Herb Klotz called today's meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.
Jean Masiko gave the invocation, focusing on love that is evident throughout this holiday season.
PRESENTATION & PROGRAM
A presentation of $1000 was made to today's speaker, our new member, Dhruv Seshedri, who accepted it on behalf of Rotaplast International. Our club provided $700 and our Interact students donated $300.
Dhruv gave an excellent talk about Rotaplast and the work the organization does for 
children around the world who are born with cleft palates. He displayed before-and-after photos that showed dramatic improvements in the children's appearances, which also improved their lives.
ROTARIAN OF THE MONTH
Ron Coleman was the Rotarian of the Month, for always answering the call, helping out with food drives, and more.
MEMBERSHIP MOMENT:
Diana Dunn gave an introduction to the new Impact Club that will be chartered on (drumroll, please!) January 9 at Bru Daddy's in Allentown. The Impact Club, which focuses on service, and does not hold weekly meetings, is partnering with other organizations such as Community Bikeworks and Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Renacer. New members are being sought, particularly bilingual people to work with refugees and ESL students.
The Areas of Focus for the Impact Club are Immigrant/Refugee Support, Youth Services and Food Insecurity in Inner City Allentown.
Current Programs include:
Immigrant/Refugee Support
ESL Classes and after school programs at the Refugee Center (Church of the Mediator.)
Supporting a recent Afghan refugee couple
Youth Services – After School Programs
Supporting Various Programs within the Community Bike Works Organization: After school programs, Youth Leadership programs, Earn-a-Bike Program
Food Insecurity
Food Bank at Keck Park (614 S. Carlisle St, Allentown)
Do you think you know someone who might be a good fit for the Impact Club? Get in touch with Diana at [email protected] for the next step.
HAPPY DOLLARS
Herb Klotz and Diana Dunn were happy because they were able to meet with the manager of the Sierra Leone project.
Dhruv Seshedri is happy because he is going to propose to his girlfriend. (Maybe we should rename as the "swipe right club?")
Len Salines is happy because he really enjoyed the tour of Amcor the club went on.
Marlene Heller is happy that her mom is adjusting to life in a skilled nursing facility.
CLUB BUSINESS
Business-size cards were handed out that contain "who we are" and "what we do" information for members to use when someone asks, "What is Rotary about?" These are refresher notes, to help us organize our thoughts as we explain what makes Allentown West Rotary so special.
Do you have a special someone for whom you have difficulty finding a gift? We have a great opportunity for you.
TICKETS FOR A GIFT?
Tickets for Allentown West Rotary Club's Irish Bingo fundraiser are a perfect gift. We currently have a flash sale with two adult tickets to the event for only $100. This offer is good until December 31, 2023.
This entitles you to:
- entrance for two individuals
- two bingo cards for each individual
- a raffle ticket for each individual
We have an amazing basket of over 20 organic products from Rodale Institute as the raffle prize!
Plan to join us for a great afternoon of family fun and fellowship at the Macungie Memorial Hall on March 17, 2024, at 2 PM. The link to purchase tickets follows. https://www.irishbingo.org/
You may use a credit card or your PayPal account to purchase tickets on the site. Our website is secure. All dollars go directly to the AWRC PayPal account.
'TIS THE SEASON
Francesco Ponte, our exchange student from Italy, attended the meeting with host mom, Geli Haviland. Francesco was presented with some homemade cookies and cash. Declaring cookies as his favorite, Francesco wasted no time in digging in!
SNACK PACKING:
The NWL snack packing takes place each month on the 3rd Wednesday from 2-2:35.
Due to the holidays, Snack Packing for December was moved to this week. If you would like to help, email Diana Dunn at [email protected]
KINGDOM LIFE FOOD DISTRIBUTION:
Much help is still needed. There are many more people needing supplementary food than before the pandemic, and the setup work takes many hands. Please come out if you can help.
The next date for Kingdom Life Food Pantry Giveaway is:
Jan. 13
PARKLAND C.A.R.E.S. PRODUCE DELIVERY:
The Pantry holds its food distributions on the first Saturday of each month for all of 2023. Three volunteers are needed each time. Food collections for Parkland C.A.R.E.S. are held the third Wednesday of each month at the Pantry on Kernsville Road.
MEALS ON WHEELS:
Meal delivery by AW Rotarians takes place twice each week. Helen Papathanasiou always needs substitute volunteers.
CALENDAR ALERTS 
December 31: Deadline to submit photos for photography contest
January 8: Possible Mixer
January 9: Charter night for Impact Club
March 17: Bingo Fundraiser
May 19: Chili Cookoff Fundraiser
April 20: Rotary Day of Service
NEXT MORNING MEETING IN-PERSON:
January 10: Club Assembly
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