1.   Thurs. November 10th is our annual Silly Santa event, at our regular noon meeting.   We raise funds to buy housecoats and fuzzy socks for the 49 Moms at WINGS, the '2nd Stage' Women's Shelter in SE Edmonton.   We know that WINGS provides services and houses women from our area, too, hence the start of this Christmas partnership, 'way back' in 2004.

It originated from a request for toys from a Spruce Grove/Parkland/Enoch youth group through Arlaine's neighbour, Angela Andreychuk, that provided a Christmas party for the children housed at WINGS.   Toys were donated in abundance (to the point that we let that aspect go to other organizations), but the realization had emerged that the Moms there would love a beautifully wrapped gift (an idea from Stephen and Elizabeth Marsh), and the housecoat initiative was soon started!

The Silly Santa event on the 10th is your chance to offer someone in our Club a gift you got last year and didn't use, and/or perhaps something you'd like to share--sort of a white elephant treasure!   The key to raising an amazing amount of money in less than a 1/2 hour, is in the wrapping and the explanation!

Please wrap it beautifully, and put a poem or brief description on it to entice someone to buy it, even fight for it, through bidding!   This will be done by auction, with our 2 talented auctioneers--Elizabeth and Victor.

Also be sure to have 'deep pockets' (or a big purse!) to hold a good sum of money for buying!!  

Your creativity and generosity are very much appreciated.  If you can't be there, please arrange to send a wrapped gift and trust someone with your money to bid on your behalf!

Arlaine Monaghan

Editorial note...

As apparent Arlaine crafted this letter and in another one she indicated to Club Service she needs to bow out of the organization of this event and is looking for other members to carry the torch forward.  If this project is one that inspires you and you would like to help with or lead please contact Catherine Pederson or Mark Radke.  Thanks...

2.  A group of local area folks have organized a Change Summit for the evening of Nov. 15th and all day of Nov. 16th.  Information is in attached link. Below is a letter from Dianne McConnell, Associate Superintendent for Parkland School Division.  As the information in the link indicates the change Summit is being led by Paul Born of the Tamarack Institute.  It seems to be a wonderful opportunity to participate in a regional group that includes the 3 local municipalities as well as representation from the Enoch and Paul bands.

For those who attended the Log Cabin, FCSS Youth, visitation last Thursday, Kristi Sparling made reference to this event.  Since then the Rotary Club of Spruce Grove as well as the other local area clubs have had a formal invitation to join the event. 

The link below does have a place to register.  If you are interested in attending rather than registering on line I would appreciate you letting me know and I will register you.  We have been offered a small number of places at the event although I think if more people want to attend we will be able to find places for you.

Thanks

John