President's Message 05/15/2020

“It is our duty to love the unloved, help the helpless,
and bring hope to the hopeless.”
– A.D. Williams
 
Friday morning the Club will Zoom meet at 7:30 AM.  The link is: https://zoom.us/j/960101367
 
This Week's Speaker:  Ms. Nesha Mason
Executive Director, The Drake House
 
 
Nesha Mason brings diverse skill set with more than 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. Nesha worked as operations director in the private sector before transitioning to public service serving as Mayor for the City of Abilene, KS. After her tenure as an elected official, Nesha served as Program Director for a county-wide non-profit developing programs that united the medical and early childhood communities. Upon relocation to the Atlanta area in 2013, she served as a Fulton County educator then transitioned to executive director of a state-wide educational foundation focusing on unifying education and workforce development. A graduate of Florida A & M University, Nesha holds a B.S. Journalism specializing in Public Relations, as well as numerous certifications in public administration.
 
 
Rotary Shout Out!
A big thank you goes to Olga Narvaez, for authoring and executing two international grants during the pandemic.  The first grant was to Panama City in Central America for $41,500.  The second grant was to Colombia in South America for $56,824.
 
The scope of both grants was to:
"Buy essential PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) for Health Workers, currently fighting COVID19, provide food for people that due to lockdown are unable to work, and supply the Department of Health with needed equipment for the hospitals (ventilators and others) so that the current disease mitigation efforts may continue."
The Rotary Club of Alpharetta's contribution was $5,000. The rest of the grant contributions were provided by the Districts, cash contributions, and the Rotary Foundation.
 
GREAT Job Olga!
 
 
District 6900 Celebration – June 20, 2020. 11:30 AM
Bibb Mill Event Facility, Columbus, GA
  • 11:30 AM Jimmy’s Fish Camp with Happy Hour
  • 12:30 PM Lunch and Awards Ceremony
 
Alpharetta CVB's Initiative - Downtown Alpharetta: OPEN FOR YOU!
While keeping the health and safety of Alpharetta residents and visitors in mind, many Downtown Alpharetta businesses are opening their doors to once again welcome patrons. The Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau is keeping the most up-to-date Downtown Alpharetta opening information on a dedicated webpage titled “Downtown Alpharetta: OPEN FOR YOU!” where Downtown Alpharetta business opening details are updated daily. Whether in-person, online or curbside pickup, the community can help support these local businesses in the most comfortable way for them.
If you hear of a Downtown Alpharetta business that would like to be included and is not on the list, please tell them to email their business update to info@awesomealpharetta.com.
 
Rotary Club of Alpharetta Swag
Below is the latest Swag Catalog which includes some great new options along with our Signature Favorites!
 
 
**Please submit your orders by Noon on Monday, May 22nd** 
 
Any questions, please contact Heather Demis!
 
 
You have heard that The Global Impact Group and Volunteer Surge are recruiting and training Rotarians as volunteers to serve a variety of in-person and TeleSupport needs in our communities impacted by Covid-19.  Several Alpharetta Rotarians have completed training. A non-profit organization providing shelter and services to the homeless, has an urgent need for 40 volunteers here in Atlanta.
 
Urgent - Atlanta Homeless Opportunity: Built to Zero
 
We have recently partnered with an organization called Build to Zero that supports homeless shelters in 81 communities around the country.  Built to Zero will have opportunities for those who have taken the Volunteer Surge Community Health Workers course, and in the future, TeleSupport course trainees, throughout their national network. Immediately, however, they have a pressing need for volunteers in Atlanta, to work in person with their teams.  The work place will provide Personal Protective Equipment and will not involve direct contact with homeless clients. CHW Volunteers will support the Built to Zero organization staff as they provide services.  If you would like to volunteer in Atlanta, please click here to apply:
 
Should you or your Club members have any questions, please ask them to reach-out to Scott Doll (b.scottd001@gmail.com) or David Cochran (dscochran1@gmail.com ).
 
 
United Way Atlanta is broadcasting the 211 Resource Center information above as broadly as possible. We never know who may be in need. Or, who someone may know who is in need and simply doesn’t know where to turn. Please let everyone know, they are not alone. We are here. And will do all we can to help minimize the personal impact of this pandemic. And while this card is for the Greater Atlanta area specifically, the 211 phone number spans the USA. Beyond Greater Atlanta, each local United Way (typically by county) will have a local team of responders. By calling 211, folks will connect with local resources wherever they are.   
 
In Greater Atlanta, whatever the issue, please ask folks to reach out to 211, 24/7/365. I am advised, due to a very high call volume, it is best to TEXT 898-211. We are experiencing levels of immediate need like we have never seen in Greater Atlanta. We ask that folks be patient, yet persistent when they contact 211. There is no other organization with the breadth and depth of resource connections as United Way of Greater Atlanta.
 
 
Non-Profits That Need Your Help!
 
 
 
The Drake House Donations: https://thedrakehouse.org/donate/
North Fulton Community Charities: https://nfcchelp.org/nfcc-response-to-covid-19/
The Food Pantry is open, and you can make financial donations via their website
 
Senior Services North Fulton: www.ssnorthfulton.org
This past week we have seen a new trend in calls from senior citizens who are afraid to go out and shop for groceries.  We foresee adding many new temporary Meals on Wheels clients in the coming weeks/months.  Also, to limit volunteer contact with our current clients, we will be ordering bulk from our supplier to deliver 2-week supplies at a time.  We do not need food donations, just financial help for us to order more meals from our supplier.
 
 
Fresh Market OPEN – NFCC NEEDS OUR HELP LIKE NEVER BEFORE!  If you’ve not participated before, the sign-up sheet is passed around each meeting. This is an easy way to serve those in need by taking breads and other items from Fresh Market to NFCC to be given to those in need. Contact Lee Doernberg.
 
 
MEMBER BIRTHDAYS
  • Charlcie Forehand – May 16th.
WEDDING ANNIVERSARIES
  • Marian & Jonathan Stelling – May 11th (24-Years!).
  • Mark & Carla Sullivan – May 12th (36-Years!)
 
Stay Well.  Stay Strong.
Will Daniel, President 2019-2020
Rotary Club of Alpharetta