December 12, 2019 Meeting of West Bay Rotary

12 December 2019

 

Buckets on the Table: Shields Mission fuel assistance

 

Today’s Speaker: Audrey Lovering and Reade Brower, One Community Many Voices (501C3)

 

What if and what is missing in Knox County? What was found to be lacking was not enough $$ to prevent folks from falling into crisis. 3 years later, OCMV organization was set up. This is a ‘paying it forward’ program! Goals: Potentials and Dreams have no deadlines; mainstream a process to build confidence in applicants. The program invests rather than assist people in our community. A 5 question application to evaluate need and solve a barrier; they then find a way to help the applicant pay it forward. Example: Elderly independent living, 20% people did not have numbers on their homes, Meals on Wheels asked for assistance with placing numbers on these homes, these folks then helped with volunteer projects for OCMV. Well-being -  Medical procedures, teeth, hearing aids. Employment and skill building – car repairs to keep people employed. Why we do this – People we Serve. 1 barrier/ 1 issue, positive attitude, will to pay the investment forward, have no resources to overcome the barrier, it’s not about the poverty line. Example: an individual needed a laptop to take GED classes on line since classes met when she was working, she paid it forward by helping arrange babysitting with 5 other people that also needed their GED, the result was 5 GEDs in one year with one laptop!

100+ Women who care (Knox County) – meets once a quarter, talk about your charity, and then they choose who get the donation. It is suggested that you come ready to write a check for $50; $2000-2500 is raised on average. Mentoring and project community work with youth.

Events: Ragged Mountain Scuttle; 350 participants, Megunticook triathlon; capped at 200 bikes, Fondo, bike ride; 200 participants, Midcoast race series; walk or run! Looking for volunteers to help with events, join the Email Newsletter, make a donation, spread the word, and follow us on social media. OCMV is slowly growing and invites all to volunteer!

 

Committee Reports   

                      

Tree Sales: We are in our final run, $14,000 in 11 days. There are still openings!!

 

Bruce: Chili challenge prep! Same place as last year.

 

Meals of Hope – still distributing, feedback – they are ‘selling out’! We have 40 boxes remaining. A real ripple effect is happening….moving food to Islesboro!

 

Kristin – Book Club – next month – 2^nd Tuesday of the month – Local Author, Allister Tims – The Killing Moon

 

Auctioned off a plate of cookie (Thank you Deb Fink)!! Whoop Whoop $50!! Jane LaFleur was the lucky winner!

 

Next Week’s Speaker: Robyn Walker-Spencer, Fortissima Female Acapella Group