This week we welcomed Valerie Stewart with East Tennessee Lions Club Eye Bank. She talked about her childhood growing up, in order to compare where she came from to where she is now. She grew up during a rough economic time in a very rural area as one of five children. Her mother had to work very hard at home and was extremely hard on the children. Her mother didn’t value education, let them do homework at home, nor would they allow her go to college. As of her senior year in high school, her father had never carried on an actual conversation with her. He was gone a lot for work and didn’t relate well to the children. So, they didn’t have much of a relationship. Valerie felt very unworthy, unloved and insignificant. This led her to marry an abusive man, that eventually ended in divorce.
Later, she married another man and got her first job outside the home. Because she lacked an education or any technical skills, her choices were limited. She went from working in a cafeteria to later, a receptionist job. She was then offered a position starting up the first Low Vision Center in Knoxville to help people that are nearly blind and can’t be helped with glasses or contacts. She started the company from the ground up and grew it into a very lucrative and successful business.
During this time, she was offered a job as Executive Director of the East Tennessee Lions Club Eye Bank. She reluctantly took the job, without knowing that she was going to be the person responsible for physically cutting eyeballs out of dead bodies. So many of her fears came bubbling up as she wrested with past insecurities and questioning whether she was educated and capable enough to do this job. But she gave it all to God. After all, he had already blessed her with more than she could ever possibly imagine! From that moment on, God blessed her so much that everything she touched turned to gold.
Now the Eye Bank is one of the best in the country! They used to do a few hundred eye donations a year and are now up to 800-900 per year. They continue to grow and are now expanding overseas as well. They also gave $35,000 to the all-inclusive playground in South Clinton, to help give blind children a safe place to play. Everything she has and all that she has overcome is because God, and God alone. He took an insecure, uneducated girl from the country and turned her into a very successful Executive Director of a very lucrative and honest company. She knows the only way that is possible is because of her faithfulness to the Lord and gives Him all the praise!
MembershipVisitors this week included:
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AnnouncementsPlease note that our Rotary District Governor, Greg Maciolek will be with us on October 1st. We would love it if everyone could try to be in attendance that week, as he will discuss his goals and vision for the upcoming Rotary year. On September 28th, we need two volunteers to attend a grant writing workshop in Crossville at the Presidents-elect Training Seminar Orientation (PETS-O). Without our participation in this course, our club will not be eligible to participate in grant programs next year. Please consider volunteering for our club and see Ron if you are willing to help. Please remember to reach out to our fellow club member, John Thompson. Unfortunately, his Parkinson's Disease makes it very difficult for him to get to Rotary Meetings anymore. He has asked that we call to talk and come by to see him if possible. His home phone number is (865) 463-8956 and cell is (865) 292-3021. His address 736 Blockhouse Valley Rd., Clinton, TN 37716. This is in South Clinton. Please give him a call when you get the chance. |
Interact and Rotaract NewsThe 2019 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) has been set for Saturday, September 21, at Camp Nakanawa in Crossville. They have 11 great candidates and are looking forward to a great time. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:30 AM Central time, and the seminar begins promptly at 8:15 AM. See Tom if you are interested in going with them. |
Upcoming SpeakersSeptember 24Mark Littman – Anniversary of the Moon Landing October 1Rotary District Governor Visit October 8Cindy Whaley – Lindsay Wilson College October 15Jennifer LaRue – Rotary Foundation |
Rotary Club OfficersRon Eslinger Club Support OfficersTrey McAdams |
District NewsOctober 24 is World Polio Day. Many clubs around the world hold special events to commemorate this day. At the district level we will once again run the Purple Pinkie Donut Project. More details will be coming your way very soon.
Once again, the Rotary Regional Golf Classic tournament will be held in the Spring. We will need four players again to represent our club. Be looking for more information on this coming soon. If you are interested in playing, please see Ron. |
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We’re sad to report that Past District 6780 Governor (1992-1993) James Andrews passed away on Sunday night. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Cookeville Breakfast. He was an effective governor and worked hard on matching grants in India. He was the District Trainer in 1996-1997. |
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Community NewsYoung Professionals of Anderson County is holding a networking coffee at Clinch Valley Crossfit in Clinton. Clinch Valley Crossfit is not only a ‘young professional’ owned business, but also co-owned by a member of our Rotary Club, David Smith. The event will take place at Clinch Valley Crossfit on Market Street on September 24th from 8:00 – 9:30 am. Hope to see you there! |
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Clinton Rotary Club
Meeting Address: 101 S. Hicks Street Clinton, Tennessee 37716
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 524 Clinton, Tennessee 37717
