Getting Started
President Todd called the meeting to order at 12:13 pm. The salute to the flag was followed by a moment of prayer given by Marge McCabe. Our voices were raised under the guidance and encouragement of Bob Shankman.
It was noted that we had 15 of our club members present. There were also two guests – both of them our speakers, because Carl seems to have double booked the speakers for today. Kathy Shankman extended a great welcoming message to our 15 members and two visitors/guests present.
Happy Dollars were contributed by: Todd, John, Bob, Buz, Marge and several others (unfortunately, your scribe was not asked to do the minutes until all of the Happy Dollars had been handed in – so some of our generous donor’s names and amounts could not be included.)
Announcements
President Todd reminder all of us about the pancake breakfast fundraiser that took place this past Saturday morning at Applebee’s. This event proved to be a very successful program. For roughly 3 hours of work, little money expended, and not having to set tables and placements, make the food, or wash and dry all of the dishes and silver – we made just over $600. If the remainder of the club members sent in the money for their tickets, we could end up clearing over $2,100.
To all of our club members still holding your pancake breakfast tickets – it would be appreciated if you would kindly send in your checks for those tickets. With your help – we can make this project far more financially successful than the $600 we netted by the end of the event. So please – help out your club.
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Unfortunately, the students of Interact apparently could not find the time to come and help at the event. Our members, and some spouses and children comprised our entire workforce – which turned out to be more than adequate for the scope of work we were responsible for taking care of.
One other thing, the management of Applebee’s was super happy having us there for the pancake breakfast, and told us that ANY time we wanted to hold another such fund raiser, we would be welcomed back with open arms by the restaurant.
Marge McCabe spoke about the chocolate candy fund raising project. We are continuing to ask merchants to only sell the candy for a month or so, thereby not wearing out our welcome. Merchants seem open to helping us out like this. To date, we have posted more than a $1,400 profit. Not bad for just visiting each site once a week, collecting the money and replenishing the stash of candy in the box. Marge asked our members to suggest possible sites for the candy sale. She did find that John’s Barbershop in Newton is selling almost a box a week. That also means that 48 candy bars go out of there door each week. Not shabby !!
Todd spoke about the blue Mason jars on the tables. Your change and some folding money will be applied directly to once again beat back polio on a world-wide basis.
Todd spoke about the Military Vehicle event at the Fair Grounds taking place on April 29 and 30. We are still waiting for the nod to be the only food booth and there. I guess you could say that we are going to hopefully corner the market on this event. Todd will begin circulating the sign-up sheet for that event next week, now that we are done with the pancake breakfast event.
And speaking about sign-up sheets, Todd continues to push the need for more weekly editors of our newsletter to set forward. Honestly, this is quite easy – just about anyone should be able to simply write down what transpired at the meetings.
It was again announced that on September 23, at Denise Current’s farm, there will be a farm to table fundraiser.
Speaker for the Day
Our own Jenny No introduced our guest speaker for today – Tamala Lester, Founding Director and General Manager of The Barnyard Sanctuary, which is located of a 15-acre farm the organization is renting in Columbia, New Jersey. The organization is a 501(c)3 IRS certified non-profit business.
Since the sanctuary was founded, they have rescued approximately 3,500 animals. Presently, The Barnyard Sanctuary is home to more than 300 animals, including alpacas, horses, cows, donkeys, llamas, calves, cats, dogs and a water buffalo.
Tamala explained that the organization is looking to acquire a 150-acre farm so that it will have a permanent home and be able to expand its capacity to provide a sanctuary for a far greater number of animals. They are looking in the Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon County area for such a spread of land.
They are working with realtors in their search for the best facility they can acquire. They are also looking at a variety of funding opportunities, including federally backed small business loans, having the present owner hold paper after a downpayment, renting with an option to buy, etc. They are also constantly raising funds (much the same as other non-profit organizations throughout our area.)
With a new facility, they would be able to build greenhouses, and possibly have disabled veterans help work in those greenhouses. They would also conduct guided tours throughout the new farm, using newly created hiking paths.
Presently, they are rescuing up to 150 animals per week.
This sounds like it would be project that would prove beneficial for the three-county region if it were to come to fruition.
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