Last Thursday we learned about Finger Lakes Community Action.
Opening and Invocation led by Josh McCrossen
Wellness Report – Everyone seems to be doing ok
Guests: Luis Alonso, our exchange student; Dave and Deb Benedict, Heather Radlis, Shannon Brown, Tracy Zornow
Strange State Laws:
- In Alabama it is illegal to drive blindfolded
- In Arizona it is illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub (though it is ok for them to stand in one)
- In Arkansas you can’t honk your car horn near a sandwich shop after 9pm
- In California it is illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7am
- In Colorado it is illegal to keep a couch on your porch
Announcements:
- Rotary Spelling Be-Cathalon will be on April 20th at the Lyons Community Center. Looking for some members to form a team for our club or to support in other ways such as buying an ad for your business.
Happy Moments:
- Bruce and Gail Chambers have a new puppy, Kinder, who is going through
- Adam just returned from a cruise — had a great time
Birthdays: JJ Cotter, 2/7; Jim DeVolder, 2/9
Club Anniversaries: none
Queen of Hearts. Kevin Mooney did not pick the Queen - the pot continues to grow.
Program: John Zornow introduced Shannon Brown as the Success Campus of Community Action director based in Sodus Community Action Programming — When asked what Community Action Programming is all about she used the metaphor of the story “Stone Soup” that enables the whole to be benefited because many individuals and businesses contribute some small part. They focus on being a “hand up” rather than a “hand out”.
Community Action Programming — focus on trying to ensure everyone who needs food or services receives it. They have over 500 employees and are a not for profit organization. Wayne County Community Action is over 50 years old. It is now called Finger Lakes Community Action. They are based in Sodus with a 14 bed facility, food pantry, and a few apartments to help transition people from homelessness to supporting themselves. They can service up to 36 individuals at their Success House.
Shannon transitioned to this job during COVID. She was sent home to work and found she was not feeling like she was contributing directly to the folks in need. She has loved working here because she knows she is really making a difference.
Introduced a woman, Heather, who was a homeless person that was helped by Community Action. She shared an amazing testimony about her experience with Finger Lakes Community Action — she went from being homeless to having a job, a bank account, her own home (through the help of Habitat for Humanity) – all while being a single mom. She shared that she would not be where she is today without the support, guidance and love she received through Wayne County Community Action.
It was an inspiring program spotlighting all the good that is being done in our County. Thank you Shannon for sharing with us today.