Richmond Food Bank (Nov 14, 2021)

Miscellaneous

Repeat from last week or until no longer relevant or until I delete it:

Our club is joining with other clubs to award a Richmond external Paul Harris award in March of 2022. So start thinking of a deserving recipient.

The Lower Mainland Foundation dinner/event will be held on February 5^th 2022 – more details will follow.

Zoom Meeting Rules

THE LINK TO OUR THURSDAY MEETINGS WILL NO LONGER BE EMAILED BUT ACCESSED THROUGH THE LINK BELOW.

Join Zoom Meeting
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Meeting ID: 868 5522 9058
Passcode: 473892

1) Mute your microphone if you aren't already muted. Background noise is distracting.
2) If you are not engaged in the presentation, turn off your camera.
3) Chat function should only be used to address the speaker, not for Club member remarks during the presentation

4) Unmute when harassing the Sergeant at Arms or taking your turn during Sergeant at Arms.

Presidents Report

The next Board meeting is December 7^th at Sandra's.

Next week is our DG and ADG visit.

Please direct any questions to me or a board member of your choosing and we will discuss any and all questions or concerns during our board meeting. Also please refer anyone who may be interested in attending a meeting or joining the club.

Be kind and be calm and safe...

Announcements, committee news and other stuff.

Jackie Lee Son reports the Finding Memories Richmond Christmas Fund Drive has raised $3,506.00 and Counting.

We have raised over $8,000 in Poinsettia Sales so there will be funds for the Club and the Foundation. A week Sunday is the pick up at 10 AM at the Banquet Hall. The Luncheon will take place at noon in the Palace where we have our Thursday meetings.

Bill Jaffe won the walktober award for the most kilometers. He has a two year winning streak. 333 ks. Go Bill Go!!!!!

The meeting of December 9th is our toy drive so bring your gifts and your Christmas Stories.

Also this report from Jeff Golby:

"I am thrilled to tell you that our project in Kisabo is finishing up on schedule, just under budget and with results that have exceeded our expectations! Just last week this community achieved the highest national standard for hygiene and sanitation possible. This is a huge accomplishment for this last mile community that is 100% a result of their hard work and efforts, empowered by your support."

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

Visitors

Hejira Hussain - Richmond Food Bank

Harvey Kooner - Ghirra Toy Drive

Sue Halabi - Ghirra Toy Drive

sergeant At Arms Tidbits

Mary Lou, is hoping we can help flood victims. There currently is no way out or into their cabin so happy they did not go. Did go to see Chor Leone which was great and thanks to Garth. She is off to Victoria.

Dick blames the flood disaster partly because rotary did not meet last week. We missed you too Dick.

Belinda was at Whistler last week. The kids wanted more snow but it was rainy and warm instead. They had a nice time regardless. Highly recommends the Audain art museum.

Joyce is back from New York and LA to see the devastation which is heart breaking.

Elena bravely fought off the Mute Spook attack to tell us that last Sunday the pink parade for next years presidential election in the Philippines had 120 cars instead of 40 in support of Vice President Leni Lobredo. Elena was able to see a bunch of old friends at the parade as well.

Gordon commented on the devastation shown in the photos and unbelievable this was happening here instead of somewhere else in the world. There are still funds going to Lytton as it is cut off but will keep an ear out for places where we can donate. Gordon is getting perforated once again with his booster shot.

Danny back from middle east where the weather is good and he visited friends and relatives. His PCR test was negative which was positive news and he did not even have to study - for the test that is!

Bill said the Dean Crain committee is meeting so get any last minute nominations in. Had a great time in Hawaii. The 60th birthday gift for Shelly was a painting of her. Bill hung it on the wall unnoticed until it was pointed out and the reaction “Oh Shit”! Nice job Bill. 🥳

Kal's parents were looking to buy a farm in 1949 in the Abbotsford area because of the flood that year bought the farm in Richmond instead. Phew!

Bob's puppy graduated from puppy school so he no longer is hung over at the lessons on Saturday.🤢 Bought an Ooma pizza oven from Costco. The first one caught on fire and tasted like fire extinguisher foam.🤢 You heat the oven up to 900 degrees and the pizza is done in 30 seconds. Second pizza was great.

Debbie M. found the flooding very scary but found the assistance heart warming and mentioned the food for the truck drivers who were stuck. Speaking of stuck Miles is in Prince George but is flying out this morning for only $2,400 return! Yikes!🤬

Judy was reminded of a Ralph story where after an earlier Sumas flood a live Sturgeon was found a field. Finally got to Birch Bay which was very emotional but fun too. Now the initial visit over and they all felt Ralph’s presence and had a toast at sunset.

Chris M. was here incognito with "Joe Cool" shades on. The story goes, she got into a boxing match with a door knob that smoked her forehead. The bruising travelled down her face to produce Raccoon Eyes. 😎

Marg enjoyed Chor Leone but her friends on the balcony could only hear the organ pipes. Sister surprised her and flew down to see Marg for a great visit. Yesterday had to vacate the Rotary House on four road, which was flooded.

Debbie T. thanked the Ghirras for the Toy Drive dinner. Feels bad for all farmers and animals. Walks are going to continue at 8:30 Sunday morning at Garry Point for all who are interested.

Micheal glad to see everyone at the dinner for the Toy Drive kick off and had forty people at the dinner and enjoyed hosting it. Recommends Netflix Manifest and is watching a Michael Jackson special. Apparently 50 shows around the world sold out in 20 minutes. Didn't announce it but has lost 2 kilograms.

Debbie S. watched Midnight Mass on Netflix really freaky and terrifying. Spent last week driving in the rain and dark to take Nicki to her surgery on the Malahat and then to Campbell River. Finally drove into Richmond. Then up to Whistler and back. New respect for professional truck drivers who are our life line.

Garth can understand Mary Lou? Wants us all to speak clearly like her I guess is what he said! Did anyone else hear that? 🙉Chor Leone sold 1100 tickets. Learned about the St Andrews Wesley church with the outreach program. Apparently they fundraised until 5 million over what they needed for the renovations that they could donate to other organizations. Admitted he drove into wrong lane in the wet dark weather weather. Oops!🙉

Larry apologized for leaving his hat on as head not totally healed. Had an amazing time in Vegas. Only way to go to Vegas is with Steve as he knows all the places and gave Larry a big wad of money to gamble. Larry cries when he loses $20. Whereas for Steve it is bet big if you want to win big. 🤑They saw a lot of shows that were all free. Also went to Birch Bay for the first time and it was weird as no Canadian friends there but gave him time to buy all new dishes and linen. Health improving and now has furniture in living room after 7 months.

Melinda attended a funeral for a friend in the States and I5 had been shut down from a slide. It will be difficult to get supplies for the shops as their supplier is in Vanderhoof. Will be going to US again for another funeral and it is expensive for PCR test. Do not fail! Your test that is.

Sandra in 1988 bought their new house in Richmond and a neighbour said she was moving to Abbotsford because Richmond is going to flood. Kind of ironic. Although this may just be a taste of what's to come. With the roads cut off she cannot ship her product and her supply issue is going to get worse. So Sandra is doing her Christmas baking instead and celebrating Christmas next week.

Bobby has done nothing too crazy but has family in Abbotsford who is on alert. Took mom for booster shot and there was an hour line up. Mom was allowed to skip the line up and avoid all the standing.

It was the fifth anniversary of my mothers death so my sister and I went and left some flowers. Our other sister had beaten us there an left an airline size bottle of whiskey. Sadly it was empty.

Susan still recovering with broken elbow at home. But she can sit in front of computer and participate in conversation for peace with the Quesnel Rotary club.

Peter cabin is secure in the Tulameen but pictures of the river show it had taken out the road. The Cabin is high and dry about 30 feet above the river. Took his dog for a dental appointment that cost $1425. That would only get you half way to Prince George Peter.

Pat went to Palm Springs again with good weather. Her credit card was compromised and blocked almost immediately. Kal managed to buy a cell phone before the card was completely blocked. Her farm is on north side of the Fraser and the buildings are okay but the fields are flooded.

speaKER

Hejira Hussain from the Food Bank felt good about waking early and starting the day with a nice cup of tea. the Food Bank is approaching the busy season. In a couple weeks is giving Tuesday. In December all the donations will get matched. Hejira said that grocery distribution continued through covid but home deliveries stopped for a week and then quadrupled. Home deliveries have been continuing at that level. The community has stepped up to help and volunteers are doing home delivery three times a week. Each month there are 190 home deliveries. The food bank delivers to 2200 people in 900 households per month with 250 active volunteers, half of whom are seniors. Corporate volunteers have not yet returned but expect them back when things are safer. The school program has also resumed. Each day 200 sandwiches are delivered to 9 different school. The Food Bank is also assisting with emergency response in Abbotsford working with other organizations. In the partnership with the Ghirra they deliver 100 meals every Monday to the food bank. There are 35 meals delivered to people who will not come to get the meals. They continue to deliver 35 meals every Friday and dinners every week on Monday to 15 families of 2 and 15 families of 5.

Harvey Kooner of the Ghirra Toy Drive reminded us that the Toy Drive started in 2007 when Victor passed away leaving his wife and four boys. Victor, every year would take toys to Children's Hospital. The first year there were 200 toys and now they collect and distribute 46,000 toys helping 15 charities here and others around the world. Victor left a lasting impression at children’s hospital and donated anonymously. The drive through drop off is December 11th from 12 - 2 PM with a winter wonderland photo booth.

Sue Halabi told us how Victor said how people can be fortunate where you share your good fortune with other people. Sue took toys for years and kept Victor's secret about who was behind the toy drive. So she was able to break her promise to Victor because Harvey had already done so.

Meanderings

I was going to put something in about world kindness day when I saw this post on face book from my cousins wife. My grandfathers farm is now being farmed by the fourth generation of Dewars. I think this is really appropriate given what has happened to the Sumas Prairie.

They ran to the groceries, they filled up their carts,

They emptied the Tops and Price Chopper and Walmart,

They panicked and fought and then panicked some more,

Then they rushed to their homes and they locked all the doors.

The food will be gone! The milk eggs and cheese!

The yogurt! The apples! The green beans and peas!

The stores have run out, now what will we do?

They’ll be starving and looting and nothing to do!

Then they paused, and they listened a moment or two.

And they did hear a sound, rising over the fear,

It started out far, then began to grow near.

But this sound wasn’t sad, nor was it new,

The farms were still doing what farms always do.

The food was still coming, though they’d emptied the shelves,

The farms kept it coming, though they struggled themselves,

Though the cities had forgotten from where their food came,

The farms made them food every day, just the same.

Through weather and critics and markets that fall,

The farms kept on farming in spite of it all.

They farmed without thank yous.

They farmed without praise.

They farmed on the hottest and coldest of days.

They’d bought all the food, yet the next day came more,

And the people thought of something they hadn’t before.

Maybe food, they thought, doesn’t come from a store.

Maybe farmers, perhaps, mean a little bit more.

Author Credit:

Anna Richards at—2020 Consulting

Upcoming Events

November 28th, 2021, 10 AM - 2 PM Poinsettia Pick Up and Ugly Sweater Christmas Lunch. Riverside Banquet Hall.

December 7th next Board Meeting.

Foundation Dinner February 5th, 2022. Details to follow.

Please note the date for the Auction

Friday May 6th 2022 Auction Fundraiser with final details to be determined but anticipating live and in person.

TODAYS CHUCKLEs

🤪

Another contribution from my Mentor Dick Wagner.

MY NAME IS ALICE , AND I WAS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM FOR MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH A NEW DENTIST. I NOTICED HIS DDS DIPLOMA ON THE WALL, WHICH BORE HIS FULL NAME SUDDENLY, I REMEMBERED A TALL, HANDSOME, DARK-HAIRED BOY WITH THE SAME NAME HAD BEEN IN MY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS SOME 40-ODD YEARS AGO. COULD HE BE THE SAME GUY THAT I HAD A SECRET CRUSH ON, WAY BACK THEN?
UPON SEEING HIM, HOWEVER, I QUICKLY DISCARDED ANY SUCH THOUGHT.
THIS BALDING, GRAY-HAIRED MAN WITH THE DEEPLY LINED FACE WAS WAY TOO OLD TO HAVE BEEN MY CLASSMATE.
AFTER HE EXAMINED MY TEETH, I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD ATTENDED MORGAN PARK HIGH SCHOOL .
'YES. YES, I DID.. I'M A MUSTANG,' HE GLEAMED WITH PRIDE.
WHEN DID YOU GRADUATE?' I ASKED.
HE ANSWERED, 'IN 1975. WHY DO YOU ASK?'
YOU WERE IN MY CLASS!', I EXCLAIMED.
HE LOOKED AT ME CLOSELY.
THEN, THAT UGLY,OLD,BALD,WRINKLED FACED,FAT-ASSED,GRAY-HAIRED,DECREPITSON-OF-A-BITCH
ASKED,
'WHAT DID YOU TEACH???

Speaking of Vinegar

I went down the local supermarket, I said, "I want to make a complaint, this vinegar's got lumps in it", he said, "Those are pickled onions".