Todays Thought: There are those who do the work & those who take the credit: be the first type, there’s less competition!
Guests: Dennis Shaw came as the guest of Richard Hernandez.
Announced: Bud Ackerman announced an upcoming round table meeting in late October, stay tuned for details!
AJ Sheridan announced that the club was recognized for its support of the new Dolly Parton imagination library.
Jim H. mentioned Prescott Police department is raising money for its various programs like K-9 and citizen’s patrol; stay tuned for more information!
Sgt. At Arms: Par paid up for being listed as sergeant and not performing her duties! Her mea culpa was for overseeing, but not on top of, the program.
President Jerry has been tasked with bringing trout back from his fly-fishing trip. Tony Shaw has apparently set the bar high for fishing trip requirements.
Everybody was charged a buck because of light attendance. Val was drawn for deer and paid a $50 fine! He is also tasked with bringing venison to a future meeting. Carnivores, all.
Our speaker was Bob Solis with Open Arms Orphanage in South Africa
Bob is from the Rotary Club of Sun City, AZ.
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Open Arms Home for Children was founded by Bob and Sallie Solis of Phoenix, Arizona. After taking a family mission trip to South Africa in 2005, the Solis family felt called to do something about the plight of children orphaned by AIDS in the country.This calling was the genesis of Open Arms and much has been accomplished by this ministry in a short time – thanks to the help of so many people who have joined this effort with their donations, hard work, and prayers.
After that initial trip to South Africa, the Solis family took their life savings and bought the 70-acre hilltop farm that serves as Open Arms Home today. Bob remembers sleeping on the floor on an old mattress in August of 2005—that mattress was the only furniture in the place! Very quickly, funds were raised to buy furnishings and an old car. The Department of Social Development in South Africa followed by granting a license to take in orphaned children and on March 16, 2006, a small two-year-old boy named Sifundo was the first child to come to Open Arms. Every year, on March 16, we rejoice and celebrate our founding day.
THE 700-MILE WALK
In August 2008, because they had reached our capacity constraints at 31 kids, Bob Solis undertook a 700-mile walk.jpg)
across South Africa to raise money to build additional cottages at Open Arms. This walk successfully raised $250,000 which allowed them to house an additional 40-50 kids in the years to come. Open Arms Model:
*Raise children to adulthood
*live in cottages with 7-8 kids
*have a permanent house mother/father
*emphasis on quality care
