The meeting began with the ringing of the bell by President Fred Timmons. President Fred also led us in a word of prayer and the pledge. President Fred introduced our speaker: Will Bailey, our speaker today from the Good Samaritan Community Services. Will happens to be a member of the downtown Rotary Club.
Thank you, Will, for visiting our Club today! Please join us again soon!
President Fred reminded us to continue selling District Raffle tickets for a chance to win a 6-8 night cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. The seller of the winning ticket wins the cruise also. The 5 destinations are the Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada, Alaska and Europe. Drawing is May 4.
President Fred reminded us about Happy Hour tomorrow and it has moved to Outback Steakhouse. Another way to fellowship with Ro
National Retro Day – takes us back to a time before smartphones and the internet. That was when kids and families talked to each other instead of texting.
National Strawberry Day – strawberries belong to the Rose Family, there are over 600 varieties, best season is late April to August
National Polar Bear Day – polar bears can reach a height of 9 ft and a weight of 1400 pounds
National Kahlua Day – started being produced in 1936. Kahlua is made from coffee and rum. My favorite is a Colorado Bulldog.
This Day in History
1827 – a group of masked and costumed students dance through the streets of New Orleans marking the beginning of Mardi Gras celebrations. Today it attracts 300 – 400,000 visitors.
1936 – Shirley Temple signs a contract at 7 years old to receive $50,000 per film.
1836 - The Alamo is in its 5th day of the battle with Santa Anna that would last 13 days and end on March 6.
James Daniel won the opportunity to draw the 2 of Clubs to win the $200 pot. Unfortunately he drew the ten of clubs and took home a bottle of white wine.
Joe Montagna owned the second ticket drawn and took home a bottle of red.
Rick Tarbell is providing the wine this month - thanks Rick!
James Daniel shared that he recently had surgery to remove a lump on his thyroid. He had an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. He said that is why he has been absent. We've sure missed you James! Welcome back!
Brett Ward had a very busy month working with the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. He reported that Rotary International Exchange Students and their sponsors enjoyed attending this year's rodeo.
Brett also shared that his son Benton, who is 14 yrs old, goes to STEM at Nimitz Middle School and has been accepted into the Agri Science Program at Madison High School. He is excited about that and plans to work in the commercial cattle field.
Our Speaker today was Will Bailey, Chief Development Officer of Good Samaritan Community Services. "In 1951, guided by the parable of the Good Samaritan, members of St. Mark's and the Diocese of West Texas were called to make a difference by furthering their ministry and building a community service center in a part of San Antonio then known as the 'death triangle' because of the high infant mortality rate and the lack of access to health care," says Will. Good Sam’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for change for our neighbors to overcome generational poverty. On their 4.6 acre campus programs benefit all ages including children, seniors and families. In addition to their ministry in San Antonio, they serve neighbors in Brownsville, Wimberley, Sonora and in the upper Rio Grande Valley. Childhood development includes Early Head Start. "This is not a daycare," says Will. "They follow a curriculum." As the children age out many continue on to our preschool program “La Escuelita”. Youth Development Services include an afterschool program, Camp Good Sam, building personal assets (honesty, integrity, achievement, motivation, school engagement, responsibility, planning and decision-making etc.) They have a successful college and career program in High School that helps kids apply for college and FAFSA. Will reports that 1,185 youth in the program planned for a future beyond high school through their College and Career Readiness Programs. Last year $1.1 million in scholarships were awarded. One Good Sam Scholarship is a stipend to help with clothing and meals etc. while the students attend college. One remarkable success is a former student of the program was admitted to Notre Dame University. He became an architect and serves on the Board to "give back". Nationally recognized, their wide range of programs not only help mold the minds of youth. "The Senior Services' activities are designed to promote a holistic approach to healthy living while aging." He also shared that "this is the only nationally recognized senior citizen center in South Texas." The Center strives to "empower and change lives" says Will. To learn more, visit their website HERE! A book will be donated in honor of our speaker to the Locke Hill Elementary School Library.
Get your Rotary District 5840 Cruise Raffle Tickets! Help support the great work of the RI Foundation. Make a donation to the RI Foundation and you may win a 6-8 night Royal Caribbean Cruise! Raffle Tickets are $10 each and will be available at our next Club meeting.
Happy Hour is now at the Outback Steakhouse - the next one is Thursday March 28. We're hoping that this venue to not as loud and we can actually hear each other's stories now....
Rotary Day SA - Sat Mar 23, 2019 at Brackenridge Park 8:30-Noon
Rotary Clubs from all over the area are teaming up to help beautify our fair city! Let's join Rotary Club of San Antonio and make a difference in the community! Sign up at the next meeting or let Mary know. Pat & Mary had a great time last year working with other Rotarians and Interact Clubs! But they felt lonely without their other Rotary friends there....*sniff*
President Fred Timmons closed the meeting with the Four Way Test and challenged us with this:
"Bring someone to Rotary Bring a friend to rotary. we all need to eat lunch, why not enjoy it with Rotarians and learn something interesting during one of our programs."
Ken Ruiz owns the umbrella for January and February. Since Ken was absent we did not have Umbrella Time this week.
Our Speaker today was Will Bailey, Chief Development Officer of Good Samaritan Community Services. "In 1951, guided by the parable of the Good Samaritan, members of St. Mark's and the Diocese of West Texas were called to make a difference by furthering their ministry and building a community service center in a part of San Antonio then known as the 'death triangle' because of the high infant mortality rate and the lack of access to health care," says Will. Good Sam’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for change for our neighbors to overcome generational poverty. On their 4.6 acre campus programs benefit all ages including children, seniors and families. In addition to their ministry in San Antonio, they serve neighbors in Brownsville, Wimberley, Sonora and in the upper Rio Grande Valley. Childhood development includes Early Head Start. "This is not a daycare," says Will. "They follow a curriculum." As the children age out many continue on to our preschool program “La Escuelita”. Youth Development Services include an afterschool program, Camp Good Sam, building personal assets (honesty, integrity, achievement, motivation, school engagement, responsibility, planning and decision-making etc.) They have a successful college and career program in High School that helps kids apply for college and FAFSA. Will reports that 1,185 youth in the program planned for a future beyond high school through their College and Career Readiness Programs. Last year $1.1 million in scholarships were awarded. One Good Sam Scholarship is a stipend to help with clothing and meals etc. while the students attend college. One remarkable success is a former student of the program was admitted to Notre Dame University. He became an architect and serves on the Board to "give back". Nationally recognized, their wide range of programs not only help mold the minds of youth. "The Senior Services' activities are designed to promote a holistic approach to healthy living while aging." He also shared that "this is the only nationally recognized senior citizen center in South Texas." The Center strives to "empower and change lives" says Will. To learn more, visit their website 
Park 8:30-Noon