Kingston Rotarians were treated to several outstanding programs presented by visiting guest speakers. James Hodges, PhD, of the Edmonds Rotary Club, spoke on the subject “Victory or Death.”
He told how George Washington’s ethical principles of leadership, incorporating the four-way test, overcame all obstacles to win independence for the thirteen colonies.
Richard LeMieux, author of “Breakfast at Sallys,” related his book has inspired many to take action on behalf of the homeless.
One woman pastor in Dunkirk, New York, was inspired to challenge her congregation to create a homeless shelter in a wing of her church. That shelter was named the “Willow Mission,” after Richard’s beloved dog.
In Rockport, Maine, the entire city council read Richard’s book and was inspired to buy an old 64-room hotel and turn it into a homeless shelter. Locally, thousands of people who had become hardened toward the homeless are now moved to reach down and help them and give them hope. Many new meals programs have sprung up and more services are being offered as a result.
In an effort to help the homeless, Kingston Rotarians are considering a meal program in conjunction with local churches. They will also serve as bell ringers for the Salvation Army, and Major Jim Baker, a Bremerton Rotarian.
Interact is up and running at Kingston High School with many interested kids. Members worked on posters and invitations for future meetings and have started a Facebook page so that communication will be easier. Interact has planned meetings every other Thursday at 7 a.m. in the orange pod at Kingston High School.
Earlier this year, the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribal Council presented Kingston/North Kitsap Rotary with an Appendix X Community Award in the amount of $500 toward the purchase of new promotional signage for the blood drives, which are held every eight weeks here in Kingston.
Our club matched the award money and we purchased ten new signs to replace our older abused signs. The new signs are substantially better and more durable than those that they replaced.
The blood drive held on Sept. 3 was the first time they were put into action; this drive tied our previous record for number of donors — 56 — since our club has been sponsoring the event.
We believe the new signs played a part in that success. As they say in business, “it pays to advertise.”
The Kingston-North Kitsap Rotary meets Wednesday at noon at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club. After brief announcements, members enjoy a 30-minute program or discussion of an ongoing community or international project.
All interested North-end residents are welcome to join us to learn more about Rotary. Lunch, provided by Little City Catering is $7.
Come to a meeting and learn what Rotary is all about. For more information, contact Nancy Martin, Membership Chairman, at (360) 297-6640.
