Sundings (10/18/05)

Guests
Bellingham Club: Ray Crow, Mark Larsen, Rob Pochert, Rob Westfield, Jamie and Jim Voss.
Whatcom North: Hilary Baumstarck, Gary Snyder, Pete Kremen.
Also, Susan Radonski-Anglada and Mike Cohen.

Flag Salute and Invocation by Bill Gorman.

Bucks in the Bay
Phil Hageman - grateful for three new projects that Pearson Construction has recently completed;
Donna Edquist - please support the "bikes for sale" program to benefit Bellingham Boys and Girls Clubs, 9 AM - 2 PM Saturday at the B&G club;
Patti Imhof - missed meetings, trip to NYC with daughter;
Christine Palmerton - missed meetings and trip to NYC;
Gordon Plume - 28-yr anniversary, Sun Valley trip and chance to spend couple hours with Anna at airport;
John Templeton - trip to Cabo and $50 for a birthday!!!
Curt Smith - upcoming "slanted" article in Time magazine which mentioned him by name;
Jerry Simmons - birthday, missed meetings, hoping for a Husky win someday;
Brad Cornwell - for the Ducks win over the Huskies!
Anna Williams - 29th anniversary;
Mike Kirkland - for a successful Barkley Autumn Trail Run last Saturday;
Art Runestrand - for Whatcom Symphony Orchestra, and photo of granddaughter (swimming) in last week's Herald;
Bob Jones - also for Whatcom Symphony Orchestra;

Sergeant at Arms - Patti Imhof
Hunting season, Grape & Gourmet ticket holders, Templeton Tepleton, COB employees, Brummel Brummell, Todd Ramsay, attorney jokes.

Program - Bill Unrein introduced the club to a proposal to help in the construction of a new facility for the Bellingham Food Bank. It would be a multi-year project involving three Bellingham Rotary clubs. Estimated cost around $2 million, of which the three Rotary clubs would contribute about $200,000. If we are successful with fundraising events like the Grape & Gourmet, the Food Bank project should not curtail any of our existing charitable giving. Bill suggested that we vote on "conditional approval" to proceed with this project in two weeks.

Phil Hagemen spoke to the need for a new facility. He has been a supporter of the BFB for many years. It is for the people in our community who are stretched to the limits, often homeless or on the verge of homelessness. You see a wide cross section of people there, young to the old, locals and immigrants. It means proper nutrition for many children whose families depend on the BFB. The BFB is an important asset to our community and often goes unrecognized. A new building there would be a lasting legacy for our club.

BFB executive director Mike Cohen spoke about the operation: Last year the facility serviced 3,700 families, or 75,000 visits, 66% came for the first time. Their mission is ONLY to provide food, no other services. Many local grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries and other businesses give to the food bank. Fresh, frozen, dry and canned goods. The building and land was given to them by City of Bellingham. It is located on Ellis Street and would stay in the same spot. Current building has safety and health concerns, and is very inefficient. New building would be 50% bigger, more efficient, covered area for those in line, and most importantly the new facility would reflect the spirit of the volunteers: upbeat, positive, friendly environment. It would provide for the next 15-20 years of growth.

Bill Geyer said that the fundraising would consist of 4 parts:
-contributions from the three Rotary clubs;
-major individual donors;
-in-kind contributions;
-general community fundraising.

Respectfully submitted,
Stowe Talbot