On Saturday, November 22, Trent Ridley, THDA’s Chief Financial Officer, and Debbie Reeves, Director of Business Development, were privileged to work at Operation Life Ring, an initiative sponsored by Cedar Glen Subdivision, City of La Vergne, First Tennessee Bank, La Vergne Rotary Club and Life of Victory Christian Ministries.

This event offered information and various types of help to the residents of La Vergne and Rutherford county. THDA offered information on the THDA Great Save refinance program for people who have ARM loans, and are in a financial hardship situation. But more than that, our partners, who were also exhibitors and speakers, were able to offer all attendees a ray of hope through the provision of foreclosure counseling, job opportunities, loan solutions, legal aid, and provision of food sources through food pantry locations.

Roxann and I wish each of you a very Happy New Year and pray that the new year brings good health and prosperity.

2008 was a good year. While all us experienced some times that caused us concern, sadness and bereavement, we all have a lot to be thankful for. We are in a position to serve our fellow man and live in the greatest country in the world where peace and opportunity abound.

I pray that we never take that for granted and that we continue to support our troops and their effort. Whether or not you agree with the war effort, the military personnel are our sons, brothers, children of friends, the youngster who used to deliver our papers, the young men and women we watched in athletic events. They are just doing what they feel is right for this country and following in the steps of their grandfathers and fathers.

We thoroughly enjoyed all of our club visits and the reception we received during the first six months of this Rotary year and will miss the opportunity so see all of you again at your club meetings.

Roxann and I want to wish everyone a Happy Holiday season and hope all have safe travels as you spend time with families this year. 2008 has been a good year and we have lots to be thankful for. We completed all of our club visits and have been proud to represent President D.K. Lee and support his “Make Dreams Real” theme. Rotarians in District 6760 have received his goals for our focus on our “most precious resource” in each of our communities, and that is our children. We are more aware of our children and the children of our communities at this time of the year as we concentrate on giving. to those in need. Thanks to all the clubs who participate in programs at this time of the year to bring cheer and smiles to children who need uplifting.

I look forward to 2009 and the second half of our Rotary year as we continue to work on our club and district membership and foundation goals.

Thank your for your support and encouragement.

Larry Boyd

Please note the deadline for submitting the two applications chosen by each Club (one male and one female) to me - March 1, 2009. If you have any difficulty meeting this deadline, please let me know. Also, please note that the two applications you choose to forward to me should be sent to me at my work address, not my home address. All this information is in the attached memo.

You can download the application at our wonderful website - www.rotary6760.org, choose Site Index, then Will R. Manier Scholarship, and then Application.

Contact me if you have any questions - and Happy Holidays to everyone! Shirley

Shirley Jones
Vice President of Public Affairs
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 1904
Jackson, TN 38302-1904

The annual pancake breakfast sponsored by the Murfreesboro Rotary Club was a huge success on Saturday morning (12/13/08). The event was held in the cafeteria at Middle Tennessee Christian School on Memorial Boulevard.

One Rotarian commented, “This is a great event where old friendships can be rekindled and new ones created. I watch three men sit down, eat breakfast and talk for almost two-hours. I’m so proud of our club for having an event that promotes this kind of positive spirit.”

Proceeds from the pancake breakfast help the numerous charitable organizations that are supported by the Murfreesboro Rotary Club.

See more pictures at WGNS Radio.

Roxann and I hope all had a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for and it shows in the continued generosity from all Rotarians in 6760. We need to continue this spirit of giving as we approach the upcoming holiday season. We almost have 100% participation in the Gates Challenge for PolioPlus and soon I will report the total given by the 65 clubs in our District.

Please seriously consider individuals for District Governor 2011-2012. The deadline for submission to the Nominating Committee is December 15, 2008.

We are almost half way through our Rotary year and I hope your are well on your way to meeting your goals for the year. Please continue to concentrate on your membership and Foundation goals that each of you provided last spring.

We are almost through making our official club visits and is has been fun and rewarding. While each club is different, we are all still the same as we strive to practice the “Service Above Self” theme in all we do in our communities and abroad. Thanks for all you do. We are proud to serve and represent Rotary and District 6760.

Larry F. Boyd
lboyd6760@boydpromotions.com

District Governor Boyd, and Club president Jane Pennington are shown with sponsor, Deanie Gregory and new member Cindi Milam (Rotary 1); sponsor, Deanie Gregory and new member Tara Bessling (Rotary 2); sponsor, Rob Wheeler and new member Judy Kirkland (Rotary 3). Forth new member Nan Pazdro, sponsored by President, Jane Pennington. was not able to be present that day.

Members of the Jackson Old Hickory Rotary Club gathered to assemble 277 Thanksgiving Food Baskets to be given to those in need. It has been estimated that the club has provided over 3,000 baskets which has feed more than 15,000 people since 1996.

Russell Clarkston has made arrangements for twelve years with Kroger Foods, Central Distributors of Jackson and several agencies that help distribute the food baskets.

These organizations are United Way partners such as Boys/Girls Club, Salvation Army, RIFA, The Care Center, Operation Hope, ASPEL Manor, Youth Town and some area churches.

The money raised by club members donations help pay for the $20.00 basket which helps feed a family of five a Thanksgiving dinner. The members gather in fellowship to assemble the boxes for distribution. Ricky King who help start this program says it has been a meaningful humanitarian project for 22 years that helps show that Rotary cares. For further information you may contact Glen Vanderford at www.gv6760@bellsouth.net.

Please remember that Testing for bone marrow matching is available in our district. If you hear of someone in your community who needs a bone marrow donation, and for whom there is no relative who matches the patient, then please contact me. I will be happy to help with fund-raising, furnish experienced Rotarians to volunteer, speak to any club, and equip any of our clubs for a drive. Through this effort, we know of several lives that have been saved. The Rotary Club of Brentwood has had a history of a Bone Marrow Testing Committee since 1995. Please contact me if you know of a need related to this committee’s work.”

Tom Burton
tburton@agapenashville.org

An estimated 15,000 displaced earthquake victims are trying to withstand a fridgid upcoming winter in southwest Pakistan.

ShelterBox has issued an urgent appeal for funds to help provide aid to tens of thousands of displaced people in four countries following a succession of humanitarian crises.

Response teams from ShelterBox reacted quickly to distribute emergency aid to victims of the 29 October earthquake in Pakistan. And worsening humanitarian situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras, and Swaziland have stretched operations to the limit, ShelterBox representatives say.

“This is a life-or-death situation. Families who have lost their homes are in desperate need of shelter and warmth,” says Sally Grint, ShelterBox communications and fundraising manager. “Donations are urgently needed to fund further deliveries of aid.”

In southwestern Pakistan, a ShelterBox response team provided 1,000 containers to families left homeless after a powerful earthquake rocked impoverished regions there, killing at least 215 people and causing widespread destruction.

Each container provides a tent, a stove, a water purification kit, blankets, tools, and other necessities to help a family of 10 survive for six months.

Mark Pearson, response team leader on the ground in Pakistan, says winterized tents are desperately needed to shelter an estimated 15,000 displaced villagers trying to withstand frigid nighttime temperatures.

“We assessed the scattered villages around Ziarat District, and almost all the mud-brick houses were destroyed,” Pearson says on the ShelterBox Web site.

Pearson praises the logistical support provided by local Rotary clubs. “The clubs in Quetta and Karachi are invaluable in the operations here, providing flights, security, accommodations, interpreters, and local knowledge,” he says.

In Congo, an estimated quarter-million people are seeking refuge from fierce fighting between rebels and government forces. ShelterBox has provided 200 containers and has committed to deliver 200 more.

A response team also distributed 200 containers to residents of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, after heavy rains and flooding forced 22,000 people from their homes on 22 October.

And a ShelterBox team in Swaziland is distributing aid to children orphaned by AIDS in an ongoing program with the National Emergency Response Council on HIV/AIDS.

The ShelterBox program was launched in 2000 by Tom Henderson, a British Rotarian and former Royal Navy search-and-rescue diver, who is the charity’s CEO.

To make a donation, visit ShelterBox online.