Annual Celebrate Your Optimism Banquet
Saturday-September 28,2024
11:15 AM - 3:00 PM
Meadow Hills Golf Clubhouse
3609 S Dawson St
Aurora, CO 80014
Fee: $35 pp Please pay Pat Bush asap.
Bring your wife, kids, grandkids
enjoy a great lunch, see the new
Officers sworn in, and enjoy the
Camaraderie and entertainment.
Sign up at the meeting or call Larry Pulaski to get on the list.
Editors Note: Greg Young has added a link on the website to pay for your meal(s) online. Check it out at http://www.monacosouth.org
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It's a lovely Fall Day and only 25 days until Casey will be a "Past President", but who's counting! Greeters today were Frank "The Happy Guy" Middleton and a smiling Kurt Boell. Also with us today, via Zoom, were Larry Pulaski, Greg Hurd, Dan Rodriguez and Perry Allen (complete with broken leg). Jim Easton read the invocation, and we all pledged allegiance to our flag.
PRESIDENTS CORNER
Happy Birthday to President Casey Funk. We all joined in to wish Casey and the eight other folks whose birthday is during September a Happy Birthday. Casey mentioned that Harry Fegley, our President-Elect is recovering well from heart surgery and will be ready to take over the reins on October 1. Casey reminded us to attend the Celebration Luncheon on September 28. (See above)
Tom Mauro was in Santa Fe last weekend attending The Burning of the Zozobra. And what, you may ask is a Zozobra?The Burning of Zozobra is a unique cultural event in Santa Fe staged annually by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe in Zozobra Field at Fort Marcy Park on the Friday of Labor Day weekend as an exciting and fiery finale to the last days of summer. Tom was also searching for changes to the directory, still with the claim that by placing an ad or business card in said document will result in 1 million dollars increase in revenue.
Denny Dressman, who, by the way, won 2nd place in the Coloradopress Association Network "Better News Contest" for Best Sports or Sports Event Story, gave us a synopsis of what was gong on with the Tree Lot Marketing Committee. Denny says all the elements of a marketing plan are in place. All we need now is people to execute the plan, which includes delivering flyers to businesses along Evans/Monaco corridor. This is an ideal job if, for whatever reason, you are not able to work on the actual Christmas Tree lot. Denny has a signup sheet and will be happy to explain what needs to be done. Remember, this our main fundraiser in support of our youth activities.
Gary Jerman reported that, having heard of the desperate situation that many of the students of McMeen Elementary are facing, he gathered up a bunch of soccer equipment and dropped it by the school. This was particularly good, since many of the new students are immigrants from countries where soccer is the major spot. He also left some personal hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, etc. Thanks for caring Jerry!
Robert Wardlaw says that schedules for Super Citizen programs are being finalized and suggested that you contact him or one of the MSOC school reps to attend a program (or be a presenter) at one of the SC assemblies, which will be held throughout the school year
PRIZE WINNER
Mark Metevia passed out newspaper clipping announcing the many awards that
The Villager newspaper, edited by
Bob Sweeney (MSOC member), won at the
coloradopress Association Network "2023 Better News Contest". Congratulations to Bob, who also runs
The Cripple Creek Chronicle.
SPEAKERS
Today, Angelia Anderson and her colleagues from their humanitarian venture visited us, bringing along the exquisite bread they bake weekly to support Treasure House of Hope Inc. This non-profit 501(c)(3) organization offers a one-year program for individuals who are homeless, addicted, victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, or simply in desperate need of change, providing assistance to those struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues.
Angelia and her husband initiated this charitable project in their home's basement in 2008, which has now expanded to three separate units: one for men, one for women, and the newly established "Mommy and Me" facility for single mothers with children. Thanks to the collective efforts of the DTC, Monaco South, and Tamarac Optimists, they hosted a "Wonderful, Whimsical Tea" event that raised over $18,000!
In exchange for the food and shelter Treasure House of Hope offers, program participants bake 600 loaves of bread every Friday night. The bread is sold to individuals and companies, generating revenue to sustain the operation of their facilities. Additionally, participants receive counseling on money management, personal care, and robust support to stay sober and drug-free. Angelia reports an impressive 85% success rate.
Alongside Angelia, Darla and April shared the impact the organization has had on their lives. April, now a full-time employee, turned to the House of Hope following an abusive childhood, prolonged drug use, and time spent in a Department of Corrections facility; she is currently pursuing certification as a counselor.
We eagerly anticipate the program participants joining us at the Christmas Tree lot in December. A spontaneous collection added a $186 donation to Treasure House of Hope, supplementing the proceeds from their bread sales to MSOC members.
Darla April
DRAWING
With only four cards left in the deck, you would be able to pick the Ten of Spades and collect $20. Not so!
While 5 people took cups-o-money, Ed Leuty and Bill Litchfield tried for the card...and failed. Robert Wardlaw also tried his luck, but noooo! Better luck next week.
