Bell RInging for the Salvation Army

   One of Our Favorite Service Projects!

 

It started a long time ago, the idea of helping the Salvation Army collect money for Christmas.  Back when one of our members, Cholly Capps, was working for the Salvation Army.  They let us work at our neighborhood Publix which makes it all that much more fun!  You can harass your neighbors and they don't dare refuse you - they have to see you all the time! 

And Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army is a terrific fellowship event for our members.  You stand around for a couple of hours and there's little else to do (besides embarrass people who won't donate) but talk to your "kettle-mate".  You learn the most interesting things about your fellow Rotarians ... when there's nothing else to to but talk and ring a bell.

And it's fun.  The little kids come up and put money in the kettle for the very first time - a great introduction into a giving lifestyle.  

And it does so much for so many.  The Salvation Army is known to be one of the most efficient, effective organizations that provide work and food and housing for the less fortunate among us.  

So next year, when this Service Project hit's the boards ... sign up.  You'll be glad you did!

Scenes from the Scene

BRUCE IS AN "OLD HAND" AT RINGING THAT BELL!

OBVIOUSLY KEITH WORKED  WITH ALL THE GIRLS!

 THE BOY SCOUTS WERE THERE TOO!!!

 

Thanksgiving at the Chapman Partnership

Thanksgiving at the

Chapman Partnership 

for the Homeless

This is the 12th year that our Club has supported the Chapman Partnership for the Homeless at Thanksgiving.  Our Foundation granted them $1,000 to be used for the purchase of the food for a perfect Thanksgiving Dinner.  And this year, because of the generosity of Sam's Club and one of our new members, Bruce Siddens, they also receive $1,000 from Sam's Club as well. And that kind of money goes a very long way at Sam's Club!

More than 20 Rotarians and their families turned out on Thanksgiving morning to serve an excellent lunch of Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, mac n' cheese, collards, salad, rolls, pumpkin pie and holiday cake ... more than your average person could possibly consume!  The food is excellently prepared by the CHP kitchen crew and properly served by our members. 

Chapman Partnership for the Homeless (originally known as Community Partnership until it's founder, the late Alvah H. Chapman passed away), is a model program that is copied all over the country.  They provide housing for (currently) 546 individuals and families who do not have the money to provide for themselves.  The Chapman program lasts six weeks.  Anyone who is clean and sober and down on their luck can apply there for assistance.  While in residence, their children get schooling, they gain job training skills and receive assistance in both finding employment and a place to live.  The campus has separate dormitories for families (so that they can stay together), women and men.  

This is one of our club's favorite service projects - primarily because Rotarians recognize the blessings we all have and want to make it good for those who aren't so fortunate.  And they bring their kids along so that they too can get a sense of just how lucky we all are.  So, during this Thanksgiving and holiday season, take a few minutes to reflect on the good things you've got.  Be grateful.  We are blessed. 

A FEW PHOTOS FROM THE DAY

Helping Judy get dressed!

PE Carlos Bolado, Community Service Chair Lorraine Sheldon and Jesus Guzman.

Brad Forte and son, Tyler

The food line - we served and dished and bussed the tables.

 

The Great Grove Bed Race

Get Into Bed With  Coral Gables Rotary Club

The Most Important Message -- Service Above Self!

Sunday dawned cool and beautiful.  A perfect day to go down to Coconut Grove and get into beds with a bunch of weirdos who were racing their marketing message down South Bayshore Drive for charity.  Our Club willingly joined the fray!  Says something about us, don't you think?  

We got into this thing at the urging of Gloria Burns (Community Newspapers was one of the sponsors this year) and because of the unbelievable dedication of new Rotarian, Jesus Guzman and his guys at Shell Lumber, we entered a really cool bed in this year's Great Grove Bed Race V.  

Set up team included President Donald, Past Presidents Walter Alvarez and Sally B and our Exchange Student Danilo Masson. Terry Long was there along with Dr. Phil - the club's two shutterbugs - documenting our day as bed-racers.  The Championship Runners were  Andrew Dixon, Past President Abe Horowitz and two of the best from Shell Lumber.  In order to "weight" our chances at winning we coerced the smallest Rotarian - Lan Nghiem-Phu to accept the position of Bed Rider, so long as he was equipped with a crash helmet.

We did really well in the two time trial runs against Scotty's Landing, but we lost in the first heat against the Tattoo Parlour (embarassing, huh?).  We were ahead at one point but the wheels of the bed were not properly aligned and we had to make an adjustment and so lost to Scotty's.  PP Abe could not endure and so was replaced by Jesus from Shell Lumber.  

So we didn't win for the best looking bed.  We didn't win for the most clever theme.  We didn't win for our speed and agility.  But we had tons of fun and word has it that we will make a return appearance at the Great Grove Bed Race VI.  Especially since now we have the bed AND we know how it all works!

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS ...

The Set Up Crew

                                                                            Our Bedspread

Lan, Donald & Runner

In the parade lineup

Time Trials

Running the first Heat

Recovery

Get in Bed with the Arts

Miami Parking Authority

Some of the other beds

In line for the parade - Girls Football
Team is in the forefront.

This is the bed EVERYBODY watched ... it's a hot tub from the Executive Motels ... Love in a tub!

Billy with some bananas

The Zombie Bride

One of the Zombie Beds