2-28-2013 Meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha

The Feb. 28, 2013 meeting of the Rotary Club of Chickasha opened with a prayer, pledge and one version of "Your a Grand Ol' Flag."

Guest of the club was Jeff Lair.

President Cody White announced that Bob Hunter, a member of the club since 1962 has resigned.

Cody also announced that the club's photos have loaded into the world's largest commercial. You can see the commercial at endpolio.org.

Cody also encouraged members to support the kids participating in the Grady County Junior Livestock show.

Rotarian of the Day was Brad Duvall. He introduced Kim O'Brien and Daniel Farrell of the American Red Cross regional office in Lawton which oversees the organization's efforts in five southwest Oklhaoma counties, including Grady.

Kim said the Red Cross mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

She said Grady County ranked 7th in disasters nationwide for a 10-year period, 1998-2007.

In May 2011, the county was hard hit by a tornado. The Red Cross responded quickly and,

--  Provided 4580 bulk distribution items such as gloves or shovels.

--  Handed out 97 comfort kits which included personal items such as toothpaste and razors.

-- Served 825 meals and 3192 snacks

-- Served 192 families.

Kim explained that Disaster Action Teams (DAT) are the core of the organization's network of volunteers. The provide food, clothing and bedding for victims of disasters. Single family fires keep the teams the most busy. The organization also does a lot of disaster relief education.
Daniel is responsible for recruiting volunteers. He said the Red Cross would like to crease a Disaster Action Team in Grady County. The closes team would come from Lawton.

You can go to www.okc.redcross.org to volunteer online.

The meeting adjourned after recitation of of the Rotary 4-Way Test.