President Eileen Foster opened the meeting at 1:30 with a warm welcome to all. Prior to the business meeting, the 30 ladies present enjoyed a “chat & chew” (meet and greet) , a time to connect with each other over delicious snacks provided by Tana Zemanek, Ramona Lalka, Elaine White, and Anne Boyd. Our snack table was set up by Connie Latuszek and Dorothy Kociba.
The ladies brought a huge assortment of school supplies to the meeting which will be donated to Floyd Elementary in Bullock Creek.
We welcomed new members Janelle White, Julie Silvis, Linda Wilson, Joyce Cushman, Carol Osier, Gail Schroeder, and Joanne Dana. We wished a happy September birthday to Mary Derr (2nd) Susie Rademacher (12th), Helen Singer (12th) , Wendy Shields (16th), Naomi Granum (22nd) and Angela Buske (26th). Secretary Elaine White didn’t read the minutes of our last business meeting which was in April. Instead, a few printed copies of the minutes were on all the tables. Minutes previously posted online.
Tana Zemanek, Treasurer, reported our current balance is $16,311.17. The ladies will vote at our November meeting as to what 10 charities will receive $1,000 each. We work together throughout the year to make money, and then we donate money to better our community. In 2022 we donated $1,000 to these 10 charities: Blessed Sacrament Emergency Fund, Global Compassion, Shelterhouse, Toni & Trish House, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Saginaw Emmaus House, Midland Community Former Offenders Advocacy and Rehabilitation, Home to Stay, Wings of Mercy, and the Guatemalan Stove Project. Charities on the ballot last year but didn’t receive funding were Camp Fish Tales, Caregiving Network, Saginaw East Side Soup Kitchen, Emergency Food Pantry, and Tall in the Saddle. Tana asked the members what additional charities should be considered to receive money in 2023. Members suggested the Bridge Food Center, Gateway Family Urgent Care, and Phoenix Community Farms.
Signup sheets were passed around for Cider and Donuts workers on October 15th and 29th, Blanket Making Days on October 11th and 18th, and for bringing snacks to our next meeting.
Ramona L introduced our speaker Deb Plaver from The Bridge Food Center, a 501©3 nonprofit grocery store which is run entirely by volunteers. This grocery store provides opportunities for lower income families to choose and purchase high quality groceries at low costs by providing goods at wholesale prices marked up by 5 cents. This store is located at 1539 Washington St in Midland. The Bridge welcomes individual volunteers or teams for three hour shifts with an experienced supervisor. Please contact Deb Plaver to volunteer. The Bridge has purchased the former Save-A-Lot at 1826 S Saginaw Rd so that they can expand their offerings and offer extended hours. They hope to open at the new location in early 2024. Ramona presented Deb a small personal gift and a check for the Bridge Food Center.
The ladies then played a fun game with a partner and then introduced their partner to the members. Many new interesting things were learned about each of us. Elaine White closed the meeting with an inspirational reading called “Smile”. Our next meeting is on Tuesday, October 3rd at 1:30. Please come.
Respectfully submitted, Elaine White, Secretary