JUNE 11 GUESTS
Lt. Governor Pinky Paxton, resplendent in her official red coat, joined us Tuesday. Amy Neal brought camp director, Ellen Mallonee. Brian Blount introduced Joe Kennesh as a guest for the last time, since the Board has his application and check in hand. Rich Lewis introduced his friend, Tom Gates, from Dain Rauscher.

BETH GETS THE RAT
Roger the Rat has morphed once again. Rich Lewis inherited the Doggie Lama from Dan Marples. Rich brought his guest on Tuesday and was able to pass the creature onto the next victim. It seems the Doggie Lama got into a fight with an alligator and ended up as a rather air conditioned gator. Rich presented the ‘gator to Beth Klingele who will now have to live with it until she brings a guest.

PINKY AND STEVE SHARED THE PODIUM
Lt. Governor Pinky Paxton took the podium to thank Velma for all her hard work, and give Velma a toy to hug. She introduced our incoming Lt. Governor, Steve Emhoff. Steve is fresh from training. Next year's project is Drunk Driving Awareness. Next year's convention will be in Yakima.

GOLF DAY JUNE 25
Lynn Smith reminded the group that our annual Golf Day at the Elk’s course is June 25. He has a sign-up list for guests or those who want to donate prizes.

SWIMMEET IS JUNE 28-30
Barb Greco announced that the annual Kiwanis-YMCA Swim meet will be held June 28-30 at Eisenhower Pool. Club members will fix breakfast for swimmers and parents. They also need announcers and timers.

ROGY WORK DAY WAS A GREAT SUCCESS
John Warren reported that the June 8 Kiwanis Work Day at Camp Roganunda was a big success. John said that 24 of our members helped out. There were four members from the Sunnyside club and two from Apple Valley, along with 13 non-Kiwanians. A total of 495 work hours were contributed to the camp through projects such as plumbing, replacing toilets and screens, painting, and clearing brush. Camp Director, Ellen Mallonee, was very appreciative of all the hard work.

REMINDER: OUR NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE WOMEN’S CENTURY CLUB AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SECOND STREET AND LINCOLN. Parking is available but somewhat limited. Don Kohler promises he will have signs that direct people to parking. Bob Clem will provide the program.

NEW RED CROSS DIRECTOR IS AN OLD FRIEND
Corky Mattingly introduce Cec Vogt, who is her longtime friend and familiar to many as the Greenway director. Cec also heads the state Parks Commission.

Vogt said she has just seven weeks experience on her new job as the local Red Cross Director.
The International Red Cross was founded in 1864 as part of Geneva Convention. Clara Barton founded U.S. version in 1881. The American Red Cross is federally mandated to perform various duties but receives no financial support from the government. Everything is done voluntarily. The local chapter was chartered in 1917.

All Red Cross chapters must do things such as disaster planning, preparedness and mitigation; deliver prompt relief to victims of major disasters, such as fires, tornados, floods and recent events in New York; and provide emergency communication support for military personnel.

Red Cross should also provide services such as prompt relief to victims of single family disasters; provide access to emergency financial services for members of armed forces and their families; first aid, CPR training, babysitting, and aquatics courses; and care giving for the elderly through Senior Companions and Telephone Reassurance Program for elderly disabled and isolated. The local Red Cross chapter responds to about 105 fires a year.

The blood services component is a separate function. Vogt’s unit does recruit blood services volunteers and sharse a building locally. There is presently an alert due to low blood supplies, especially for Rh-, O, A, and B.

The local Red Cross budget is $560,000 per year. It is a United Way agency, which accounts for about 40% of its total funding. Other funds come through projects like direct mail requests and the Real Heroes Breakfast in March, which raises $10,000. The next big fundraiser is Grand Vin on July 20 at the Deatley Estate. There will be wine, food, and auction.

All this fundraising activity is still not enough. The agency has operated in the red for two years. They have some reserves, but it's not enough, Vogt repeated.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer as board member, committee member, get trained to go out on disasters, work with the phone reassurance program, or become an instructor. Also volunteer at events. You could name Red Cross in your will, sponsor events, or just send money.

The Yakima Valley chapter sends a "fair share" contribution of about $60,000 per year to the national organization. However, Vogt says that support comes back in the form of disaster assistance, training, and other services.

At the conclusion of the program, President Doug presented Cec with a check for $5000 from the Kiwanis Charitable Trust Foundation—which she said has already been spent.

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