At the Apr 30, Video/ Phone meeting at 12:30 pm
In the absence of Lynwood Rotary Club President, Gudiel Crosthwaite, Fernando Millan, long term Rotary Club member, and adult leader, along with his wife, Tila, of the Youthact Club, took the lead in sharing info with other meeting attendees.
One of the first things shared among the video meeting participants, were comments about what people are doing differently now that everyone is spending most of their time at home. Several said they were spending more time eating, and also in food preparation. Tila shared that she has now time to get organized, without being rushed. Elsa Chagala shared that now they are eating together at home compared to before where her husband was eating at a restaurant and she was just getting food from a fast food place.
Then there was sharing about community food banks. Now there are more people obtaining from the food bank at Lynwood Emmanuel Church explained Elsa. There is a nation wide organization called “Feeding America Hunger Relief.” This nonprofit partners with the City of Lynwood to obtain food. They bring food on pallets and only charge for the delivery, not the food. The food is put into bags by volunteers at the church. Rotary members are needed to volunteer to prepare the packages on Weds. LUSD and the City of Lynwood are doing distributions 5 days. For LUSD there are 5 locations at 5 different schools.
Other items shared is that Redondo Beach Rotary is having an online auction of collectible items such as Kobe Bryant clothing items. Tila shared that three businesses were recognized for donations: Powerhouse Mortgage Co. in Downey; also the Kong Company in Long Beach; and an organization in North Long Beach that supports homeless and needy persons.
Fernando commented on topics covered at the District Webinar, with the title: “Rotary Opening Doors.” The leader was Kathleen, Deputy Gov to Melanie St. John. One of the themes was how do we ensure that we are providing activities that serve the interests of our members. We need to survey our members as to what topics they would like to have covered in presentations. Also what community support activities members would like. There was the suggestion that each month, possibly instead of a weekly meeting, members would do a community service project, such as cleaning up part of a local park. Also regular newsletters of what is happening and what needs to happen in local communities. Also the suggestion that clubs could join adjacent Rotary clubs for occasional joint meetings.
The Webinar was attended by 60 attendees. And then there were break out groups.
At the Lynwood Rotary Video meeting, there was one question, as to whether the City of Lynwood has mentioned when it plans to reopen. As of the meeting day of April 30, there has been no information available on this important date.
Daniel Miller Public Relations/ Community Outreach Lynwood Rotary Club