For many years the Clinton Rotary Club has provided Christmas for twenty children selected annually by the three elementary schools in Clinton with clothing and toys from their lists. The presentation occurs during a special meeting of the club. Santa Claus is another guest of honor and each family receives a photograph of the child with Santa.
 
The children, their teachers, the principals and the school superintended were treated to lunch with the Rotarians. In the photo above, Secretary Jerry Schlandt is shown as two of the honorees share their gifts. A special gift was made this year by a lady who benefited from such a Christmas years ago. This year, she gave a Radio Flyer wagon to each of the participating schools.

Please make sure your 2008-2009 president, secretary and treasurer are aware of a new IRS filing requirement that takes effect in 2008. Even clubs with less than $25K in gross receipts will need to file a form. For the details, please see the page of information at the link.

In the photo at right, Past President Earl Kear (Knoxville Volunteer) presents a check for $5K to Ginny Weatherstone, CEO of the Volunteer Ministry Center. The mission of the VMC is to assist Knoxville's homeless persons with their immediate needs and help them become self-reliant. For more information on the Center please go to their web site.
 
Members of the club have volunteered at the VMC since 2002 and are particularly supportive of its medical services. Members have served meals, assisted in renovation projects, helped arrange donations of medical equipment from local hospitals, and look forward to additional service in the years ahead. Rotarian Earl has been instrumental in successfully making grant requests to his employer, Smith Barney. To date Smith Barney has donated $20K to assist the VMC.

PDG John Bailey (Knoxville) reported that ten clubs have donated enough money to the Annual Programs Fund that they have achieved STAR club status! In addition to Farragut, the clubs are Chattanooga, Maryville, Oak Ridge Breakfast, Pigeon Forge, Shelbyville Breakfast, Smithville, Sparta, Tellico Lake and West Knoxville. The Sparta club is the first to donate at least $300 per member during this year and the first club in the district to become 100% Paul Harris Fellows.
 
Another 20 clubs have already donated more than $20 per member with many closing in on becoming STAR clubs again this Rotary year. Your generosity in supporting the great programs of Our Foundation are greatly appreciated. Time is getting short to have donations received in time for the 2007 tax year.
 
If your club has not scheduled a Rotary Foundation program yet this year, please call Chairman John at (865) 805-9844 or send him a message at johnbaileyjr@bellsouth.net.

The annual multi-district Ambassadorial Scholar training seminar was held on 12/14-15 in Nashville. Among the 65 attendees were 28 outbound scholars from 11 districts, 12 alumni, 19 Rotarians, 2 inbound scholars and non-Rotarians guests.
 
The three outbound scholars from D6780 are pictured above between Ambassadorial Scholar Subcommittee Chair David Moser (Knoxville) on the right and committee member Mike Burton (Bradley Sunrise) on the right. The scholars are (left to right) Jessica Murphy (Maryville) who will study in Uruguay, Angelo Mangok (Knoxville) who will study in Australia, and Melissa Lopez (Bradley Sunrise) who will study in New Zealand. The orientation included information from scholar alumni, scholar advisor Sandy Urban from the Foundation and General Secretary Ed Futa. This orientation program was developed by a group of dedicated Rotarians under the leadership of Hank Stoner (Maryville).

Last Thursday, the North Knoxville Club presented a check for $18K to the Cerebral Palsy Housing Corp., a group home for persons with cerebral palsy. The annual donation to support for the facility constitutes the net proceeds from the club's annual golf tournament. Pictured at left are President Linda Gay Blanc, Corporation Executive Doug Shipman and Rotarians David Dooley, Bob Sexton and Mark Rosser. The check presentation occurred during a club meeting at which all ten residents and staff of the home were guests. Club members participate annually in maintenance work around the home, accompanying the residents to Smokies ball games and picnics, assisting with employment opportunities, and other activities. It was clear from the interaction that the friendships mean as much to the Rotarians as to the residents.
 
In a surprise presentation, the club members made their Assistant Governor Maryellen Duckett a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of what she means to her club.

Beginning with its January 8 meeting, the Loudon Rotary Club is changing its meeting place to Lakewood Place, located at 1125 Grove Street in Loudon. The meeting day and time remains Tuesday at noon.