December Newsletter - Week 1
Announcements
Our annual Children’s Christmas party is next Tuesday, December 12th at noon in the big room of the Community Center. If you bought gifts for a child, please be sure to turn them in by Friday to Jerry’s office in a black trash bag with the child’s sheet and/or name on them. So just to reiterate – gift deadline is tomorrow!!After next Tuesday, December 12th our next meeting will not be until January 9th.
Recap
This week we had speakers Jack Hutchins and Jacob Warren with the Clinton High School Robotics Club. They brought along their award-winning robot with them too! They compete in a First Robotics Competition, among various others, each year. This particular competition gives teams a specific assignment on January 6th of every year. The assignment lists certain criteria their robot must include and specific tasks the robot must be able to complete. They, then, have only 6 weeks to design, build, and practice with the robot before it’s boxed up and sent to the contest. Their robot last year had to be able to throw wiffle balls into a 10-foot goal, include a rope and pulley system, and be able to climb vertically up walls. Everything on the robot is custom made and designed by a team of 20 students in the club with a small budget of only $4,000. They also made an identical robot that they can build to keep and practice with leading up to competition. They also use the secondary robot to enter in other competitions for practice in the meantime. 52 teams competed last year at Thompson-Boling Arena in the First Robotics Competition from schools across various cities and states. They did great against everyone else, beating other schools such as Oak Ridge High School, among others, that have a much higher budget and resources than their club does.The CHS Robotics Club is in dire need of local sponsors to help fund the club. They are also short on qualified mentors to help the students as well. If you or your business would be interested in donating to the club, please contact Jack or their team leader, Ella. They are very deserving of any help you would be able to give!
MembershipWe were happy to welcome the following guests with us this week:
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Other Items to NoteTimely Topics is having an Auction on February 27, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. at the Community Center. They have asked for help in donating items. Proceeds go to fund scholarships for high school seniors and service projects. They are looking for donations including antique quilts, silver service items, jewelry, art work, glass, and gently used furniture. Please have donations turned in before February 1, 2018.Dean Cheatham made an announcement from the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club. They partner with Altrusa International of Oak Ridge to sponsor an annual literacy grant program called Lunch-4-Literacy. Proceeds go toward combating a lack of literacy skills in many of our East Tennessee neighbors throughout the area. He passed out flyers with more information as to how we can get involved. Due to the destructive effects of the Ash Borer bug, Bear has had to cut down 24 ash trees on his property. Anyone that would like firewood is welcome to call him and come get it from his property. You may want to bring your own chainsaw! As many of you know, there was a devastating fire at the Little Ponderosa Zoo in Clinton this week. This is an terrible loss for James Cox, the zoo, and our community. Property was damaged, food storages depleted, and animals were killed. If you can make a donation to help with their immediate needs and expenses, it would be much appreciated! You can donate on their website https://littleponderosazoo.com/ or at WBIR.com |
Looking AheadThe Children's Christmas party will be on Tuesday, December 12th during our normal meeting time, but in the big room this year. PLEASE make sure that if you are buying for a child, that you turn your gifts in to Jerry's office by Friday, December 8th in a black trash bag with your child's list inside and their name on the outside. Please do not wrap the gifts inside either. Keep in mind that the amount to spend this year is $175, which is more than it has been in year's past. Save your receipts and give them to Michael for reimbursement up to $175 per child. This is always an enjoyable and heartwarming experience. If you haven't gotten to experience this before, you are in for a treat! |
Project InformationThank you to those that rang bells for the Salvation Army! Your time is very much appreciated! Salvation Army collects over $400,000 for needy families during the holiday season across 3 counties just from area bell-ringing efforts!The Community Action Coat Drive is going on now! We are accepting new and gently used coat donations in all sizes to help furnish coats for those that don’t have the money to buy one otherwise. You may either drop your donations off at Fox Toyota, MIG or bring them to Rotary with you on Tuesdays. We have collected 85 coats, however, there is still a need for 1,500 more. In the past, our club has collected about 5,000 coats each year for this. We hope this year will be no different! Please see ET with any questions. On Saturday, December 16th, Tom is taking youth groups to Gatlinburg again to help with wildfire recovery. They plan to help clean up home sites that are still burned from wildfires. They are expecting to have students involved across all area local high schools but still need more adults to. It would be extremely helpful as well if you have experience using a chainsaw or are good with a broom. The bus will be leaving from RSCC Oak Ridge and then stop by the Community Center to pick up if you need transportation. Please let Tom know if you are interested and able to go. |
Business AnnouncementsBrian Hunt is inviting and encouraging everyone to attend the Foster Care Christmas Party at Anderson County Juvenile Court on Thursday, December 21, 2017 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Come see Santa bring presents to the foster care children! Refreshments and Christmas spirit will be provided! For more information, please see Brian. |
Upcoming SpeakersDecember 12Kids Christmas Party December 19No Meeting December 26No Meeting January 2No Meeting January 9Burt Rosen – Knox Area Rescue Ministries |
Rotary Club OfficersBill Gallaher Vicki Violette
Ronnie Fox
Jerry Schlandt
Mike Shrader
Gary Coleman
Tom Connolly
ET Stamey
Bear Stephenson
Leighann Green
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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