ODDFELLOWSCALIFORNIA LODGE 1 Lodge website http www ioofcal
ODDFELLOWS-CALIFORNIA LODGE #1 Lodge website: http: //www. ioofcal 1. com NOVEMBER / DECEMBER- 2020 Pomeroy Recreation and Rehab Center, 207 Skyline Blvd, San Francisco, Across from Lake Merced Meetings: 1 st & 3 rd Tuesdays at 7: 30 p. m. (preceded by fellowship at 7: 00 p. m. (followed by Treats after the meeting) MAILING ADDRESS: P. O. Box 5566, South San Francisco, 94083 -5566 Noble Grand – Terri Stevenson – (650) 303 -8426 Vice Grand – Rose Schneider – (559) 246 -2245 Treasurer – Terry Giannini (650) 922 -2160 (home) Financial Secretary – John Fraher (650) 342 -7188 (home) Secretary – Tammy Manini (650) 952 -0154 Social/Charity Coordinator - Terri Stevenson DDGM: Bonnie Manzon-Sellers e-mail: batcatsnake@yahoo. com Telephone #(415) 269 -3284 Page 2: Page 3: Page 4: Page 5: Page 6: Page 7: Meeting summaries Thank you letter, New Member information Looking forward; Charity, Social and Zoom events Treats Responsibilities, Attendance/Raffle Winners Sunshine Chairman, Poem Winter Holiday Charitable Donation Opportunity ZOOM MEETINGS: ® ® Tuesday. November 3 rd – No Meeting: Election Day Tuesday, November 17 th – Zoom virtual meeting Tuesday, December 1 st – Zoom virtual meeting Tuesday, December 15 th – Zoom virtual meeting *SEE PAGE 4 FOR INFORMATION OF JOINING A LODGE ZOOM MEETING. UPCOMING EVENTS AND SIGN UP DEADLINES: **For events, see flyer posted on lodge website – www. ioofcal 1. com for sign-up information – See page 2 following for additional information
From Terri Stevenson – Noble Grand MEETING SUMMARIES Some of our members have not been able to join our ZOOM meetings and are feeling out of the loop. In order to catch everyone up, we will be summarizing the content of our meetings in the newsletter going forward. September 1 st – Member, Lori Scott, lost her house and everything in it to the Boulder Creek Fire. She is staying positive and was sent info about the Grand Lodge Disaster Relief Fund. Grand Lodge has given us the option to keep our 2020 officers for 2021. Dennis Milton motioned to keep all officers the same and Rachael Higgins seconded it. The motion was passed. Three new members were voted in; Summer Niskanen, as well as Jason and Christina Drogin. Welcome to all our new members!! September 15 th – Haim reported that Jesse Gutierrez is doing better. Member Kenny Nunes had shoulder surgery and a thinking of you card was sent. John Fraher and Dennis Milton will sponsor a blood drive for the time period of January, 2020 through November 15 th, 2020. Anyone donating blood or platelets between these dates will receive a $25. 00 Amazon gift card. Carol Fraher suggested a game afternoon/evening online social event. This idea was well received. 20 members were in attendance. October 6 th – Long time member, Rich Hale, was in attendance. He has been a member for 24 years and lives in Fair Oaks. It was also nice to see our new member, John Menti, as well. Maritza Muller has RA and has been in a lot of pain lately, so the Sunshine Committee will send out a thinking of you card to her. Gundy Feil, another LONG time lodge member has been in a lot of pain and a thinking of you card was also sent to her. Sympathy cards were sent to Louise Vicino and Tony Vicino upon the passing of Louise’s sister, Nancy, who was 105 years old! October 20 th – Dan De La Torre, Noble Grand, paid us a visit. He extended his greetings to all of us and shared his lodge’s experience during the Corona Virus. Member, Doris Baille, Terry Knudsen’s mother, had a fall. She is doing much better, and a card was sent. We have renewed our CD at Sterling Bank for one year. We also spoke of our 2021 stimulus payment to our Lodge members who are in good standing.
A donation of $200 was recently sent to the Centerville Free Dining Room, which Julie Ballard volunteers at several times, per month. The attached letter is a response thanking the California Lodge No. 1 for this donation. Dear California Lodge #1 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, The Steering Committee of Centerville Free Dining Room would like to express our appreciation for your generous donation of 8/18/2020 for $200. Unless specifically donated for other uses, all money received by Centerville Free Dining Room is used to buy food, necessary supplies and equipment to feed and serve the homeless and hungry. During July, 2020 we provided 2 sack dinners, once per week, so we could observe the social distancing requirements for this essential service under California’s shelter-in-place order. As you may know, many of our volunteers are retired and are considered to be in the high risk group for the coronavirus. By limiting the number of dining days during the month, we can continue to operate with fewer volunteers. Unfortunately, we had to discontinue counseling services, but the City of Fremont shower van and HOPE project medical van have continued to come on site both on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide their services. Because of social distancing, we will not perform surveys for the foreseeable future, but we do know that we are serving 150 sack dinners per dining day (Tuesdays only), which translates to 600 meals served during the month of July. The Dining Room depends entirely on donations and volunteers from the Tri-City community that feed the less fortunate. We have no paid employees, nor do we get and federal, state county or city funds. We are grateful to God for your interest in this ministry. Sincerely, Susan Fritz, Co-Director ***** Applications for new membership, received from Brian Martinezmoles. Report of Interviewing Committee; Carol Fraher and Terry Giannini spoke very highly of this new candidate. Terry made a motion to accept Brian as a member, seconded by Carolyn Milton, motion was favorable. Welcome to our newest member; Brian Martinezmoles
NOTHING TO REPORT BACK AT THIS TIME, AS ALL EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED OR POSTPONED. In order to maintain the safety of our members, all in person social events have been cancelled through December 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Social Committee is currently exploring ways to hold socials in a safe manner. More details to follow. You are each in our thoughts. We know this can be a very isolating and lonely time. If you need someone to talk to, do not hesitate to call Terri Stevenson at (650) 303 -8426. CHARITIES – Refer to page 6, of this newsletter, for an upcoming Charity event, sponsored by the lodge, and members generosity. BLOOD DRIVE – Dear Members; there is just a few weeks left for our 2020 Blood Drive. Thank you to those that have already sent me an e-mail (john. fraher@att. net) of their contributions. You can donate at any location you choose. If you can’t give blood, you can always make a donation of $25 or more to any blood center. Those that donate blood or a cash donation throughout 2020 up until November 15 th will receive a $25 gift card as a way of the lodge saying “Thank You”. HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT / BINGO – Sunday, December 13 th. See flyer posted on Lodge’s website. Open to the first (30) thirty family households. Starts at 2: 45, check-in time with Zoom Mistress, Terri Stevenson. JOIN THE ZOOM LODGE MEETINGS – We have been conducting our Lodge meetings via Zoom. These meetings have been very enjoyable for all of us who have attended. Many members who live far away or may not be as mobile have had the opportunity to participate and really enjoyed it. It has been wonderful renewing old friendships in this manner. The meetings consist of a 15 minute social from 7: 00 p. m. -7: 15 p. m. with the business portion commencing afterward. If you would like to attend the meetings, you will need to download the Zoom application on your phone or computer. The Noble Grand sends out the ZOOM link for our meetings to every member via e-mail and ONE CALL phone call and e-mail. We have had a lot of fun having meetings on ZOOM as members that usually don’t attend meetings at the Pomeroy Center have been joining in this way. If you have any questions, please feel free to call Terri Stevenson at (650) 303 -8426.
TREATS RESPONSIBILITY Each meeting we bring wonderful treats to our lodge. Most of us just do it once a year, so it may be hard to remember what is required. Following is a checklist to help when you are bringing treats: NOTE: Treats budget has been increased to $200 which includes appetizers, main dish, and something for dessert 1) Sign up with Rose Schneider – e-mail: rosdela 2012@gmial. com (or at a lodge meeting to arrange to bring treats) 2) The treats limit is $200, excluding drinks and paper products. They are already at the Lodge. 3) Arrive at the hall by 7: 00 pm 4) You will probably miss the meeting the night you have treats. If you need to report on something, get a helper. ATTENDANCE AND RAFFLE WINNERS: As an incentive to those who attend meetings, there is a name drawn at each meeting, and the winner receives a $$ prize. September 1 st – 20 members September 15 th – 20 members October 6 th – 25 members October 20 th – 21 members ZOOM MEETING No raffle held BOARD OF DIRECTORS 3 -Year Directors Mike Knudsen Rose Schneider Carol Fraher 2 -Year Directors Terri Stevenson Tim Higgins Tony Vicino 1 -Year Directors Keith Fitzpatrick Carol Milton Tom Manini →The Lodge wants to remind you that we are here for you if you need us. We take seriously the Odd Fellow Creed of Faith, Love and Truth and want to spread our fellowship to all members. Whether you are active in the lodge or not, you are always welcome to meetings and events. Please send us a note, if you care to, and just let us know how you are doing, and if there is anything your lodge can do for you. You can e-mail us at: ioofcal 1@gmail. com or mail us at: California Lodge No. 1, P. O. Box 5566, South San Francisco, CA 94080 -5566. Remember to visit our website and catch up on all the planned events for 2018, http: //www. ioofcal 1. com
Sue Texeira, Sunshine Chairman, reports that cards were sent to the following lodge members: Sympathy card sent to the family of Dutch Vogel upon his passing Dutch was a long time Lodge member. He will be missed. Sympathy card(s) sent to Tony Vicino and Louise Vicino upon the passing of Louise’s sister / Tony’s aunt Get well/thinking of you card to Doris Baille, who took a fall Get well/thinking of you card to Kenny Nunes – recently had shoulder surgery Get well/thinking of you card to Gundy Feil, she sustained a fall. TO Maritza Mueller – who is suffering from RA and is in pain A poem by Phyllis Cole-Dai May we all survive to another birthday My we greet the sun each morning and rejoice in being alive May we breather the miracle of fresh air May we honor every moment as a chance to begin anew May we root our faith in richer soil than worry May we let separation knit us close May we see faces beside our own in the mirror May we recognize ALL people as kin May we stay home to keep them safe May we nourish the body that houses our soul May we have adequate shelter, food, water medicine and rest May we share freely from our abundance May we resist the temptation to hoard May we ask for help without hesitation or shame May we draw comfort from the company of animals, flowers and trees May we befriend the sounds of silence May we welcome the intimacies of solitude May we dive to the depths of our being and bring up blessings we didn’t know we had May we be sanctuary for one another May we refuse to dwell in the blindness of denial, indifference or contempt May we tame our temper and carry no grudge May we empathize even with those we dislike May we listen to each other as though our lives depend on it May we create new rituals of togetherness May we help our society do better than it has done May we base decisions on collective wisdom, rather than contagious fear May we dedicate our daily work both to those we love and to the common good. (Note: this is not the whole poem, but just an excerpt from it) NEWSLETTER STAFF: State Newsletter Editor: Carol Fraher CA #1 Lodge - Senior Editor: Julie Ballard (e-mail address: popcorn 8858@sbcglobal. net) Assistant Editor: Ron Carrey Reporters: Terri Stevenson, Social Activities, Charity Webmaster “extraordinaire” Frank Lagomarsino Newsletter Mailer: Dennis Carrey
Charity: Winter Holiday Charitable Donation Opportunity In our last meeting of September, our lodge voted to conduct another charitable donation for the winter holiday season. As we are all still safely maintaining a social distance during COVID-19, we are not able to have a charitable event where we can gather, such as our Annual Christmas Brunch. We all want to do something to help others less fortunate than ourselves and give our members an opportunity to donate to one of our designated charities. Our members also wanted a chance to decide which charities will be chosen. Our lodge will donate a total of $3, 000. 00 spread out over the first 10 charities nominated by our membership. Below are the 10 charities that have been chosen by our members: Each of the chosen charities will receive our lodge donation of $300. 00 in addition to the amount donated by our members. Please send your donation check(s) made out to the charity (ies) of your choice to: Terri Stevenson, 1085 Grand Teton Drive, Pacifica, 94044. Terri will then send each charity the donation checks along with the donation from our lodge. The deadline to have your donations to Terri is December 2 nd, 2020. Again, please make out the check with the name of the charity you have chosen. If you have any questions, please call Terri at (650) 303 -8426. 1) Monterey Bay Aquarium Day of Discovery – Nominated by Jackie Weiler. The program offers scuba diving experiences for children with special needs. Two volunteer divers accompany the children into the tide pool reef at the Aquarium. Make out your check to: Monterey Aquarium, and note “Day of Discovery” in the memo section of the check. 2) Humane Society of Silicon Valley – Nominated by Julie Ballard who has volunteered here for 3. 5 years. This is a No. Kill Shelter. They offer adoption services and spay/neuter services. They have met the unique needs of families dealing with not only COVID-19 but in some cases simultaneously coping with displacement from area fires and economic hardship. They help Regional Shelters make room for fire evacuees animals. 3) Feeding America’s Hungry Children – Nominated by Terry Knudsen. Their mission is to stop food waste and child hunger, starvation, and malnutrition. The charity obtains excess fruits and vegetables from food brokers, and delivers lifesaving food. 4) South San Francisco Boys and Girls Club – Nominated by Terry Giannini. This is for the purchase of holiday gifts for underprivileged youth. When writing your check, note in the memo section that is if for “the low income holiday gift program”. 5) San Francisco Court Appointed Special Advocate – Nominated by Bob Novelli. This charity transforms the lives of abused and neglected foster youth by providing consistent, caring volunteer advocates, trained to address each child’s need in the court and community. 6) Daly City Partnership – Nominated by Carolyn Milton. This charity supports Daly City residents and other district students to guide collaborative efforts and connect our community to services that promote well being. Some of these are Second Home Family Resource Center, after school academic programs, and healthy aging response team. 7) American Red Cross – Nominated by John Fraher. This organization responds to emergencies worldwide and saves lives and supports people before and after disaster strikes. The donation will be made to where it is needed the most; support of all urgent humanitarian needs. 8) George Mark Children’s Home – nominated by Shawna Fraher. This is a pediatric palliative care center. They provide hospice care and relieve pain and stress regardless of prognosis. This charity strives to achieve greater well being and quality of life for children and their families. 9) Samaritan House, San Mateo Holiday program – nominated by Keith Fitzpatrick. This program provides Thanksgiving meals, holiday food and children’s toys and coats. 10) San Francisco Human Services Agency – Nominated by Rosann Fraher. This agency offers help with food, cash assistance, health insurance, job training, supportive care and more. It supports well being and economic security among individuals, families, and communities in San Francisco. MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY SEASON
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