April 30, 2008

            The April 23 meeting of the Deposit Rotary Club included some fantastic news from Rotarian Sue Elinsky with regard to the national Feinstein Hunger challenge.  With this challenge, the Feinstein Foundation in Rhode Island will give one million dollars to hunger-relief organizations across the country.  The funds will be distributed depending on how much local Rotary clubs raise in their communities during the months of March and April.  The more funds raised by each club for a hunger agency, the larger their share of the nation-wide million dollar giveaway.  Our club here in Deposit supports the local Food Pantry.  Sue was very excited to share that she had an initial goal of raising $11,000, which we were able to reach quite early in the efforts.  Sue was able to set a higher goal, hoping to reach $14,000.  As of the meeting on Wednesday, that goal was exceeded by $7.  She has thus established a new goal of $15,000 by the end of April.  I will keep you informed of the ultimate outcome of the Feinstein Challenge!

            In other news, May marks the beginning of Flamingo season!  Rotarians can pay to have someone's yard "flamingoed," which means that in the middle of the night, a covert operation is executed, resulting in the homeowner finding their yard inhabited by a flock of bright pink plastic flamingos.  Flamingo insurance is also offered, whereby one can hope to avoid becoming a victim of one of the clandestine flocking missions, however, such security is limited as another person can pay to override the insurance.  This will be a very amusing fundraising project and really demonstrates Rotary's goals:  public service and enjoyable friendship!  You can check back in future weeks for flamingo stories and photos!