind you that you can do a Qualified Charitable Distribution to the Tacoma Rotary Foundation. These are also referred to as an IRA Charitable Rollover and because the money goes directly to charity you are able to avoid taxes, because it is no longer considered income to you. You should always consult a tax professional or lawyer if you are considering a sizable gift. If you would like to make a donation to Rotary International Foundation please contact them directly here. If you are sending a check it must be postmarked on December 31 in order for it to count as a 2019 donation. Their mailing address is: 

The Rotary Foundation
14280 Collections Center Dr.
Chicago, IL 60693

 

 

The meeting of December 5, 2019 started on a somber note as Past President Jim Henderson delivered a heartfelt eulogy for George Williams. We gave pause to George’s 67 years in Rotary and our condolences to his family. 

President Carol called upon Bill Duppenthaler for the invocation, and he reminded us to be thankful the entire holiday season, praying for hope, new life, and love. Jennifer Wedderman, Wedderman Architects led a rousing anthem accompanied by Jack Warnick on the piano, and the 4-Way Test. President-Elect Kathryn Nelson sponsored the meeting and kindly donated her time to a very busy agenda. Visiting Rotarians were from the Federal Way Rotary Club, and guests were from as far away as Germany and roving mics were handled by Treasurer Robin Echtle and Greer Todhunter.

Anniversaries included; Jan and Skip Anderson, John Gaines, Lisa Mansfield, Victoria Woodards, 1 year; Evelyn Ryberg, 5 years; Marty Lough and Debbie Regala, 12 years; Tracy Peacock, 14 years; Greg Rolsma, 15 years; Jan Brazzell and Cindy Niemi, 18 years.

Robin Echtle led up birthday recognition, asking celebrants for their favorite holiday treat or show: Scrooge, It’s a Wonderful Life, Russian tea cakes, Rotary Apple Pie, Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army, Scholarship endowment at Bates, A Christmas Story.

President Elect Nominee Kim Bedier hearkened back to the Top Ten Songs of 1910 which included “Down by the Old Mill Stream”, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “America the Beautiful”. These songs may have been playing as the first meeting of the Rotary Club of Tacoma #8 got underway on January 29, 1910. We will celebrate our 110^th anniversary at dinner on January 29, 2020 at the Bicentennial Pavilion. Tickets are available now for $75 each – all members and guests are welcome!

President Elect Kathryn Nelson introduced the program. Rotarian Malaria Partners (RMP) is working to eradicate malaria. Through our World Community Services Committee we have provided grants of $15,000, plus additional individual member gifts have supported this collaboration. Stacey Ogle of Cole Graphic Solutions, has recently joined the board of RMP and had Tracy Peacock travel with her on a team of 20 Rotarians on a service project to Zambia in October.

Stacey gave us some background: Malaria is transmitted by mosquito and there are 220 million cases a year, 90% in sub Saharan Africa. It kills 435,000 a year, and 730 children under 5 contract malaria daily. Rotary work in Uganda has saved children’s lives. The October team visited the National Malaria Elimination Center in Zambia. Key pillars of the program are public education on prevention, vector or mosquito control (including bed nets), and testing/ medical care. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical, and the key to success is working through trained, local community health workers who bring care to families at home. The Gates Foundation and Rotary International match grants so $1 donated becomes $3 for RMP to train the health workers, provide them a bicycle, test kits, phones and other items. 331 have been trained thus far. Stacey outlined how every Rotarian can make a difference, by advocating, joining the World Community Services Committee, attending a malaria symposium or travelling with RMP when they make a return to Africa in 2020.

Tracy Peacock related her impactful Zambia and Kenya Adventures through stunning photographs of smiles, sunsets and exotic animals such as giraffes, elephants, hippos and cheetahs. She drew us in with the following words:

“There are experiences in life that will forever change you. And, change your outlook on life.

Africa was that experience for me. I still dream I’m in Africa. Where the setting skies glow like fire.”

President Carol thanked both Stacey and Tracy for their insights into this disease that takes so many lives in Africa, and made a donation in their honor to the Rotary International Foundation.

Co-Chairs of the Grants Committee, DeAnne Hamilton and Clay Zhang, presented grants to the following non-profits: Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Puget Sound, Degrees of Change, St Vincent DePaul, Tacoma Community House, Peace Community Center, Emergency Food Network, and the YWCA.

President Carol congratulated the newly elected officers and board members: Jacki Farrar, Chris Serface, Sherri Stanton, Clay Zhang, Secretary Cindy Grady, President Elect Kathryn Nelson, President Elect Nominee Kim Bedier, and Vice President Maria Harlow (who will serve as President in 2022-23).

Announcements: Toys for Kids Project Dec 10^th, EFN Break Bag Pack Dec 14^th,Salvation Army Bell Ringing needs ringers Dec 20^th at Katie Downs, Farellis in Pt Ruston and the Harmon; please see Ann Voves. Ann was busy distributing humble Cougar apple pie to the Husky alumni in the room.

Molly Peterson invited everyone to kick off the holidays at the Dec 12^th Thursday at 5 at Ben Bridge. Past President Pat Steel reminded everyone to bring their gift for giving tree ASAP (bring to next meeting Dec 12 or drop at Rotary Office by Dec 12). Thank you to Carlyn Roy for hosting a social tonight, Dec 5^th, at her home. President Carol likely will not see us until after her imminent special delivery. Best wishes to Carol and family!