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Highlights of October 28 Meeting  Our speaker today was Nancy Metcalf, owner of Bella's Personalized Gifts. Nancy produces and sells a wide array of products, all of which can be personalized. Her products can be found on her website: For everyone in attendance she created coffee mugs with the Rotary symbol - 'Rotary Opens Opportunities'.  One of the Club's November service projects is to help the Salvation Army with their current need for donated blankets to give to the homeless. If you would like to donate any blankets, you can bring them to an upcoming club meeting or drop them off at The Salvation Army office at 605 E. Broadway Avenue in Apache Junction.  The Club has volunteered to serve meals to the kids at the Boys & Girls Club of Apache Junction on November 12. We have also donated $1,000. Highlights of October 21 Meeting  In honor of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, special guest Chief Jerry Monahan from Yavapai College in Prescott, Arizona introduced our speaker Shelby Thomasson, Victim Advocate at Yavapai College. Jerry and Shelby joined us via Zoom. Shelby explained to us that domestic violence can include physical violence, sexual assault, psychological violence and emotional abuse. There are various signs of domestic violence, including excuses for injuries, personality changes, constantly checking in with--and being overly worried about pleasing--their partner, and skipping out on work, school or social outings. How you can help: - wear a purple ribbon during Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- donate to a local womens shelter
- place a flyer in the window of your home
- attend a candlelight vigil
- be a nonjudgmental and supportive ear for someone who is struggling.
Shelby provided the following resouces for additional help: - Crisis Text Line
- National Parent Hotline
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Futures Without Violence
 Jillian Bright and Raquel Guerrero accepted $500 check from the club, on behalf of Black and Gold Youth Football in Apache Junction.  Jeff Mitchell announced that he has been appointed to the Apache Junction Health & Human Services Commission. Congratulations, Jeff! Highlights of October 14 Meeting   Our speaker was Lisa Morrison Cascaden, a Gold Canyon resident who is the Founder of a 'Random Acts of Kindness-Gold Canyon'.The purpose of their non-profit organization is to create items to help meet the needs of others. Members of the group strive to do an act of kindness every single day. They also encourage others to be kind and perform acts of kindness. Members meet the first Sunday of each month between 1-5:00 pm at the Gold Canyon Fire Station Community Room. Individuals interested in learning more and participating can sign up for their Private Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/464755970866850/ The group does not request money, but instead they seek donations and assistance from the community. The ongoing list of needed supplies includes things such as, sewing items, card making supplies, fabric, yarn, poly fill, baggies, etc. These supplies are used to create cards, knitted hats, bags, stuffed animal, medical cushions, wheel chair bags, masks, etc. The completed items are given to a large number of Gold Canyon/ East Valley organizations to distribute to their patients and clientele. Additionally items are given to people who need a little lift and a little cheer. Call or e-mail Lisa for more information about their organization and needs - 480-650-5037 or RAKGC@yahoo.com. October Social    The Club's latest social was on October 10th at 'The Gold Stallion' in Gold Canyon. The food and company were great and a good time was had by all. Highlights of October 7 Meeting  We heard a powerful message at our combination Zoom/live meeting today from Reverend Jason Taylor, President of Other Side Ministries, about his journey from homelessness to serving gourmet meals to the homeless. Jason experienced homelessness when he was 21 years old, and was able to get back on his feet with the help of a good samaritan. His experiences include a degree from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute, as well as time spent as an executive chef in Scottsdale and ordination as a minister. Other Side Ministries was started as an idea and a Facebook event. Jason and a handful of other volunteers served food to homeless people in front of Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS). They fed 250 people in minutes and ran out of food. It was then that he knew he had found his purpose. Other Side Ministries has now served over 10,000 meals. On April 11th 2019 Jason and CASS began the inaugural class of 'A New Beginning', an 8 week course designed to help participants get started in the food industry. Students must sign a contract to 'stay clean', do their homework and show up for class. The course also includes resume writing and mock interviews, as well as helping each student find work. Also in 2019, Other Side Ministries started H.O.P.E. Café (Helping Others Prosper Endlessly) - a kitchen with a cause. The cafe is student-operated and also does catering, which helps students learn and make some money. October Service Project    Superstition Mountain Rotary Club members, along with other community volunteers, participated in an October service project to help the 'Superstition Mountain Food Bank'. The volunteers met at Wells Fargo Bank parking lot - 2891 W. Apache Trail in Apache Junction to help distribute food to those in need. |
