The Rotary Club of
Irondequoit, NY
 
Chartered 1967
Rondequoter

April 11, 2018

Meeting Notes
This week's meeting newsletter editor:  Terri Bastuk
 
Prayer-Rocco
Song-Terri- “Raindrops keep falling on my head”.  
Program Notes
Speaker-Lap Robes for Veterans-Nancy Van Apeldoorn

On a cold, windy, rainy November day in Washington, DC, a Vietnam Veteran sat shivering in his wheelchair while attending the US Marine Corp’s 232nd birthday celebration at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Seeing his need, Nancy Van Apeldoorn, a Marine Vietnam Veteran’s wife, asked several times for one of the blankets saved for attending dignitaries. Finally, one was given to warm Veteran Wally Gekoski.

Inspired by that experience and by her long friendship with Gekoski, a Lifetime Member of VVA Chapter 20 and proud Marine who passed away just weeks after that incident, Nancy returned home with a mission: to warm, comfort, honor and thank as many Rochester area veterans as she could reach.

What started with one lap robe has grown into an organized group of dedicated community volunteers. Lap Robes for Veterans is a not-for-profit, 501c3 tax exempt organization under the umbrella of Finger Lakes Area Community Endowment / Canandaigua National Bank.  Since 2006, volunteers have produced 4,000 lap robes which have been presented to Veterans in local care and hospice facilities, to individual Veterans, and to Gold Star Mothers. Some have been sent to Walter Reed Hospital for returning injured Veterans. Since 2012, each Rochester Honor Flight Veteran has been given a lap robe upon their return to the Rochester International Airport - over 1000 lap robes.

Regular Lap Robes for Veterans sew dates are held at Jackie Lynn’s Discount Fabric Center in Irondequoit. It costs approximately $35 to make each lap robe. Fabric is paid for with donations.  Organizations who fund enough lap robes for an Honor Flight are invited to hand them out to the returning Veterans. Getting to present a Veteran with his/her lap robe is a truly heartwarming experience. The donating organization is also recognized at the ceremony that recognizes the returning Veterans.
 
Nancy graciously acknowledged Irondequoit Rotary Members for their service with a branch blanket.  
 
Contributions/Fines
Many fines for the speaker, passing of Tony Sortino, Lee’s recovery.

Jenny: The anniversary of Russ’ passing, Mary Jo’s pneumonia, Angles of Mercy Pasta Dinner
Louis-trip to CA, Kenn-Polio, Peter-curling finals, walking with Terri, Terri-tricycle with Lola, Dick-scholarships, Lou-for his joke.  
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Join Date
Joyce Soporito
April 1, 1995
23 years
 
Lynn Wozniak
May 11, 2011
7 years
 
Programs
Apr 18, 2018
May 02, 2018 6:15 PM
Honor Flight
May 09, 2018 6:15 PM
R Community Bikes
May 16, 2018 6:15 PM
May 23, 2018 6:15 PM
Bishop Kearney Donation
View entire list
Upcoming Events
Board Meeting
Gigi's
Apr 18, 2018 5:00 PM
 
Ribbon Cutting for Ball Field Scoreboads
Apr 28, 2018
 
United Way Day of Caring
Heritage Christian Home
May 10, 2018
 
Board Meeting
Gigi's
May 16, 2018 5:00 PM
 
Camp Haccamo's 6th Annual Car, Truck, & Cycle Show
The Mall at Greece Ridge (In Front of Macy's)
Jun 02, 2018
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
 
Sponsors
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Attendance: 14 members, 1 guest
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Vice President
 
Secretary
 
Treasurer
 
Club Service
 
Community Service Chair
 
Foundation
 
PR
 
Bulletin
 
Webmaster
 
Past President
 
Membership
 
Parliamentarian
 
Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
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