Club Past President Jane Purcell filled in for Club President Jonna Buck to run this week's meeting. Safe travels Jonna!
 
We welcomed 40 participants to who hear our speaker Justin Davis, executive director of The Christmas Store of Cleveland County.  
 
To read more about the meeting and presentation, click on the gold-color Recap link above.
 
To watch the recorded meeting, click on this link: November 10, 2020 

 
Past President Jane Purcell filled in for Club President Jonna Buck who is out of town on business.  We have 40 participants! 
 
It was noted that COVID-19 risk level is very high in Cleveland County now. 
 
Mary Sallee mentioned she was having withdrawals from no recent howling to "Home on the Range." So she played, and we all howled--with our microphones wide open! 

Announcements

The monthly board meeting is this Friday, Nov 13 via Zoom. Jonna sends the Zoom link via email. 
 
Christi Moore and Keith Busking mentioned it looks doubtful that Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army at area stores will occur this year.
 
Also, the Secret Santa gifts for children in DHS and foster home care is still on, although no party is planned. More details to come from Ellen and Bob Usry.
 
Speaking of Bob Usry--on the call Bob told us he is being tested for COVID-19 and has flu-like symptoms. Lots of well wishes in the Chat for Bob!  
 
Andrea Green is having Baby #2 and is due in December!  

Happy Dollars

April Heiple gave $5 in gratitude for the Rotary Zone check for $10K presented to Food and Shelter this week!  
 
Linda Holt gave a Happy Dollar after she donated to the CSBI chili cookoff and won a drawing for an Apple Watch! 

Jane's Happy Dollar is for a family/friend wedding she attended in Florida last week! 

November Birthdays

Polly Christian led us in a "rousing" Happy Birthday song for our members celebrating November birthdays. 
 
  • Kim Dupont
  • Jennifer Beckett--who is celebrating a milestone birthday on Nov 12 (50) and who won the $25 Hal Smith restaurant gift card
  • Dick Pryor--who noted his birthday on Nov 16 is also Oklahoma statehood day
  • Hansom Wong
  • Lynne Miller--who Linda noted is home recuperating from successful back surgery. Get well soon Lynne!    
  • David Imy--whose birthday is Nov 25 won the drawing for 100 points toward his next Paul Harris Plus giving level

Veterans Day--November 11

We took a moment to recognize the contribution and sacrifices of our members who served in the armed forces and all who serve or served: 
  • Miles Deering--Major General US Army, Retired 
  • Lewis Beckett—Army 3 years and Army Guard 18—retired as a Major
  • Dr. Jack Beller—Air Force at end of Vietnam Era—Major stationed in the US
  • Pat Hall--Captain US Army Military Police Corps--1974-1977 
  • Bob Usry—2 years in Vietnam on a US Navy Aircraft Carrier
Thank you all for your service. 

Our Program

We welcomed Justin Davis, volunteer Executive Director of The Christmas Store of Cleveland County. 
 
Justin shared how The Christmas Store plans to accomplish its goals in spite of the global pandemic because there is always a need for Christmas! 
He is a lifelong Oklahoman who grew up in Bixby and moved to Norman to complete his bachelor’s degree in management information and master's degree in administrative leadership at OU. In his day job--Justin is the Director of IT Services responsible for 30 full-time employees and 70 part-time employees across the Norman, OKC, and Tulsa campuses.
 
The Christmas Store is an all-volunteer nonprofit that has provided a meaningful Christmas an estimated 15,000 times in the last 50 years to Cleveland County families.  
 
This year to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19, the organization came up with a revised plan that includes drive up eligibility screening and drive-up pick up of packages filled with the nonperishables for a holiday meal, a gift certificate to an area grocery to purchase perishables for the holiday meal and gift cards and some gift items for household members. 
Justin noted that in the past clients were able to shop for their items in the store, including the kids for their parents/guardians, and worked to stock and restock the store for two hours.
 
To reduce the number of volunteers and clients in the store, gift items and food will be delivered along with gift cards so clients can select gifts at area stores. The volunteer corps is at a minimum this year--again because of COVID-19--but next year he is hopeful they can welcome more volunteers back. 
 
Also, the store is not able to accept donated items this year because of the expense and concern about sanitizing and storing items during the pandemic. Instead, Justin said they are asking for monetary donations only to keep The Christmas Store going into its 51st year. 
 
The store lost its biggest champion in October--Norman business and community leader Charles Hollingsworth. Justin said donations are being made in his memory which is appreciated by Charles' wife Cheryl and family. 
 
Donations to the store can be made online or via check. Here are the details. Donors can find the secure online donation page at this link on the store website. Thank you Justin for joining us to share about this wonderful holiday tradition benefiting our friends and neighbors.