MEETING: Friday December 17, 2010 EDITOR: Tom Hymer
Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to Ambucs and their Families
GUESTS: John Knipp introduced Emily Hurst, Director of Development of Interfaith Housing Services and presenting todays program. Also guest of the club, Jan Strecker Superintendent of USD 308. Other guests were here today for an Amtryke benefit donation, see below.
SERGEANTS AT WORK: They found some people who were tardy and they coughed up money for the kids. Oddly they seemed happy about it. Then fines were assessed for bad jokes, jokes so non-memorable that the editor cant remember them or even who told them, however you know who you are. In the end it appeared that the sergeants were short on material and/or unprepared.
TUIT: Renewed member Paul Brown who toted the Tuit around for 3 or 4 weeks gave his report while showing The Tuit decorated in Christmas regalia. However he was saddened that the Father of the Tuit, Brad Thompson, was not at the meeting today. And because of Brads absence Paul pronounced that everyone pay a dollar and gave the Tuit to his nephew Ryan Thompson. MERRY CHRISTMAS. And keep in mind that Ryan will have the Tuit for 3 weeks to make your holiday season the merriest ever.
ANNOUNCEMENT 1: John Knipp said his son is in transport to Afghanistan for military service. Lets honor his sons service and keep him in our prayers.
ANNOUNCEMENT 2: February 6th we will have a Super Bowl Party at The Eagle Room located at City Beverage. More details later.
ANNOUNCEMENT 3: President Rick Mitchell gave kudos to those members who organized and participated in the Salt City Bowl T-Sheet Booth and the Christmas Party at the Airport Steakhouse. He also recognized charter members of the club, Fred Conner, Dean Brigman, and Terry Brigman. Congratulations, gentlemen.
ANNOUNCEMENT 4: Fred Conner recognized all the work in assembling 375 Head Start Christmas boxes with gifts of mittens, caps, and other things, and Dwight Wiehl for assisting in the deliveries.
ANNOUNCEMENT 5: Eric Steinle reported that the Ice Cream Booth generated a net profit of $17,256 up about $1,000 compared to 2009. This money will fund our Community Service projects.
AMTRYKE BENEFIT: Today our club donated an Amtryke that was funded from the Al Strecker Memorial Fund. Doug Foss and Preston Clark introduced Andrea Taylor, 4 years old, her mother Lana, and Bonnie Samuels, therapist. After Rick Mitchell and Preston made some adjustments to the Amtryke, Andrea gave it a test drive. Mom talked about how the Amtryke will be used when they go walking at the mall.
PROGRAM: John Knipp introduced Emily Hurst, Director of Development of Interfaith Housing Services located at 1326 E. Avenue A. Hurst spoke of a program offered by IHS called Individual Development Account that breaks the bounds of poverty through financial education, keeping a budget, and setting goals. A client who engages in the program agrees to starting a savings account toward the purchase of a home, or repairs to an existing home, or work skills training, or secondary education. Savings are matched 2:1 in order to achieve the clients goal. This money is not assistance or a handout. Hurst spoke to the fact that there is a generation of people dependent on handouts and social assistance for a living. Once the pattern is set it is difficult for people to break out of it. It takes training on working, making and keeping a budget, using bank accounts, paying bills, saving money. IDA guides and directs them along the way, sometimes taking months, years. An individual can help IDA by making a donation of $1000 to the program and receive a $450 credit on their Kansas tax return. For more information go to http://www.ihs-housing.org
50/50 DRAWING: Won by Don Grossardt, $21 who donated the money to New Amtryke owner Andrea for a Christmas present. Very nice.
NEWSLETTER DRAWING: It didnt matter because there was no question. Look for a newsletter question in an email to be sent around Monday January 4, 2011.
NO MEETINGS: Friday December 24th because it is Christmas Eve Day, and Friday December 31st because it New Years Eve Day.
NEXT MEETING: FRIDAY JANUARY 7TH, 2011.