A Charlotte Rotary Thanksgiving
By Matt Joyner
                 
Ed Turner introduced our three Thanksgiving speakers, club members Michael Elder of Goodwill Industries, Leigh Derby of LifeSpan and Floyd Davis of Community Link. Each speaker shared what he is thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
   
Michael Elder noted that the current economic meltdown is the "perfect storm" in local charity. "In thirty four years I have never seen the demand greater or the resources fewer," said Elder. At the same time as demand for Goodwill Industries' services has increased by eighty percent (80%) over last year, there are unfortunately fewer and fewer resources to meet the need. Given the $20 million shortfall in the recent United Way campaign, Elder admitted that he initially had difficulty getting started on his annual Thanksgiving letter to Goodwill supporters. As he got going however, he realized that he had plenty to be thankful for, particularly for simple, little things like Prices' fried chicken, clean underwear and laughter. Elder found his disposition changing as his list grew and he was reminded that it is always his choice to view the glass either as half full or half empty. Ultimately Elder was thankful for all the Goodwill volunteers and tens of thousands of donors, as well as all the Rotarians in the room who had given unselfishly to help the less fortunate. Elder was thankful to be a member of Charlotte Rotary where, "we do [good] because we're Rotarians."
  
Leigh Derby told the story of a five year old boy in Huntington, Long Island who collapsed and fell down the stairs at his home one day in 1955, falling into a coma due to measles that had turned into viral encephalitis. At the hospital the doctors warned the boy's parents that the illness would probably leave the boy with ongoing motor problems and possible mental retardation. Miraculously the boy survived unscathed. Five years later the boy was in fifth grade watching the special education students at his school filing past his room on their way to yet another field trip and found himself wondering why those students were not in class learning. Five years later still the boy was in tenth grade history class surveying an adult residential facility outside of his classroom window and wondering why the men and women there were usually lounging in bathrobes and slippers rather than out working like other adults. Five years later the boy was a junior in college majoring in business administration when a mentor professor steered him into one course and ultimately a career in special education. Thirty eight years later Leigh Derby is thankful for his beautiful wife, kids and grandkids, and the fact that he has been able to serve severely retarded citizens his entire career after applying for a job out of college at a center for severely retarded kids, then called St. Marks, and now called LifeSpan.
 
Floyd Davis was particularly thankful for three things this year: his work at Community Link, the progress the United States has made as a nation during his lifetime and the renewal of a special relationship in his life with his once-estranged adult son. Davis celebrated the fact that Community Link helped 716 stranded travelers this year, placed 200 formerly homeless in decent housing, helped 287 kids rejoin their families and helped 5,925 seniors and low income people get their tax returns prepared. Davis noted that in high school he picketed the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company for refusing to hire black meter readers, but this year saw Barack Obama become President of the United States and was grateful to see so much change happen in his lifetime. Finally, Davis gave thanks that his 40 year old son welcomed him back in his life this year after nearly 25 years of estrangement. Davis' son visited in Charlotte in September and the two have stayed in touch since then. After Davis wished all a blessed Thanksgiving holiday, Ed Turner concluded the program and Charlotte Rotary gave its thanks to the inspiring trio of Elder, Derby and Davis with a standing ovation.
 
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
     
  
Head Table: Meg McElwain, Michael Elder, Mac McCarley, Ed Turner, Leigh Derby, Floyd Davis, Todd Hawks;
Invocation: Natalie English;
Visitors & Guests: Don Haack; Health & Happiness: David Anderson; Song & Piano: Thomas Moore; Photos: Bert Voswinkel

• Tony Zeiss has edited The Wit & Wisdom of John Montgomery Belk, a collection of stories and reminiscences about this remarkable business and civic leader. Proceeds will be applied to the John and Claudia Belk Scholarship Fund for need-based aid at CPCC. The books will be on sale at the December 2nd meeting and 10% of the sales will be donated to The Rotary Foundation.
       
• Information and applications for the Flight of Honor project can be found at www.flightofhonor.org or through the club's coordinator, Tom Burgess.
      
• Foundation chair John Tabor has put together a letter that will give you a status of donations made to the Rotary Foundation. Keep in mind, the Foundation reports run slightly behind. So there is a very good chance the donation you submitted with your Oct/Nov/Dec invoice is not reflected.
       
• Salvation Army Bell Ringing: Bell Ringers are encouraged to check the schedule on the website. Questions or changes in your schedule should be communicated to Mark Norman.
 
• THANKS to all that contributed food for Second Harvest Food Bank! This first-year effort was well received. Jim Adams reported another successful clothing drive that will benefit clients at Crisis Assistance Ministry. And as Jim so eloquently put it (ha) - if you're like Thomas Moore and forgot your donation - he's going to hold the collection open for one more week. December 2nd will be the final collection.
 
• Carol Hardison, who leads Crisis Assistance Ministry, is on the cover of Today's Charlotte Woman magazine. You will want to be sure to read the inspiring article, written by Shay Merritt.

• Host Dinners on deck: 12/06/08 Patrick Gray; 1/24/09 Mary Ciminelli. Click here for the schedule.
          
• December 16, 2008:  Excellence in Leadership Award.  Rotary Club of Charlotte, Charlotte Business Journal and the Charlotte Chamber will present the 21st winner of the Excellence in Leadership Award on December 16th. Nominations should be emailed to Phil Van Hoy by 11/17/08.  Criteria for the award is available by clicking here.

MAKE-A-WISH
  
Last year's commitment to Make-A-Wish Foundation is about to come full circle. Steve Meckler has been keeping tabs on the planning process and we now know six year old Ellie, who has Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma, is about to have her wish come true - a trip to Disney World. A send off party is being planned at Brix pizza for family, friends, Ellie and her twin sister, Grace on December 9th. If you are interested in helping provide a few special gifts, please consider some of her favorite things: Reese's peanut butter cups, High School Musical, Hannah Montana and piggy's. The wrapped gifts can be dropped off at the Rotary office or check-in desk within the upcoming week.